Killer

Killer is the fourth studio album by the American hard rock band Alice Cooper, released in November 1971. The album was produced by Bob Ezrin, and reached number 21 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The album represents a darker sound from the band, with sophisticated compositions, and weird experimentations. “Halo of Flies” is a great example of the band exploring progressive rock. The track, lasting for eight minutes, combines all of the band members ideas, with dark bass lines and heavily distorted guitars. One of the album’s singles, “Under My Wheels”, features an anthemic sound that became a concert staple for the band in the early 70’s.

The album’s other single, “Be My Lover”, has a slower, but more melodic sound, with lyrics describing a man meeting a woman and how both of them want to be each others lover. The more gothic and darker songs on the album, such as “Desperado”, features a gloomy F Major riff, with lyrics describing Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors. “Dead Babies” has mysteriously scary riffs in the key of G Major, while the title track, features experimental, distorted, lingering guitars, and lyrics of murder, provided with a gloomy organ.

The album was a staple for the band, with the album’s two singles reaching 49 and 59 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified gold by the (RIAA) Recording Industry Association of America. Some of the song’s became staples of shock rock. The album’s artwork, of a large boa constrictor, became a theme for Alice to use in the years to come.