IRON BUTTERFLY anniversary

August 13, 1970: Iron Butterfly - Metamorphosis album

Wikipedia observes: Metamorphosis is the fourth studio album by Iron Butterfly, released on August 13, 1970. It reached number 16 on the US charts and number 31 in Canada. Mike Pinera and Larry "El Rhino" Reinhardt joined Iron Butterfly for this album in early 1970. It was the last studio album to feature original organist and vocalist Doug Ingle. The album was recorded at American Recording studio and produced by Richard Podolor, engineered by Bill Cooper. The single "Easy Rider" reached number 66 on the Billboard chart and number 48 in Canada, making it the band's biggest hit aside from "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". The album is noted for having one of the earliest uses of the talk box on a rock album, which Pinera used on "Butterfly Bleu."

1. "Free Flight" 0:49

2. "New Day" 3:21

3. "Shady Lady" 3:58

4. "Best Years of Our Life" 4:00

5. "Slower Than Guns" 3:50

6. "Stone Believer" 4:26

7. "Soldier in Our Town" 3:22

8. "Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)" 3:07

9. "Butterfly Bleu" 13:57

Ron Bushy – drums

Lee Dorman – bass guitar

Doug Ingle – organ, vocals

Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals

Larry Reinhardt – guitar

After guitarist Erik Braunn left, the two new guitarists, Mike Pinera and Larry Reinhardt, gave the band the sound of psychedelic hard-rock grooves and bluesy jamming. Songs like "New Day" and "Easy Rider" show heavy riffs, while "Stone Believer" digs into deep, fuzzy blues-rock. The 14-minute closer "Butterfly Bleu" goes into psychedelic space-rock territory, and according to some people, it has some of the earliest, wildest uses of a talk box on a rock album. In my opinion, it's a diverse album that seems to have room for everyone in the band to shine. It's an adventurous work with various phases, from proto-metal to experimental, but overall it is not super chaotic or nonsensical. The band sounds great! I do not know the story behind the recording of the album, but looking back decades later, you can hear all the instruments clearly. You don't get the feeling that anyone is trying to drown anyone else out—like keeping the bass guitar silent or the keyboards hidden—and the drums sound great, too. Expect a bit of everything from late 1960s heavy rock, done with a big American flair.

Iron Butterfly - Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)