Metamorphosis (Iron Butterfly album)

Metamorphosis
Studio album by Iron Butterfly
Released	August 13, 1970
Recorded	May–July 1970
Studio	American Recording Co., Studio City, California
Genre	Hard rock proto–metal psychedelic rock acid rock
Length	40:50
Label	Atco
Producer	Richard Podolor
Iron Butterfly chronology
Live (1970) Metamorphosis (1970) Evolution: The Best of Iron Butterfly (1971)

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. ^{[1] [2]} 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". ^{[1] [3]} 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."

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]

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." ^[4]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ron Bushy, Lee Dorman, and Doug Ingle, except where noted

Side one

No.	Title	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"Free Flight"	None	0:49
2.	"New Day"	Ingle, Pinera	3:21
3.	"Shady Lady" (music: Bushy, Dorman, Ingle; lyrics: Robert Woods Edmonson)	Ingle	3:58
4.	"Best Years of Our Life"	Pinera	4:00
5.	"Slower Than Guns" (music: Ingle; lyrics: Edmonson)	Ingle	3:50
6.	"Stone Believer"	Ingle, Pinera	4:26

Side two

No.	Title	Lead vocals	Length
7.	"Soldier in Our Town" (music: Bushy, Dorman, Ingle; lyrics: Edmonson)	Ingle	3:22
8.	"Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)" (music: Bushy, Dorman, Ingle; lyrics: Edmonson)	Ingle	3:07
9.	"Butterfly Bleu"	Pinera	13:57

Songwriting credits per BMI Records. The album sleeve ambiguously credits the songs to "Iron Butterfly".

Personnel

Iron Butterfly

• Ron Bushy – drums
• Lee Dorman – bass guitar
• Doug Ingle – organ, vocals
• Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals
• Larry Reinhardt – guitar

Additional personnel

• Richard Podolor – producer, sitar, twelve-string guitar
• Bill Cooper – engineer, twelve-string guitar
• Roger Webster – art direction, photography, front cover
• Bob Jenkins – art direction, photography (inside)
• Robert Blue – back cover art

Charts

"Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)"

Chart (1970)	Position
Canada [5]	48
Billboard Hot 100 [6]	66

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"

References

1. Joynson, Vernon (1995). Fuzz, Acid, & Flowers Archived 2011-08-25 at the Wayback Machine . London: Borderline Books.
2. "RPM Top 100 Albums - October 10, 1970 - page 10" (PDF).
3. "RPM Top 100 Singles - December 12, 1970" (PDF).
4. "Metamorphosis - Iron Butterfly | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic .
5. "RPM Top 100 Singles - December 12, 1970" (PDF).
6. "Billboard Hot 100 - Iron Butterfly". Billboard . Retrieved September 21, 2017.