← Back

Spectres

by Blue Öyster Cult

Released: November 10, 1977

Hard rock, heavy metal, occult rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

The Album

In 2007, a remastered version of Spectres was released, which included four previously unreleased outtakes from the original album sessions as bonus tracks. "Spectres" is the fifth studio album by American rock band Blue Öyster Cult, released in November 1977 by Columbia Records. The album includes one of the band's biggest hits, "Godzilla," which became a concert staple and remains one of their most iconic songs.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The album’s cover art features lasers, which the…

The album’s cover art features lasers, which the band had incorporated into their live performances around that time, adding a visual spectacle to their heavy rock sound.

In terms of individual tracks, Spectres includes "Goin'…

In terms of individual tracks, Spectres includes "Goin' Through the Motions," a song co-written by Mott the Hoople's Ian Hunter.

The track was praised by Record World, which…

The track was praised by Record World, which described it as a "thumping, hand-clapping pop-rocker." The song was later covered by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler on her 1983 album Faster Than the Speed of Night.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Blue Öyster Cult - Spectres

Open in Albums Gallery

Then

Reception

Spectres was also a commercial success, earning a gold certification from the RIAA on January 19, 1978.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Spectres" is the fifth studio album by American rock band Blue Öyster Cult, released in November 1977 by Columbia Records. The album includes one of the band's biggest hits, "Godzilla," which became a concert staple and remains one of their most iconic songs. Spectres was also a commercial success, earning a gold certification from the RIAA on January 19, 1978.

The album’s cover art features lasers, which the band had incorporated into their live performances around that time, adding a visual spectacle to their heavy rock sound. In 2007, a remastered version of Spectres was released, which included four previously unreleased outtakes from the original album sessions as bonus tracks.

In terms of individual tracks, Spectres includes "Goin' Through the Motions," a song co-written by Mott the Hoople's Ian Hunter. The track was praised by Record World, which described it as a "thumping, hand-clapping pop-rocker." The song was later covered by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler on her 1983 album Faster Than the Speed of Night.