TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Metamorphosis" - Iron Butterfly (1970)

"Metamorphosis" - Iron Butterfly with Pinera & Rhino (1970)

     I picked up a lot of cheapie albums in the wild this summer.  25¢.  50¢.  Maybe a buck.  I was pretty forgiving, but for two things.  The vinyl had to eyeball VG/VG+ or better.  And the cover had to be decent.  I rarely went to record shops during the warm months, choosing to do my own hunting. Anyway, I'm just now getting around to cleaning them up and giving them proper attention.  I'll either keep them until I find an upgrade or I'll pass them along to someone else.

     Iron Butterfly were never gonna be as great as their band name, but hey, it's Iron Butterfly.  What I mean to say is, you know what you're gonna get when you drop the needle on the bone.  "Metamorphosis” was the band's fourth album, and while it still exudes the band's spirit, the guys were also trying to stretch their wings. Not as much acid rock, but there are a few songs that throw off a nice, hard rock edge.  The band also opens the window a crack, allowing some prog moments to cast a shadow.  Mixed together with some blues rock...the good kind...the band makes some pretty good noise.  Iron Butterfly doesn't hit a home run, but the album does try to go for extra bases. 

     "Metamorphosis" is one of those albums that sound magically better the second time through the wax.  We've all come across a few of those kinds of records.  I guess it allows us to abate any preconceived notions, so we can just relax.  Definitely not a must-own, but there are some good tracks on both sides.  And it's the 14-minute “Butterfly Bleu” that closes out this square that you want.  The song employs a nice cornucopia of ideas, including, yes, a bit of psych-dust for us freaks, plus some pre-Frampton talk box, which is all a mind-treat.   Soon after this album was recorded, two of the Iron Butts, Larry Reinhardt and Lee Dorman, would depart and help form another great band, Captain Beyond.

"Metamorphosis" - Iron Butterfly (back)

"Metamorphosis" - Iron Butterfly (inside gatefold)

Favorites include:
"Butterfly Bleu"
"Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)"
"New Day"

     I found my copy in a cheap box for 25¢.  It has some aged yellow tape at the top, but a nice spine and no crumbles.  And the vinyl looks and plays great.  This particular copy has "CTH" in the deadwax, which means it was pressed at Columbia in Terre Haute.  Interestingly, Iron Butterfly was booked to perform at Woodstock, but the band got stranded at LaGuardia Airport.  Had they performed, it might've been the sibylline bump they needed to help take the band to the next level.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen, and this, their fourth album, would be their last one as we knew them.  

Atco label

Cat #
SD 33-339
SIDE A  DEADWAX
ST C701971-1A 1 CTH T
SIDE B  DEADWAX
ST C701972-1A 1 CTH T

"Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)" - Iron Butterfly / "Metamorphosis (1970)

TRACKS:
A1  "Free Flight" 0:40
A2  "New Day" 3:08
A3  "Shady Lady" 3:50
A4  "Best Years Of Our Life" 3:55
A5  "Slower Than Guns" 3:37
A6  "Stone Believer" 5:20
B1  "Soldier In Our Town" 3:10
B2  "Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)" 3:06
B3  "Butterfly Bleu" 14:03

PERSONNEL: 
Mike Pinera - guitar, vocals
Doug Ingle - organ, vocals
Larry Reinhardt - guitar
Lee Dorman - bass
Ron Bushy - drums
ADDITIONAL:
Richard Podolor - producer, sitar, twelve-string guitar
Bill Cooper - engineer, twelve-string guitar

Good stuff.

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Comments

Charlie Ricci said…
I bought Metamorphosis back in the 70s because I was a fan of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. I bought it unheard even though I knew Erik Brann, the lead guitarist on that classic album had left the group. I also saw them live with Pinera & Rhino at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. Except for "Easy Rider" I was disappointed in the new record and sold it. I haven't heard it in decades. A sad sidenote: all 4 members who made In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida have passed on to the great drum solo in the sky.
December 6, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Casey said…
That is sad news. Music, in general, disguises how quickly time flies...and then just as quickly slaps ya in the face with the news. But seeing them live, drum-solo and all, is pretty amazing. Iconic on many levels. And knowing you were there kicking it at The Spectrum tells me you would've been a great pal to have around. As for Iron Butterfly...most of their albums can be found...In-a-Gadda-Da-Bargain-Bin. (a little Butterfly humor!) Keep sharing the music, mate!
December 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM
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