In a year of stunning comeback albums from some of rock's biggest names, The Cult's hard hitting 'Choice Of Weapon' album is one of the very best. Landing a place in the UK Top 20 and receiving a rapturous critical reception, it seems frontman Ian Astbury's U-turn after vowing not to release any more albums (“the format is dead” - he claimed) has been an exceptionally smart volte face. Furthermore, the decision to team up once again with Bob Rock, the producer of their late 80's commercial juggernaut-in-album-form 'Sonic Temple', has reaped the richest of rewards on a huge sounding record for which the clichéd 'return to form' tag is a monolithic understatement.
If first single 'For The Animals' showed a band back to their best then follow-up release, 'The Wolf', takes that baton and sprints away from the crowd like Usain Bolt jacked up on a concoction of caffeine and red bull. Guitarist Billy Duffy is on searing form throughout this song with a trademark fire-fuelled, hummable-as-hell lead lick kicking the tune into gear and underpinning a rousing Astbury chorus where the defiant shamen howls “don't be deceived by the liars, caught in the jaws and the flame, I've been consumed by the trials, These wicked chains that hold my name”.
The verses find the band effortlessly changing tempo as Duffy, manfully accompanied by a sparkling new rhythm section of drummer John Tempesta and bassist Chris Wyse, slows to an ominous pace, hammering home choppy, menacing Kashmir chords backed by subtle, stabbing strings. Astbury himself is like a man possessed and reborn as his rebelling preacher's holler unleashes a brooding dose of barely contained vitriol against those who raised him to be a fighter and sharpened his teeth, threatening that “I'm a lover but I've been known quick to strike”. Thankfully, his wonderful way of weaving an otherworldly spirituality into his lyrics wins through as he promises to transcend his bleak and tarnished past, proclaiming his own salvation with a redemptive declaration “I give my heart to the heavens, I give my heart to the light'.
Too often The Cult have tried to change their style, taking aimless roads that don't suit, suffering multiple identity crises and an alarming fluctuation in the quality of their output as a result. However, when Astbury and Duffy are in tandem, at the top of their game and intent on being nothing more than a kick ass hard rock band with a captivating spiritual edge they are a fantastic outfit that always delivers. None more so than on 'The Wolf'. Catch them on tour around the UK in September.
Mon September 10th 2012 - O2 Apollo Manchester, Manchester
Tue September 11th 2012 - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Wed September 12th 2012 - Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Fri September 14th 2012 - Arena, Manchester
Sat September 15th 2012 - LG Arena, Birmingham
Sun September 16th 2012 - Wembley Arena, London
The Cult release new single 'The Wolf' on Monday 30th July on Cooking Vinyl.
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If first single 'For The Animals' showed a band back to their best then follow-up release, 'The Wolf', takes that baton and sprints away from the crowd like Usain Bolt jacked up on a concoction of caffeine and red bull. Guitarist Billy Duffy is on searing form throughout this song with a trademark fire-fuelled, hummable-as-hell lead lick kicking the tune into gear and underpinning a rousing Astbury chorus where the defiant shamen howls “don't be deceived by the liars, caught in the jaws and the flame, I've been consumed by the trials, These wicked chains that hold my name”. 
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