helterskelter.ca

THE CULT
1985 - Love.
1987 - Electric.
1989 - Sonic Temple.
1991 - Ceremony.
way more Helter Skelter.

October 28, 1985 - 2020: 35 years of: Love.

A British rock-band ...so you know it's good !

From the ashes of DEATH CULT, the nucleus of singer Ian Astbury and guitar-player Billy Duffy joined up and crafted THE CULT. After 1984's neo-punk Dreamtime LP, the game was on. Fuller production, bigger sound and wider ideas, 1985's Love LP is the rock-album most rock-bands wish they could accomplish. Don't get distracted by their glamorous videos and romantic looks, let the true darkrock vibe take you away, where rebels and gypsies congregate to loud-music all night long.

Dive head-first into the up-beats of "Nirvana". An instant crowd-mover as the bass rhythm shoves you around into submission. The guitar cuts like a knife and slashes into the monstrous title-track, the shinny diamond not carved by AC/DC.

Take a trip into the sundown on the eerie "Brother Wolf; Sister Moon", while the melodic and heart-warming "Revolution" reeks shades of 60s-psychedelia. Get back home-safe and rock hard along "The Hollow Man" and rock harder with "The Phoenix", where Mr. Duffy becomes the ultimate ringmaster on top of the rocknroll-mountain.

Signature-track #1:
One of England's best rock song, ever. Once again, simple is the key and rocknroll is the game. Still today, this one remains one of the band's most cherished anthems. The echoed guitar opens-up, the commanding bass-line divinely delivers and dark rocknroll swallows you alive. The epic "She Sells Sanctuary" is not only the essence of rock, but the back-bone of one of the best English band.

Signature-track #2:
When it "Rain" it pours. This is a perfect trashy rock-cut, the simple verse, the repeated chanting chorus, the reverbed guitars and Astbury's memorable melody-line. This infectious vibe is raw, groovy and nerve-damaging. This heavy soaked chorus will haunt you for life: Here comes the rain !

35 years ago, in an new-wave infested scene, these boys didn't follow the easy road behind DEF LEPPARD or WHITESNAKE, they got high and took rocknroll deeper into uncharted territories.

The immortal trilogy, from the gothic vibes of 1985's Love LP, to the biker-rock of 1987's Electric LP to 1989's blunt mastodon Sonic Temple LP ...THE CULT is a glorious British rock-band !

RIP Nigel Preston (1963-1992)

*
She Sells Santuary = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCOSPtyZAPA
Rain = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD5b_0QB0wI
Revolution = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tYjiOq6Ogc
Love = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWyO-v_TCvY&list=PLBHcUEhUrXk7DirQMRklUuCggphbTjqIk
Interview in 1985
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il2P8KdJEUY
Live on Top Of The Pops in 1985
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHJ3d9Zg4qo
Live at The Ritz in 1985
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFQXfGhkrNY

April 4, 1987 - 2022: 35 years of: Electric.

Time to kick-ass !

1987 is THE YEAR for barebones hard rocknroll. Ya might probably heard some of these Platinum-selling mega-hit-machines: Appetite For Destruction, Girls Girls Girls, Permanent Vacation, Whitesnake and the universal Hysteria ...and now from the homeland of heavyrock comes the rebirth of legendary West-Yorkshire rockers: THE CULT

From neo-punks to hardrock, THE CULT never disappoints, never and the all killers - no fillers streamrolling Electric LP, just like ZEPPELIN and KISS did some years earlier, is supercharged-rock. Back to basics, primitive rocknroll: blue jeans, black leather, Gretsch guitars, Fender basses, Marshall amps and biker attitude ...THESE ARE THE RULES - THIS IS THE LAW !!!

The intro riff to "Wild Flower" cracks skulls instantly, that dry guitar-tone strikes like lightning while the rhythm section thrusts this song into classicrock-heaven in a flash. First track, first kill ! "Peace Dog" is the song AC/DC never wrote. The "Cat Scratch Fever"-type riff is all balls-out face-ripping guitars. Second track, second kill ! The outlaw-themed "Lil' Devil" is another crystal pure lethal rock-anthem. This time the A-key bass-driven rhythm takes the lead. Third track, third kill !

Still want some more huh ?

"Electric Ocean" is another gem, with great chords and greater power-chords, while the fast-paced "Bad Fun" is double-bassdrum galloping pleasure with an overdriven-lead. The LP closes with the off-set rhythm of "Memphis Hip Shake": loud, heavy and obnoxious ...a real heavy-rock hitter.

The album's zenith is found on "Love Removal Machine". This number is still, 35 years later, the closing track in their live-set. Unashamed homage to the ROLLING STONES's "Start Me Up", "Removal Machine" is the rock-song most boys dream of while ...learning the tools-of-the-trades. The riff, the bass-line, the drums, the voice and Billy Duffy's blazing metal-lead: the party-track to all rock-parties, this one is all spot-lights and glorious fury.

All killers - no fillers !

The addition of STEPPENWOLF's fuming "Born To Be Wild" seams fitting, while given the CULT-treatment as the almighty Ian Astbury was / is / will always be one of hardrock's most cherished vocalist.

Electric is not only a return album for the band, it's a bold statement that this crew would not give an inch to their Sunset Strip compadres. Although vintage rockers, the boys were well aware of the other scenes, as we can spot both SAMHAIN and BEASTIE BOYS tshirts worn in their videos. Two full-length versions of this album are in circulation: the lively Steve Brown mixed Manor Studio and the Rick Rubin re-recorded commercially available release.

After 1985's successful Love LP, some bands are lucky enough to get ONE single hit in their entire career, THE CULT now possesses quite a few and that collection would grow significantly stronger with their upcoming third massive hit ...the 1989 mo-nu-men-tal Sonic Temple LP !

*
Wild Flower = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NxrphVL7bQ
Lil' Devil = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZUABAirbE4
Love Removal Machine = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6PgftKbQnQ
Electric = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7kB7sycL28&list=PLXDG0TgiA_kXGWLLTSAxeSGmJAAgBZJNn
Interview in 1987
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1kRRtV6wm4
Live BBC broadcast in 1987
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUMAnzuVht8

April 11, 1989 - 2024: 35 years of: Sonic Temple.

One of the 80's zenith.

In a blaze of glory, after 1987's powerage Electric LP, THE CULT would now shut the doors on the 80s. This suave sacred maximum-rocknroll unit would swallow American hardrock an initiate the masses to this secret death cult, deep inside the Sonic Temple ...because Brits do it better !

The tension builds-up to the eventual breaking-point. THE CULT breaks the bank and associated eardrums, as the "Sun King" awakens. Crushing rhythms and the commanding preaching of Ian Astbury, this is elite hardrock. Blunt power shoots straight from the hips from downtown "New York City", while "Automatic Blues" sandstorms any souls left standing.

The rugged vibe of "Soldier Blue" shines light on their early neo-punks roots, while the arenarock mastodon single for "Sweet Soul Sister", might very well be 1989's best rock track. Fact ! Ringing the bell twice, the following two MTV-bending singles could be considered, some of the last epic offerings of the decadent decade.

Top-shelf, top-class powerballad "Edie (Ciao Baby)" mesmerize on cue. Silk and sulfur clashes into a gigantic rock-monster, featuring cello-undertones and obviously, a high-gain lead by Manchester-man Billy Duffy ...the perfect powerballad. Ablaze under her hot sexy looks, the dominant "Fire Woman" is fully in control. Hard enough for rockers and cool enough for radio, this lethal mix is all shake, shake, shake, shake it yeah !

Bob Rock produced, RIAA-Certified Platinum and recorded with a session-drummer, the skins would soon be beaten live by new hard-hitter and future gunner: Matt Sorum. Although touring the US along METALLICA is somewhat of a faux-pas, this unlikely match didn't decelerate the rock-machine.

One reason why THE CULT wasn't has commercially big in America has other rock-contemporaries, is that they were unjustifiably lumped into glamrock by the medias. Drowned in hair-bands, they were immediately devaluated by the market. Remember that UK-hardrock and US-hardrock are two different animals. THE CULT fits nicely among other arenarock country-mates DEF LEPPARD and WHITESNAKE.

Between good and evil, after losing both Sorum and long-time bassist Jamie Stewart, the English-duo would provide more classy hard-stuff with the Ceremony CD, in late-Summer 1991 ...the end of an era for hardrock.

"Shake it boy !"

*
Fire Woman = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g6h1vI4Xv0
Edie (Ciao Baby) = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oRwlSIn918
Sweet Soul Sister = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqcAidqgqmU
Sonic Temple = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XulS6K6oeDM&list=OLAK5uy_kYJrpKVd7iiPF8ugHxaZ_uIqS6t6g8uro
Interview in 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F24saL-2PQ
Rehearsal in 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEShA05X6_s
Live at the MTV VMA in 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPY8Qn3DSB4
Live in Toronto in 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlJrB-hQPEI

September 24, 1991 - 2021: 30 years of: Ceremony.

The Peace Dog keeps on barking !

Monstrous, impeccable and mature hardrock, THE CULT is the powerhouse that sets the standards. Gifted singer Ian Astbury and focused guitarist Billy Duffy are one of the genre's best creative duo. After the perfect execution of 1985's Love, 87's Electric and 89's Sonic Temple LP, one of hardrock's ultimate trilogy ...it was time for a last call.

The suave solid-rock starts with "Ceremony", a testament to classic Euro-hardrock. Killer hooks and laid-back deep heavy rhythms. This beast cannot be tamed, from Father to Son, as "Wild Hearted Son" rips thru the stereo in true rebel-rock fashion. Heavy-rock, oozing with a 60s-vibe rings aloud on "Bangkok Rain" along the upbeat and empowering, the commanding "Earth Mofo".

Darkness and melancholy, synonymous with Astbury's voice, gently rocks us on the symphonic "Indian", an audacious acoustic and cello composition. A cut that encapsulate the album's Native American theme. And now, the gigantic "Heart Of Soul", one of the last epic hardrock powerballad of the golden-era, instantly lits up and fills the hall with heavenly vibes. Play loud.

Bold, British and beautiful.

Sadly, drum-engine Matt Sorum couldn't participate on the album, as he was now the locomotive for the GUNS N' ROSES nightrain. And more sadly, the rock-landscape was put in heavy limbo, as the new flavor of the month sat back the entire hardrock-genre off it's feet ...courtesy of the flannels of Seattle.

*
Wild Hearted Son = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Z9C4XO8fA
Heart Of Soul = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygd5T_jimSk
Ceremony = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hVndMrC6U0&list=PLHTo__bpnlYXaStBIYMWo1PsuZcBZBETp
Interview in 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz_Jf0ut_no
Live in Italy in 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ0PbtX4wsA