Blue Öyster Cult "Tyranny And Mutation"

Tyranny and Mutation (stylized on the cover as THE BLVE ÖYSTER CVLT: TYRANNY AND MVTATION) is the second studio album by the American hard rock band Blue Öyster Cult, released in February 1973 by Columbia Records. It was produced by Murray Krugman and Sandy Pearlman. On May 12, 1973, the album peaked at No. 122 on the Billboard 200 chart.

One single was released from the album, "Hot Rails to Hell", which did not chart.

The album was recorded in 1972 at Columbia Studios in New York City.

"Baby Ice Dog" features lyrics by poet Patti Smith, who would make several more lyrical contributions to the band's repertoire over their career.


The song "The Red and the Black", with lyrics referencing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, is a retitled, re-recorded version of "I'm on the Lamb But I Ain't No Sheep" from the band's eponymous debut album. The song was later covered by the Minutemen and Band of Susans. AllMusic critic Hal Horowitz called it "one of the best and most propulsive rockers in the BÖC catalog".