Archive for the cult

A Statement From THE CULT’s Ian Astbury And Billy Duffy

Posted in Heavy Metal, Music, Hard Rock, news, gothic rock, music news with tags , , , , , , , on October 22, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

Photo credit: Jackie Middleton

Mother Nature has a cycle of change and evolution that is inevitable. The moon’s phases change, tides rise and fall. Change is necessary for creation and rebirth.

It is with this in mind that, following the remaining dates on our current North American The Cult/Death Cult 8525 Tour, we have decided to step away from touring for an undetermined amount of time. We have toured extensively over the last few years and we shall now shift our focus to writing, recording new music, and exploring other projects that shall be revealed over time. It is a time for us to turn inward to recharge our spiritual batteries.

When we return to the stage, it shall be with an even stronger fire and energy that we will share with all of you. Ours is a communal bond, and it will not be broken, simply paused.

Until then, we have five remaining shows on this current tour, culminating at The Shrine in Los Angeles on Oct 30. Please join us for what has been an incredible celebration of 40 years of The Cult and Death Cult.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and support. It keeps us alive.

“It’s been a beautiful three years celebrating our music with The Cult family around the world. Now it’s time to go home and spend time with our own families, and create some new music” – Billy

“My deepest gratitude to all who attended and immersed themselves in our world. I am deeply grateful to be connected to our Cult family as we ready ourselves for our final five shows for some time, and we take the opportunity to dive deeper into our next creative adventures. More shall be revealed. Blessings to you all.” – Ian

Billy & Ian

Thecult.us

Instagram.com/officialcult

Facebook.com/officialcult

Twitter.com/officialcult

Source: Speakeasy PR

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DEATH CULT Announce Paradise Live – A 16-Track Live Album Documenting The Rebirth Of DEATH CULT

Posted in Music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, news, music news with tags , , , , , , , on October 9, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

Photo credit: Jackie Middleton

OUT JANUARY 16, 2026 https://deathcult.ffm.to/paradiselive

DEATH CULT/THE CULT TOUR DATES BEGIN TODAY

LISTEN TO “RESURRECTION JOE (LIVE)” NOW: https://deathcult.ffm.to/resurrectionjoe-live

Oct. 9, 2025 – Death Cult laid the groundwork for the band we now know as The Cult, and in 2023, to mark the band’s 40th anniversary, Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, along with John Tempesta on bass and Charlie Jones on drums, revived Death Cult for a special run of shows.

Out on Jan. 16, Paradise Live is a 16-track live album that documents this rebirth of Death Cult. Recorded at the iconic Albert Hall in Duffy’s hometown of Manchester on Nov. 18, 2023, the release, which features no overdubs, will be available on 2LP, CD, and digitally. Two editions of the vinyl will be available: a black splatter edition available exclusively from the band’s webstore, and a white splatter edition will be available everywhere else: https://deathcult.ffm.to/paradiselive.

At the center of the night’s set was the hypnotic 1982 Cult single “Resurrection Joe.” One of many high points of the evening, it is available to listen to now: https://deathcult.ffm.to/resurrectionjoe-live.

The Cult’s first incarnation was Southern Death Cult, formed in 1981, releasing their sole, self-titled album posthumously in 1983. That same year, Death Cult formed, with Ian Astbury joining forces with Billy Duffy for a musical partnership that has endured for 40+ years. Death Cult became The Cult in 1984 releasing Dreamtime that same year.

Ian and Billy initially weren’t sure how many shows they would do as Death Cult, but the post-punk gothic futurists decided to listen to the requests to keep the fervor going. The next leg of shows begins tonight in Niagara Falls and continues to Oct. 30 in Los Angeles. These truly special evenings will have Death Cult opening for The Cult.

The Cult has enjoyed numerous international and U.S. gold and platinum certifications. Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy have released 11 studio albums over The Cult’s 40-year career. The band found international renown with the 1985 album, Love, which featured the enduring rock anthem “She Sells Sanctuary,” as well as the oft-heard follow-up single “Rain.” 

Paradise Live – track-listing:

1/A1 83rd Dream

2/A2 Christians

3/A3 Gods Zoo

4/A4 Brothers Grimm

5/B1 Ghost Dance

6/B2 Butterflies

7/B3 A Flower in the Desert

8/B4 Resurrection Joe

9/C1 Horse Nation

10/C2 Go West

11/C3 Hollow Man

12/C4 Dreamtime

13/D1 Spiritwalker

14/D2 Rain

15/D3 Moya

16/D4 She Sells Sanctuary

DEATH CULT/THE CULT – TOUR DATES:

Oct 9 – Niagara Falls, ONT – OLG Stage At Fallsview Casino
Oct 11 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theater
Oct 12 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
Oct 14 – New York, NY – Beacon Theater
Oct 15 – Washington, DC – Warner Theater
Oct 17 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
Oct 18 – Atlanta, GA – Cobb Energy Center
Oct 20 – Fort Worth, TX – Will Rogers Auditorium
Oct 21 – San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theater
Oct 24 – Las Vegas, NV – The Pearl
Oct 25 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Oct 27 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
Oct 29 – San Diego, CA – The Sound
Oct 30 – Los Angeles, CA – Shrine Auditorium

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Death Cult. The Cult. North America Tour 8525 | 2025 Dates, Cities & Venues Listed

Posted in gothic, gothic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , on July 16, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

OCT 09 · Niagara Falls, ON · OLG STAGE AT FALLSVIEW CASINO
OCT 11 · Boston, MA · ORPHEUM THEATRE
OCT 14 · New York, NY · BEACON THEATRE
OCT 15 · Washington, DC · WARNER THEATRE
OCT 17 · Charlotte, NC · OVENS AUDITORIUM
OCT 18 · Atlanta, GA · COBB ENERGY CENTER
OCT 20 · Ft. Worth, TX · WILL ROGERS AUDITORIUM
OCT 21 · San Antonio, TX · MAJESTIC THEATRE
OCT 24 · Las Vegas, NV · THE PEARL
OCT 25 · San Diego, CA · THE SOUND
OCT 27 · San Francisco, CA · THE WARFIELD
OCT 30 · Los Angeles, CA · SHRINE AUDITORIUM

Tickets, on-sale Friday, July 18 at 10 a.m. (local): https://thecult.us/DC/index.html

Patriarchy opens as special guests.

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DEATH CULT – Announce Two Intimate U.S. Shows Ahead Of Cruel World Festival Appearance

Posted in gothic metal, gothic rock, Hard Rock, Metal, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , on May 2, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

May 2, 2025 – Legendary post-punk outfit Death Cult have slated two intimate club shows later this month: May 14 at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, and May 16 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.

Death Cult has performed in the U.S. only once before, and only a handful of times in Europe, making these appearances exceptionally rare. The dates come as Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy prepare for their inaugural outing at Cruel World Festival on May 17.

Tickets are on-sale now: https://thecult.us/official/.

May 14 San Francisco, CA The Regency Ballroom

May 16 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre

May 17 Pasadena, CA Cruel World Festival

Photo credit: Jackie Middleton

Southern Death Cult formed in 1981, releasing their self-titled debut posthumously in 1983. Death Cult followed that same year, forming a crucial bridge between the raw punk Astbury and Duffy cut their teeth on and the driving, psychedelia-laced rock that would follow. The band released two 12-inches that same year, one being the Death Cult EP, which were later combined and released as a CD. Death Cult is a vital transmission from the generation of Shamanic post-punk gothic futurists.

In 1984, Death Cult evolved into The Cult, releasing Dreamtime that same year and going on to release 11 full-length albums, earning numerous gold and platinum certifications worldwide.

Thecult.us

Instagram.com/officialcult

Facebook.com/officialcult

Twitter.com/officialcult

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THE CULT’S Beloved Post Punk Masterpiece “Dreamtime” Receives 40th Anniversary Vinyl Reissue

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , on December 5, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 23 VIA BEGGARS BANQUET, THE 10-SONG ALBUM WILL BE AVAILABLE ON BOTH OXBLOOD AND BLACK VINYL

PRE-ORDER HERE

Dec. 5, 2023 – The Cult, who celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2024, see their adventurous and highly-regarded debut album, Dreamtime, released as a special 40th anniversary vinyl variant on Feb. 23 via Beggars Banquet.

Originally released in 1984, following the band’s evolution from the Southern Death Cult, to Death Cult, and then simply The Cult, Dreamtime finds the outfit featuring Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, pivoting from their goth and punk roots into something eclectic, aspirational, and adventurous. Rife with lyrical references to the indigenous cultures of the Americas and Australia, and set against a more bombastic and muscular musical backdrop, Dreamtime hints at what would envelop the band over the next four decades, a dedication to their wholly unique songwriting, both musically and thematically, and the frenzy that was soon to come with the release of Love only a year later.

“Spiritwalker,” the first single from the album, hit #1 on the U.K.’s independent chart.

Available for pre-order now, the collection is available on both oxblood (indie retail) and black vinyl: https://thecult.ffm.to/dreamtimereissue.

Dreamtime – tracklist:

A1. Horse Nation
A2. Spiritwalker
A3. 83rd Dream
A4. Butterflied
A5. Go West

B1. Gimmick
B2. A Flower In the Desert
B3. Dreamtime
B4. Rider In the Snow
B5. Bad Medicine Waltz

The Cult formed in 1984 England, with the seminal post-punk band going on to sell in excess of four million albums with numerous international and U.S. gold and platinum certifications. Ian Astbury (vocals) and Billy Duffy (guitar) have released 11 studio albums over The Cult’s 40-year career. The band, dubbed “Shamanic goths” by Classic Rock Magazine, found international renown with the 1985 album, Love, which featured the enduring rock anthem “She Sells Sanctuary,” as well as the oft-heard follow-up single “Rain.”

Electric arrived in 1989, with Rolling Stone saying the collection of songs (particularly “Love Removal Machine,” “Wild Flower” and “Lil’ Devil”) “swaggers, crunches and howls.” Most recently, The Cult released Under the Midnight Sun. Mojo, in a review of the eight-song album, said “rock’s unquenchable melodramatists have the fire in their eyes still.”

In late 2023, Astbury and Duffy reformed Death Cult for a series of live performances including a sole U.S. date at The Theatre at The Ace Hotel and a limited run of U.K. dates including back-to-back sold out shows at the Brixton Electric.

Source: Speakeasy PR

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DEATH CULT Mark 40-Year History With Special Show On October 23rd At The Theatre At The Ace Hotel

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on August 14, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

SINGLE U.S. PERFORMANCE SEES THE BAND EXPLORE THEIR POST-PUNK ORIGINS WITH A SETLIST THAT SPANS THE THREE INCARNATIONS OF THE SEMINAL BAND

Aug. 14, 2023 – Death Cult returns. The storied post-punk progenitor to The Cult returns for a sole U.S. performance on Oct. 23 at The Theatre at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.

The evening, while centered around Death Cult and their eponymous EPs, will boast a setlist that spans the three phases of the band, from Southern Death Cult, to Death Cult, and The Cult’s first two albums: Dreamtime (1984) and Love (1985).

Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy follow the Los Angeles outing with a U.K. trek featuring the same, remarkable celebration of The Cult’s origins:

October 23 Los Angeles, CA The Theatre at The Ace Hotel
November 6 Belfast, UK Telegraph
November 7 Dublin, IE 3Olympia
November 9 Sheffield, UK Foundry
November 10 Liverpool, UK Guild of Students
November 12 Glasgow, UK Barrowland
November 13 Nottingham, UK Rock City
November 14 Birmingham, UK O2 Institute
November 16 Bournemouth, UK O2 Academy
November 17 Norwich, UK UEA
November 18 Manchester, UK Albert Hall
November 20 London, UK Brixton Electric
November 21 London, UK Brixton Electric

Tickets for all dates are on-sale this Friday, Aug. 18 at 10 am local time. Check for local pre-sale options.

Southern Death Cult formed in 1981, releasing their sole, self-titled album posthumously in 1983. That same year, Death Cult formed, with Astbury joining forces with Duffy for a musical partnership that has endured for 40-plus years. The band released two 12-inches that same year, one being the Death Cult EP, which were subsequently combined and released as a CD. Death Cult is a vital transmission from the generation of Shamanic post-punk gothic futurists.

Death Cult became The Cult in 1984. Releasing Dreamtime that same year and going on to experience a career that has seen the release of 11 full-length albums, as well as numerous international and U.S. gold and platinum certifications.

The band previously announced a series of traditional performances, spanning The Cult’s discography:

October 5 Sacramento, CA Aftershock Festival
October 6 Reno, NV Grand Sierra Resort & Casino – Grand Theatre *
October 8 Eugene, OR Hult Center for the Performing Arts – Soreng Theatre *
October 11 Spokane, WA Northern Quest Resort & Casino
October 12 Boise, ID Revolution Concert House *
October 14 Shelton, WA Little Creek Casino Resort – Skookum Event Center
October 15 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre *
October 17 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery
October 19 San Diego, CA Humphreys Concerts by the Bay *
October 20 San Diego, CA Humphreys Concerts by the Bay *
October 21 Rancho Mirage, CA Aqua Caliente Rancho Mirage – The Show
October 26 Chandler, AZ Gila River Hotels & Casino – The Showroom at Wild Horse Pass
October 27 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl *
October 28 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl *

*Cold Cave opens

Source: Speakeasy PR

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THE CULT Announce Western U.S. Fall Tour – Add Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival Performance For July

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , , on June 13, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

COLD CAVE OPENS ON FALL SHOWS

June 13, 2023 – The Cult have announced a slate of Western U.S. tour dates for this Fall, with the iconic rock band trekking across the region following their Aftershock Festival performance.

“We are thrilled to announce these shows,” Ian Astbury shares. “As we close the circle from ’83 to ’23, we are entering into this moment to celebrate with you all, what has been, and shall continue to be, The Cult’s continuing legacy.”

In addition, the band have also added a trio of July performances, including a July 14 slot at the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival.

The Cult U.S. tour dates:

July 12 Northfield, OH Center Stage at MGM Northfield
July 13 Peoria, IL Peoria Civic Center Theater
July 14 Milwaukee, WI Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival

October 5 Sacramento, CA Aftershock Festival
October 6 Reno, NV Grand Sierra Resort & Casino – Grand Theatre *
October 8 Eugene, OR Hult Center for the Performing Arts – Soreng Theatre *
October 11 Spokane, WA Northern Quest Resort & Casino
October 12 Boise, ID Revolution Concert House *
October 14 Shelton, WA Little Creek Casino Resort – Skookum Event Center
October 15 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre *
October 17 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery
October 19 San Diego, CA Humphreys Concerts by the Bay *
October 20 San Diego, CA Humphreys Concerts by the Bay *
October 21 Rancho Mirage, CA Aqua Caliente Rancho Mirage – The Show
October 26 Chandler, AZ Gila River Hotels & Casino – The Showroom at Wild Horse Pass
October 27 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl *
October 28 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl *

  • – Cold Cave opens

Tickets are on-sale this Friday at 10 am local time. VIP options, including deluxe seating, will be available simultaneously.

Photo credit: The Cult

The Cult formed in 1983 England, initially dubbed Death Cult, the seminal post-punk band have sold in excess of four million albums with numerous international and U.S. gold and platinum certifications. Ian Astbury (vocals) and Billy Duffy (guitar) have released 11 studio albums over The Cult’s 40-year career. The U.K. band, dubbed “Shamanic goths” by Classic Rock Magazine, found international renown with the 1985 album, Love, which featured the enduring rock anthem “She Sells Sanctuary,” as well as the oft-heard follow-up single “Rain.” Electricarrived in 1989, with Rolling Stonesaying the collection of songs (particularly “Love Removal Machine,” “Wild Flower” and “Lil’ Devil”) “swaggers, crunches and howls.” Most recently, The Cult released Under the Midnight Sun. Mojo, in a review of the eight-song album, said “rock’s unquenchable melodramatists have the fire in their eyes still.”

Source: Speakeasy PR

Thecult.us / Instagram.com/officialcult

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Happy Birthday To Ian Astbury (The Cult) And C.C. DeVille (Poison) – May 14th

Posted in birthdays, celebrity birthdays, classic rock, Hard Rock, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 14, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Above: Ian Astbury – The Cult – Rebirth Of The Phoenix – CD (KTS) (Live in USA 1992)
1991 Brockum Rockcards #286

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THE CULT “Sonic Temple” – 1989 Album Is: Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on July 17, 2014 by Metal Odyssey

The Cult - Sonic Temple - promo cover pic - classic

THE CULT – I was first introduced to the music of The Cult from Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale, back in our college days. The first album (actually cassette) that Coverdale had me listen to from The Cult was 1987’s Electric. That album’s title pretty much sums up how The Cult always came across to me with their Heavy Rock: Electric.

1989 seemed to be the transition year for every Heavy Metal band out there. Grunge was coming in like a stampede and the rest was history. However, The Cult made a HUGE statement with their fourth album Sonic Temple. Two hit songs, Fire Woman and Sweet Soul Sister made it to Headbangers Ball on MTV, with a damn good rotation at that. It definitely was solidified, through Sonic Temple, that Electric was no fluke and The Cult were no longer a Gothic Rock band; even though Gothic Rock was still swirling about the underground with pride and bushels of fans, in 1989.

The Cult - Sonic Temple - promo cover pic - classic

I believe Sonic Temple was the breakthrough album for The Cult. The one-two punch of Electric and Sonic Temple took The Cult to an Arena level; there’s just no disputing that. For my ears, the vocals of Ian Astbury have always been powerful and on Sonic Temple there’s no exception. When great guitarists names are mentioned or written about, I seldom hear or see Billy Duffy’s name. I’ll be honest with you, Billy Duffy has always been a top contender and he’s a thrill to listen to on Sonic Temple! Plus… that’s Billy Duffy pictured on the Sonic Temple album cover (above). Ian Astbury is also pictured on the album cover’s foreground.

As a songwriting team, Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy are nothing short of remarkable, in my Metal opinion. Sonic Temple was (and still is) heavy enough to magnetically lure fans of (as examples) Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Scorpions; trust me, I witnessed it with my own eyes. If you’ve never listened to The Cult, I suggest you do. Anyone new to Sonic Temple should be left in awe of the album opener Sun King; while pondering how The Cult can possibly top this song on the remainder of the album. Sonic Temple is nothing short of a true Heavy Rock classic. – Stone

_____________________________

Metal Side Notes:

* Jamie Stewart (bass) and Mickey Curry (drums) were the rhythm section on Sonic Temple. Yes, they nailed it on this album.

* Sonic Temple peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200.

* My idea to revisit Sonic Temple came about from my Metal Buddy Dave; he guessed the song very easily that I played on the jukebox, recently, at our favorite watering hole. Dave being a true fan of The Cult was super pumped to hear Fire Woman blaring loud; it made me very proud.

The Cult - Sonic Temple - promo cover pic - classic

* For more info on THE CULT:

Website: http://www.thecult.us

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/officialcult

Stone - Motorhead Tee pic:small

LONG LIVE THE CULT.

Stone.

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HAPPY METAL BIRTHDAY MATT SORUM!

Posted in 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, celebrity birthdays, hard rock drummers, hard rock fashions, hard rock music, heavy metal birthdays, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll fashions, rock celebrity birthdays, rock drummers, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 19, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Metal Odyssey hereby bellows, with Heavy Metal enthusiasm, a Happy Metal Birthday to Matt Sorum! 49 years on planet Earth has Matt Sorum been, arriving on November 19, 1960. Matt Sorum is the drummer for Velvet Revolver and former drummer for Guns N’ Roses and The Cult. (These are the most famous bands that Matt Sorum has been drummer for). A Heavy Metal milestone for Matt Sorum happened this Fall of 2009, where he filled in as the drummer for the ultra legendary Motorhead. (Mikkey Dee of Motorhead took a leave of absence to be on a reality television show, some sort of survivor type show).

Man, if there ever was a sharp dressed man, Matt Sorum has the knack for looking sharp. ZZ Top must have wrote Sharp Dressed Man with Matt Sorum in mind. Matt Sorum has his own clothing line too, if I had the extra loot I would be buying his stuff and strutting the look. Oh well, I guess the $12 jeans from Walmart will suffice me for now. Matt Sorum teamed up with renowned fashion designer Max Noce and launched the Sorum Noce Clothing Line this past March of 2009.

As for Matt Sorum on drums, what can I say? This guy is real good. C’mon, the three bands he has been drummer for are no slouches within the world of Heavy Metal. To have been the drummer for those three bands of their status, man, that basically says it all. Plus, once Velvet Revolver makes a return, (with a new lead singer of course), Matt Sorum will be manning the skins and continuing his Hard Rock/Heavy Metal legacy. As I read a quote from Lemmy Kilmister, (vocalist & bass guitarist of Motorhead), recently, he referred to Matt Sorum as a professional. ‘Nuff said.

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