DEATH CULT - DEATH CULT

Ian Astbury started his first band in 1981 and called it the Southern Death Cult. In 1983 the group disbanded and alongside Billy Duffy, Ian formed Death Cult. There was a growing Goth movement in British music at the time and Death Cult was one of the more popular groups. The group later became simply, The Cult.

The Death Cult cd collects this early material and made it available on cd for the first time. Another EP was released afterward that collected all material from this time. It's called 'Ghost Dance' for those interested. A six song EP, 'Gods Zoo' is the first and last track. The second version being an extended rework of the original track retitled, 'Gods Zoo (These Times)'.

The Cult became one of the biggest Goth Metal bands of the 80s with Ian's vocals and Duffy's hooks inspiring a cult following of dedicated fans. But at this point in time, they were somewhere between the Doors and early U2. The garage band sound of Death Cult sounds like post modern punk on crystal meth.

Although I appreciate this disc as a bridge in the development of one of my favorite rock bands, I have a hard time getting into most of the tracks. They lack the infectious melodies of latter classics and the more refined, disciplined voice of Ian just a year later. But everyone starts somewhere. And for The Cult this wasn't a bad jumping off point. It's not a bad disc to cut your teeth on The Cult either. My final word: WAIT.

DEATH CULT - DEATH CULT
01. Gods Zoo
02. Brothers Grimm
03. Ghost Dance
04. Horse Nation
05. Christians
06. Gods Zoo (These Times)