It is only fair that I mention up front that The Cult’s 1985 album ‘Love‘ is one of my all time favorite albums from start to finish. I am also a big fan of ‘Electric’ and ‘Sonic Temple’ and I was dismayed when the band broke up in 1995. I was optimistic when I heard they were heading back into the studio after a five year absence and I breath a sigh of relief today after listening to their ninth studio album, ‘Choice of Weapon’.
Written by lead singer Ian Astbury and lead guitarist Billy Duffy, they recorded the album over a 6 month period in New York, Los Angeles and the band’s Witch Mountain studio. The album was produced by long time Cult collaborator Bob Rock and co-produced by Chris Goss (Queens of the Stone Age, U.N.K.L.E., Masters of Reality). Atsbury says of the experience, “We have had the opportunity to work with two of the most influential and talented producers in the world today. They pushed up beyond our comfort zone and helped us craft ‘Choice of Weapon‘”. Duffy had this to say; “We went deeper…we worked a bit harder on this record. We have great fans and they deserve our best. I feel this is one of our best records, maybe the best.”
Astbury proves he still has one of the best voices in rock and roll and Duffy’s raw, signature guitar licks make this an album worth listening to. Drummer John Tempesta and bassist Chris Wyse balance the two veteran rockers quite well adding a solid backbone to each song.
Ian Astbury
Their first single and music video from the album is For The Animals, (see below). Astbury says this about the single, “‘For the Animals’ reflects the sentiment that we are a raw, visceral animal, independent and beholden to no one. We celebrate that aspect that is also rising in the culture. We go where nature takes us.”
Founding Cult members Astbury and Duffy will be the featured guests on the nationally-syndicated radio show ROCKLINE with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday, May 23 at 8:30PM PT/11:30PM ET. Astbury and Duffy will talk about the new album that will be out Tuesday, May 22, debut songs from the new release, and take listeners’ calls. Fans are invited to speak with the duo by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). For a station near you and for information regarding how to access the ROCKLINE broadcast online, go to www.RocklineRadio.com. The Cult begin a 21-date US tour to support the album and will be supported by Against Me! and The Icarus Line. Dates are as follows:
MAY
25 San Diego, CA – Humphreys By the Bay
26 Las Vegas, NV – M Resort
27 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
30 Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
JUNE
1 Chicago, IL – Congress Theatre
2 Windsor, ON – Great Canadian Beaverfest, Riverfront Festival Plaza
3 Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE – Indoor Stage
5 Boston, MA – House of Blues
7 Buffalo, NY – Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf
8 New York, NY – Terminal 5
9 Hampton Beach, NH – Ballroom
10 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
12 Washington, D.C. – The Fillmore
13 Norfolk, VA – The Norva
15 Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
16 Orlando, FL – House of Blues
17 Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle
19 Houston, TX – House of Blues
20 Dallas, TX – House of Blues
22 Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
23 Hollywood Palladium, Hollywood, CA
Tagged: Billy Duffy, Choice of Weapon, For The Animals, Ian Astbury, music video, new album, The Cult
