Metamorphosis (Iron Butterfly album)
Encyclopedia
Metamorphosis is the fourth studio album by Iron Butterfly
, released in 1970. Though it was not as successful as its predecessor Ball
(1969), it reached number 16 on the US charts. The album was recorded as a trio; Erik Brann, who left because of band disputes, was replaced by four session guitarists. Two of them, Mike Pinera and Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt (called El Rhino on the sleeve), would become members of Iron Butterfly shortly after the album's release. Officially, the album is credited not to Iron Butterfly, but to "Iron Butterfly With Pinera & Rhino", in reference to the two aforementioned guitarists.
The album spawned the single "Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)," which reached number 66 on the Billboard
chart, 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.
Non-US singles
Iron Butterfly
Iron Butterfly is a US psychedelic rock band best known for the 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida".Their heyday was the late 1960s, but the band has been reincarnated with various members. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the 31st best-selling album in the world, selling more than 25 million copies.-History:The...
, released in 1970. Though it was not as successful as its predecessor Ball
Ball (Iron Butterfly album)
Ball is the third studio album by the rock band Iron Butterfly, released in February 1969. After the enormous success of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", Iron Butterfly modified its acid-rock sound somewhat and experimented with more melodic compositions. The band's trademark heavy guitars, however, are still...
(1969), it reached number 16 on the US charts. The album was recorded as a trio; Erik Brann, who left because of band disputes, was replaced by four session guitarists. Two of them, Mike Pinera and Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt (called El Rhino on the sleeve), would become members of Iron Butterfly shortly after the album's release. Officially, the album is credited not to Iron Butterfly, but to "Iron Butterfly With Pinera & Rhino", in reference to the two aforementioned guitarists.
The album spawned the single "Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)," which reached number 66 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
chart, making it the band's biggest hit aside from "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is a song by Iron Butterfly, released on their 1968 album In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.At a little over seventeen minutes, it occupies the entire second side of the In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida album. The lyrics are simple, and heard only at the beginning and the end...
". The album is noted for having one of the earliest uses of the Talk box
Talk box
A talk box is an effects unit that allows a musician to modify the sound of a musical instrument. The musician controls the modification by lip syncing, or by changing the shape of the mouth...
on a rock album.
Reception
Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated Metamorphosis three out of five stars. He explained that "the group continued its musical explorations, adding a layered production to its sound." He also stated that "[the] ambition [...] makes for an interesting listen".Track listing
Singles
US singles- "Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)" b/w "Soldier in Our Town"
- "Stone Believer" b/w "Silly Sally" (Non-LP cut)
Non-US singles
- "Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)" b/w "Soldier in Our Town"
- "New Day" b/w "Soldier in Our Town"
- "Best Years of Our Life" b/w "Shady Lady"
- "Silly Sally" b/w "Stone Believer"
Charts
Easy Rider (Let The Wind Pay The Way) - Billboard| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Billboard Singles | 66 |
Iron Butterfly
- Doug IngleDoug IngleDoug Ingle is a founding member and former organist, vocalist and primary composer for the band Iron Butterfly. He also had a short stint with the pop group Stark Naked and the Car Thieves in the early 1970s after he left Iron Butterfly.- Biography :Ingle's father Lloyd, a church organist,...
– organ, lead vocals (except on "Best Years of Our Life" and "Butterfly Bleu") - Lee DormanLee DormanLee Dorman is an American bass guitarist best known as a member of the rock band Iron Butterfly. He also played in the band Captain Beyond. Dorman is from St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to San Diego, California in the 1960s. He began playing bass guitar in his teens...
– bass - Ron BushyRon BushyRon Bushy is the drummer of the rock band Iron Butterfly.He was born in Washington, D.C. on December 23, 1945. He grew up in a military family, living in approximately 34 states during his youth...
– drums
Additional musicians
- Mike PineraMike PineraMike Pinera is an American guitarist who started professionally in the late 1960s with the group Blues Image, which had a #4 hit in 1970 with their song "Ride Captain Ride". After the breakup of that group, he joined Iron Butterfly, and later formed the group Ramatam...
– guitar; lead vocals on "Shady Lady", "Best Years of Our Life", "Stone Believer", and "Butterfly Bleu" - Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
- Richard PodolorRichard PodolorRichard Podolor was a record producer.Richard Podolor, who is also known as Richie Podolor or Richard Allen, produced hits including "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night and "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf. His early hits were as guitarist and co-writer on the drummer Sandy Nelson's records...
– sitar, twelve-string guitar - Bill Cooper – twelve-string guitar