For real. I’ve been a fan since my early teens in the 90s, and this latest album was his best since FOUO. This song was actually based almost word-for-word upon an H.P. Lovecraft short story by the same name. It was one of his early stories, so it wasn’t brilliantly written, but the tale itself was-as you can see-an excellent tale of supernatural vengeance. Overall, the song is an improvement on the story (and I’m an obsessive Lovecraft fan, as well, so you can be sure I’m giving him all due credit!
Richie Castellano began as their sound engineer in 2003 then moved to bass full time in 2007 after original member Allen Lanier retired. Richie is the "secret weapon" in BOC because he can play guitar, bass, sing lead, write, arrange, produce and he even edited the music video you just saw. In other words, he may be "the new guy" but he's been such a boost to BOC at this time in their career. Long live BOC and great reaction!
@@SightAfterDark Richie is awesome, check out his cover of Bohemian Rhapsody on RUclips. By the way, BOC is playing a series of 50th-anniversary concerts in New York in September.
Actually, Richie moved to the stage playing bass earlier, in 2004. It was in 2007 that Richie received the call from Eric to see if he had interest in taking over 2nd Guitar and keyboards for the late, great Allen Lanier, where Richie has been since. Also, the keys on “The Alchemist” are played by the extraordinary musician Andy Ascolese, a close friend and musical collaborator with Richie since their teenage years. Andy Ascolese is not only a sensational drummer, keyboard wizard and songwriter … he holds the distinction of filling in for BÖC on drums, keys, bass, 2nd guitar, and vocals - every position in the band except lead guitar! 🙀 The fans weren’t robbed one bit at those shows for sure and he worked as tour technician for the band as well. 👍🏻 Andy brought a magnificent stylistic tribute to Allen Lanier on “The Alchemist”, a wonderful song written by Richie Castellano & Eric Bloom that was inspired by a short story by H.P. Lovecraft. The Symbol Remains is an extraordinary album that ranks among the very best created during the COVID-19 pandemic! 🤘🏻
And Eric Bloom totally was not wearing one of Richie Castellano's Jedi robes for his alchemist costume(he totally was). My favorite alchemist is Paracelsus.
If one searches, the short story text is online. It isn't one of Lovecraft's best, but Richie Castellano's lyrics elevate it. The line at the end where the dying alchemist declares "*Our* lives have been a prison of my design" goes beyond Lovecraft's narrative to add a self-reflective and moral perspective, where Lovecraft simply deals out the gimmick of an alchemist having succeeded in extending his own life many times the normal human lifespan. Richie is a great addition to the BOC lineup. I've seen some disparaging comments about Richie because of his 'Band Geek' project, but I totally don't get how that is supposed to be a negative. It's like there's just five guys who had the privilege to go from obscurity to being founding members of BOC with no other side projects to sully their purity... and that's just silly because it ignores the Les Braunstein era for four of them.
BOC Rocks! They kept their mojo through time and personnel changes and they have so many great songs through the years, Nosferatu off of Specters is an atmospheric classic and a great tune for chilling or Halloween.Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
Hey ! These guys are pretty good! If you get lucky you might get to see Bloom play the alchemist on stage. Kind of Iron Maidenish IMHO Shout out to Andy, another Band Geek on piano.
Love this! It’s like a metal “”. Phantom of the Opera. The riffs were sounding real familiar to me as well. I think maybeA7X does a similar one but I can’t figure what song it is right now. Maybe they were influenced by BOC. Exactly, everything about this was dope-as the kids say. 😂
I loved this album so much I bought the (double) LP & the CD. I figured hell - it had been 20 years since the previous record, this could be their last. Buck and Eric are getting up there in age, but maybe they got another one in them.
This is imho a good song from a great album.. It seems a bit cliche to me. quite a few better song from this album alone. Thanks for looking at the some music from us geezers though!!! Now not one, but 2, incredible lead players
This is where I say goodbye to BOC. This entire album sounds like a bad nineties nightmare. The nineties were not rocks best decade. It is evident that Alan Lanier's intricate keyboards and guitar harmonies are sorely missed.
@@Phuc_Socialist_You_Tube But yet Castillano has already sang more BOC songs on one album than Lanier during his entire tenure. He is also far more on pitch than either of the Bouchard bros....just saying.
@@SmokeRingHaloWRONG...Lanier didn't like to sing. He wanted to play. Castillano has no pitch. His voice is flat. The Bouchard bros sang when the arrangement suited them, more often than not differing to Roeser or Bloom. In fact many of the songs originally sung by Albert or Joe in studio recordings were sung live by Bloom. The other factor to consider is Roser and Bloom's age. These guys are in their 70's. If they are going to play for over an hour, it seems likely that they desperately need to spread out the workload to someone. Iam 60 and I feel their pain. The point is moot for that reason alone. The entire band is past their prime. That, plus a very Un - BOC 90s influence makes for a weak effort.
Great Song
Play Loud😎
Anyone that believes BOC to be a spent force is sadly mistaken.
For real. I’ve been a fan since my early teens in the 90s, and this latest album was his best since FOUO.
This song was actually based almost word-for-word upon an H.P. Lovecraft short story by the same name. It was one of his early stories, so it wasn’t brilliantly written, but the tale itself was-as you can see-an excellent tale of supernatural vengeance. Overall, the song is an improvement on the story (and I’m an obsessive Lovecraft fan, as well, so you can be sure I’m giving him all due credit!
Eric has had that symbol guitar forever!
That’s the “stun guitar “… he wields it like a subtle secret weapon….,
Richie Castellano began as their sound engineer in 2003 then moved to bass full time in 2007 after original member Allen Lanier retired. Richie is the "secret weapon" in BOC because he can play guitar, bass, sing lead, write, arrange, produce and he even edited the music video you just saw. In other words, he may be "the new guy" but he's been such a boost to BOC at this time in their career. Long live BOC and great reaction!
He’s awesome! Thanks for the info RushTrader!
@@SightAfterDark Richie is awesome, check out his cover of Bohemian Rhapsody on RUclips. By the way, BOC is playing a series of 50th-anniversary concerts in New York in September.
Richie no longer plays the bass...he plays rythym and lead guitar as well as piano...he also sings some lead and lots of backing vocals.
Danny Miranda plays bass on this album though.
Actually, Richie moved to the stage playing bass earlier, in 2004. It was in 2007 that Richie received the call from Eric to see if he had interest in taking over 2nd Guitar and keyboards for the late, great Allen Lanier, where Richie has been since.
Also, the keys on “The Alchemist” are played by the extraordinary musician Andy Ascolese, a close friend and musical collaborator with Richie since their teenage years. Andy Ascolese is not only a sensational drummer, keyboard wizard and songwriter … he holds the distinction of filling in for BÖC on drums, keys, bass, 2nd guitar, and vocals - every position in the band except lead guitar! 🙀 The fans weren’t robbed one bit at those shows for sure and he worked as tour technician for the band as well. 👍🏻 Andy brought a magnificent stylistic tribute to Allen Lanier on “The Alchemist”, a wonderful song written by Richie Castellano & Eric Bloom that was inspired by a short story by H.P. Lovecraft.
The Symbol Remains is an extraordinary album that ranks among the very best created during the COVID-19 pandemic! 🤘🏻
I was blown away by the whole album. So good!
Ding, ding, ding you are correct. That is 77 year old Eric Bloom on the vocals. Although, he may have been 75 at the time of the video.
Thanks Gude!
And Eric Bloom totally was not wearing one of Richie Castellano's Jedi robes for his alchemist costume(he totally was).
My favorite alchemist is Paracelsus.
Great cut. 2020 BOC getting back to their roots. Most excellent.
BOC rules (since forever). In my opinion The Alchemist is the best song from the latest album. Have a nice weekend :)
Enjoy your weekend Patrik! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for reacting to BÖC's latest. This is a musical gem without a doubt!
Thanks for watching Steve!
Love this band. Always excellent and totally consistent. Monsters.
It was so satisfying to hear BOC put out such a great album in 2020. Great choice and reaction.
Thanks Hartlor!
This is based on a short story written by H.P. Lovecraft in 1908 and published in 1916.
If one searches, the short story text is online. It isn't one of Lovecraft's best, but Richie Castellano's lyrics elevate it. The line at the end where the dying alchemist declares "*Our* lives have been a prison of my design" goes beyond Lovecraft's narrative to add a self-reflective and moral perspective, where Lovecraft simply deals out the gimmick of an alchemist having succeeded in extending his own life many times the normal human lifespan. Richie is a great addition to the BOC lineup. I've seen some disparaging comments about Richie because of his 'Band Geek' project, but I totally don't get how that is supposed to be a negative. It's like there's just five guys who had the privilege to go from obscurity to being founding members of BOC with no other side projects to sully their purity... and that's just silly because it ignores the Les Braunstein era for four of them.
Amazing video guys! I’m glad you liked it!
We so did! Thanks for sending it our way Trevor!
@@SightAfterDark absolutely!
BOC Rocks! They kept their mojo through time and personnel changes and they have so many great songs through the years, Nosferatu off of Specters is an atmospheric classic and a great tune for chilling or Halloween.Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
Hey ! These guys are pretty good! If you get lucky you might get to see Bloom play the alchemist on stage. Kind of Iron Maidenish IMHO Shout out to Andy, another Band Geek on piano.
😉maybe! Thanks for watching Billy!
I'm a boc fan. Thats what got me here.
I've watched a few of your own vids!
You are doing it! NOw! Live. Making it happen!
Kudos. love your stuff.
Thanks for watching!
Love this! It’s like a metal “”. Phantom of the Opera. The riffs were sounding real familiar to me as well. I think maybeA7X does a similar one but I can’t figure what song it is right now. Maybe they were influenced by BOC. Exactly, everything about this was dope-as the kids say. 😂
I thought I heard some Maiden in the leads Amber
@@blackfender100 yeah I got that vibe at the intro too
I loved this album so much I bought the (double) LP & the CD. I figured hell - it had been 20 years since the previous record, this could be their last. Buck and Eric are getting up there in age, but maybe they got another one in them.
Have you ever heard their song Damaged?
We haven’t
Awesome deep cut
Watch Band Geeks version of Heaven and Hell, Roundabout and Voodoo Child!
Awesome song...I love BOC.
Have you heard about the 3 shows they are doing in NY city in September?
We have!
Check out "I Love the Night" "Monsters" and "Soul Survivor"
ruclips.net/video/f1pLWlQO5mM/видео.htmlsi=9txaRtIzUKvMGeuP
❤️
The other two are as good or better
This is imho a good song from a great album.. It seems a bit cliche to me. quite a few better song from this album alone. Thanks for looking at the some music from us geezers though!!! Now not one, but 2, incredible lead players
Thanks so much for watching!
Hmm.
Had lost touch with this band.
Sorta stopped listening in early 2000s.
Very good song.
This is where I say goodbye to BOC. This entire album sounds like a bad nineties nightmare. The nineties were not rocks best decade. It is evident that Alan Lanier's intricate keyboards and guitar harmonies are sorely missed.
☺️at least you have their rocking past
Alan Lanier is missed for sure but this album is still their best in decades. Much improved over their previous two studio albums certainly.
@@SmokeRingHalo Your entitled to your opinion, but I don't hear it. Castillano can't sing a note, among other flaws.
@@Phuc_Socialist_You_Tube But yet Castillano has already sang more BOC songs on one album than Lanier during his entire tenure. He is also far more on pitch than either of the Bouchard bros....just saying.
@@SmokeRingHaloWRONG...Lanier didn't like to sing. He wanted to play. Castillano has no pitch. His voice is flat. The Bouchard bros sang when the arrangement suited them, more often than not differing to Roeser or Bloom. In fact many of the songs originally sung by Albert or Joe in studio recordings were sung live by Bloom. The other factor to consider is Roser and Bloom's age. These guys are in their 70's. If they are going to play for over an hour, it seems likely that they desperately need to spread out the workload to someone. Iam 60 and I feel their pain. The point is moot for that reason alone. The entire band is past their prime. That, plus a very Un - BOC 90s influence makes for a weak effort.