After a five year hiatus, The Cult return with a powerful new record that features some of Astbury’s most inspired lyrics, which serve as thought provoking commentary on the current state of the human condition, as seen though his eyes and experiences. The record gets off to a rocking start right out of the gate with the heavily punk infused “Honey from a Knife,” but the tempo of this song is only matched a few more times with “For the Animals,” and “Amnesia;” songs that will undoubtedly be well-received in a live format.
The rest of the tracks offer more of a mid-tempo to slower pace and have a darker feel to them, as opposed to the band’s earlier, upbeat hits such as Lil’ Devil and Wildflower. This is fitting, considering the serious message that Astbury is demanding to convey. I wouldn’t label it a concept album, but there are common themes represented throughout, including ones of war, death, drugs, knives, evil and as mentioned, comments on our society, which resonates with apathy and despondency. Songs such as “Wilderness Now” and “Life>Death,” though void of a catchy refrain, pack a powerful punch and drive the message home; where “A Pale Horse,” offers a memorable chorus, and is one of the more radio ready tunes. Similarly, “Lucifer,” released as the first single from the record, has a gritty edge to it and has fans eager for more.
For those looking to compare this to previous Cult records, there really is no comparison. The band really stepped outside of their comfort zone on this one. Although the Cult has a distinctive sound with Astbury’s vocals and Duffy’s riffs, for fans of the band and casual listeners, the record may take a few spins to fully digest and appreciate. However, if you do, you will find it a welcomed “rock” record, chock full of substance and passion, in today’s world that is often deficient in those two elements.
