Since its heyday in the 1970s, Blue Öyster Cult has occupied its own niche – a hard rock band with an air of the supernatural.

Its name had a secretive aura that hinted at the mystical, as did the symbol that graced its album covers.

And then there is the umlaut, the most famous diacritical mark in all of rock (it’s those two dots above the O). It didn’t change the pronunciation at all, but it subtly shaped the band’s image. Spooky.

Blue Öyster Cult also can claim the most famous cowbell arrangement in all of rock; it’s in the 1976 megahit “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” The usage was immortalized in the “more cowbell” skit on “Saturday Night Live” (2000).

The band will return to the Robins Theatre in Warren for an 8 p.m. concert Friday, with a lineup that includes founding member Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser (vocals, guitar) and Eric Bloom (vocals, guitar), who has been a member since 1969.

Cowbell aside, “Don’t Fear the Reaper” is no joke. BÖC’s signature song brims with mystery, even if Roeser says its meaning has changed over the years – at least for him.

“The song has become more like a memorial to people that have passed,” Roeser said in an interview with Uncut magazine earlier this year. “It’s something you play or say when someone passes away. And I’m good with that. I’m gonna play it at my funeral.”

The set list for Saturday’s concert in Warren will almost certainly include “Reaper,” as well as hits “Burnin’ for You,” “Godzilla” and “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll.” For tickets, click HERE.

BÖC’s discography includes a string of classic albums like “Secret Treaties” (1974), “Spectres” (1977), “Some Enchanted Evening” (1978) and “Fire of Unknown Origin” (1981).

The band’s 2020 comeback record, “The Symbol Remains,” was the act’s first release in almost 20 years. Thematically, it picked up where the band left off, with songs about magic and aliens. It also spawned the single “Florida Man.” Check it out HERE.

Here’s a look at some other entertainment highlights in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys this weekend:

  • The Gianni Russo Experience, 7:30 p.m. tonight at Ford Family Recital Hall in Youngstown. The actor-restaurateur-singer played the pop star Carlo Rizzi in “The Godfather. He’ll regale the audience with tales of his movie career and his stint as a low-level affiliate.
  • Chris Janson, 8 p.m. tonight at Packard Music Hall in Warren. Good seats remain for the country singer’s concert.
  • “Sweeney Todd,” 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Area Community Theater, downtown Sharon, Pa. The macabre musical will be enhanced by the theater’s giant LED wall at stage rear, which will provide realistic scenery.
  • Project Mayhem, 7 p.m. Friday at Boardman High’s Performing Arts Center. The annual student rock concert is always jaw-droppingly good.
  • Louis C.K., 7 p.m. Monday at the Funny Farm Comedy Club in Niles. This stop on the controversial comedian’s comeback tour is sold out.

For a complete look at everything going on in the Mahoning Valley, check out The List.

Pictured at top: Blue Öyster Cult.