Metamorphosis (Iron Butterfly album)

Metamorphosis
Studio album by Iron Butterfly
Released	August 1970
Recorded	May–July 1970
Genre	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 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.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic

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

All songs written and composed by Doug Ingle, Ron Bushy, and Lee Dorman, except where noted. 

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Free Flight"	0:40
2.	"New Day"	3:08
3.	"Shady Lady" (lyrics - Robert Woods Edmonson)	3:50
4.	"Best Years of Our Life"	3:55
5.	"Slower Than Guns" (lyrics - Robert Woods Edmonson)	3:37
6.	"Stone Believer"	5:20

Side two
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Soldier in Our Town" (lyrics - Robert Woods Edmonson)	3:10
2.	"Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)" (lyrics - Robert Woods Edmonson)	3:06
3.	"Butterfly Bleu"	14:03

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

Personnel

Iron Butterfly

• Doug Ingle – organ, lead vocals (except on "Best Years of Our Life" and "Butterfly Bleu")
• Lee Dorman – bass
• Ron Bushy – drums

Additional musicians

• Mike Pinera – guitar; lead vocals on "Shady Lady", "Best Years of Our Life", "Stone Believer", and "Butterfly Bleu"
• Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt – guitar
• Richard Podolor – sitar, twelve-string guitar
• Bill Cooper – twelve-string guitar