Black Blade

Album: Cultösaurus Erectus (1980)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song details the misadventures of an unfortunate man who has been bound to a particularly evil blade. Its power and hold over him grows as he uses it to kill more and more people, and there is little or nothing he can do about it. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ammon - Houston, TX
  • Blue Öyster Cult guitarist/keyboardist Eric Bloom sang lead on this track. He wrote the song with the science fiction author Michael Moorcock and songwriter John Trivers. The lyric is based on a character in Moorcock's books called Elric of Melniboné, who carries a sword called Stormbringer that feeds off the souls of its victims.

    Moorcock, who wrote several lyrics for Hawkwind, also co-wrote the Blue Öyster Cult tracks "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" and "The Great Sun Jester."
  • In our interview with Eric Bloom, he said that he first contacted Michael Moorcock as a "fanboy," which was harder to do before the Internet. Their communication was mostly by mail, with Moorcock sending the lyrics that Bloom would then adapt into songs.

Comments: 3

  • Ogre from Wichita, Ks.The last line of the song is as it fades out and is harder to hear, but turn it up and you'll hear it clearly after the laughter as Stormbringer, The Black Blade, says "You poor f--king humans!" Seriously. Many have said that was just an addition by someone digitally later, but it IS ON the original album I bought WAY BACK when it first came out. It's ALWAYS been there, but most DJs cut it off before it gets that far. Listen closely and you will see.
    ALSO... Lyric CORRECTION... The line is NOT "My cosmic sword goes on for eternity" If you LISTEN, it says "My Cosmic CYCLES ARE FOR Eternity!"
    It is about the Cosmic Champions Moorcock writes about and the fact that it has been existing forever. Always being brought back in many forms. It has taken many forms. In this case a Sword that gives Elric his power and the strength he could never have as a sickly Albino that would not have lived without magic. Elric, the King of Melnibone, is powerful with the cursed intelligent, black sword, Stormbringer, that gives him great strength and magical power but takes the lives and souls of those he cares the most about, as well as his enemies! Souls that are sent to Hell to the Lord Of Chaos. Elric can no longer exist without Stormbringer and therefore is a slave to the evil of it, an agent of Chaos enslaved to it and forced to do the bidding of the sword and Arioch, Lord of Chaos as well.
  • Michael from Chicago, IlIf you like this song, check out the band HAWKWIND. Moorcock also performed and wrote songs with them; the theme behind this song is related to Moorcock's ELRIC of Melnibone sword and sorcery stories. Even Marvel Comics found a way to interweave this story series into their CONAN comics of the '70's, drawn by English artist Barry Windsor-Smith.
  • Paul from Rothesay, Nb, CanadaA true BOC classic! Michael Moorcock performed his own version of the song with a band called The Deep Fix. Don't believe it was ever recorded, but would be interesting to hear!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.