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Band: The Cult
Album title: Choice Of Weapon
Release date: 22 May 2012
Label: Cooking Vinyl Records
Almost thirty years have passed since they debuted with Dreamtime and since then The Cult were the link between alternative and more gothic oriented rock. In the meantime they gained a huge success and also kind of lost it in the second half of 90's, but returned fresh and powerful with five years ago released Born Into This. To tell the truth I was little afraid how this one will turn out after hearing some prereleased songs, but after hearing the whole album I'm more than satisfied. The Cult are not offering something new, but are sticking to well approved formula that they crafted on albums like Love, Electric and Sonic Temple. Is this something bad? Not in this case.
From the opener "Honey From A Knife" on we are aware that this is not an ordinary album, but a huge maelstrom of ten turbulent rock songs. The Cult actually stated in 2009 that they won't be doing studio albums anymore, so this one has to be; even from this point of view; something special. How to say this the right way, but here are no "first time heard" hit songs like "Fire Woman", "Sweet Soul Sister", "Edie (Ciao Baby)", "Wild Flower", "Rain", etc., but, anyway songs that could bring anyone who ever loved their music on his knees. I was certainly impressed by how Ian Astbury still sings, with almost shamanic attitude of his vocal approach he gives his best, as it be in more hard rocking songs or in quasi ballads like "Elemental Light" or beautiful "Life>Death" with great emotional piano touches in between, forming a seducing masterpiece with melodic guitar rhytm and deep lyrics about the essence of man. Yes, the age has not overpassed him, but he hasn't lost any of his uniqueness and that special rasp in his tone has even matured. As the hit single song "For The Animals" strucks in with it's powerful rock tones the neck could hurt, almost as it's taken from their Electric album, but here we must really be amazed by the rockabilly kind of piano drive and Billy Duffy one of a kind alternative rock chords upgraded with magnificient solo. "Amnesia", "Lucifer" and "The Wolf" are also on the same shore, showing all members in their trademark positions. Even John Tempesta (Exodus, Testament, White Zombie, Rob Zombie,...) who joined the band in 2005 adds a lot of raw punk powered beats and completes the picture with Chris Wyse on bass. Calm "Wilderness Now" gives memories to Ceremony album with it's mystical flow and "A Pale Horse" is a joy for every blues lover with kind of country music extra scent. Choice Of Weapon ends in a big way with The Doors smeeling "This Night In The City Forever".
Memorable album absolutely. The Cult are in a formidable form and they gave us one of the best rock albums so far this year. Although I said that they are sticking to the approved formula, they still offer modern sound with it's rather gloomy mystical veil which has decorated and given depth to all of their albums so far. Production was done by well known Bob Rock and it's perfect from all aspects.
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 8,5/10
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