Credits:Blue Oyster CultDescription:OnTyrannyandMutation,BlueOysterCultachievedtheseeminglyimpossible:theybrightenedtheirsoundanddeepenedtheirmystique.Thebandpickeduptheirtemposconsiderablyonthissophomoreeffort,andproducersSandyPearlmanandMurrayKrugmanaddedalightningboltofhigh-endsonicstotheirfrequencyrange.AddtothisthestarlinglyricalcontributionsofPearlman,rockcriticRichardMeltzer,andpoet-cum-rockerPattiSmith(whowaskeyboardistAllenLanier'sgirlfriendatthetime),thesplitimageryofSideOne'sthematic,"TheRed"andSideTwo's"TheBlack,"andtheflip-to-wig-city,darkconspiracyofGawlik'scoverart,andanentireconceptwasnotonlybornandexecuted,itwasreceived.TheBlacksideofTyrannyandMutationisitsrelianceonspeed,punched-upbigguitars,andthrobbingriffssuchasin"TheRedandtheBlack,""O.D'donLifeItself,""HotRailstoHell,"and"7ScreamingDiz-Busters,"allofwhichshowcasedthebikerboogietakentoadizzyinglyextremeboundary;onewhereeverythingfliesbyinadarkblur,andthea