Blue Oyster Cult: Secret Treaties (Audio Fidelity SACD Hybrid)
 I am big Blue Oyster Cult fan and have been since the 70s. Secret Treaties was my introduction to the band. I remember buying the LP and noticed that the cover was unusual. As it turned out the music was unlike anything I had heard before and I thought it was just as different as the cover. That was my first impression as a teenager exploring new music. As time passed I enjoyed the album more with each listen and it became and still is my all-time favorite BOC album. I cannot marginalize the importance of Agents of Fortune which comes in as a close second. That is the album that made them superstars worldwide. This is the album that laid down the foundation to build on their legacy.
Secret Treaties is and will remain a heavy metal classic. Every track is crystal clear and given new life in Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity SACD Hybrid Multichannel version. What I noticed right out of the gate was a significant boost in the prominence of the bass. Even though that happens the rest of the instruments do not take a back seat. With sound like this it is up to the listener and what they prefer to focus on, one instrument or everything happening at once. The normal process for me is to single out one significant change right away then like a quarterback with peripheral vision I flip a switch to surround sound listening. To completely enjoy the entire experience of this format I would highly recommend taking in everything that is happening. You can easily become immersed with all the sounds.
I know this album very well and that also helped in my recognition of any changes in sound and clarity. The mix is superb on this version of Secret Treaties. Every track is killer on the recording but there is one that became their epic classic along the lines of "Don't Fear The Reaper." "Astronomy" takes the band to new levels and it is a fantastic curtain closer. The track uses all the talents of every band member taking their sound and production to amazing heights that would lead them to recognition beyond their dreams. It starts off gentle enough then just builds and builds to an exciting climax. This is BOC's finest hour and that one track is the icing on the cake that leaves you wanting to hit play over and over again.
"Dominance and Submission" and "Harvester of Eyes" are two other favorites of mine that are served well in the conversion of this classic recording.
This is a cannot miss bullseye to a rocker's heart and soul. Secret Treaties was great music before it became an SACD but now more things are brought to light to give it that much more significance and value as one of the greatest rock/metal albums ever recorded.
Tracklisting
1. Career of Evil
2. Subhuman
3. Dominance and Submission
4. ME 262
5. Cagey Cretins
6. Harvester of Eyes
7. Flaming Telepaths
8. Astronomy
Added: October 6th 2016
Reviewer: Keith Hannaleck
Score: 
Related Link: Audio Fidelity Website
Hits: 2324
Language: english
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