The Cult Choice of Weapon

One of the finest British rock acts to have enjoyed worldwide success over the last few decades, THE CULT, has wrapped up recording Choice Of Weapon, the group's first studio album in five years. The album is set for a May 22nd North American release on the band's new label, Cooking Vinyl, and its 10 tracks reveal the band at its rawest and most visceral, encapsulating cinematic visions and themes of love, revolt, and redemption.

Choice Of Weapon is the follow up to the 2007 release, Born Into This. Long-time Cult collaborator and producer Bob Rock (METALLICA, BUSH), who produced one of The Cult's most successful albums, the Platinum-certified Sonic Temple, put the finishing touches on the foundations that were laid by co-producer Chris Goss (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, MASTERS OF REALITY).

The album was written by Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, recorded in New York City, Los Angeles, the California high desert, and the band's Witch Mountain studio between July and December 2011. The new release features founding members Astbury on vocals and Duffy on guitars, with drummer John Tempesta and bassist Chris Wyse.

"We have had the opportunity to work with two of the most influential and talented producers in the world today," said Astbury. "They pushed us beyond our comfort zone, and helped us craft Choice of Weapon."

Choice of Weapon is aimed at the heart of The Cult's loyal following. It reflects the current discontent and destruction of our eco systems, the search for individual meaning against a tide of rampant materialism, narcissism and disconnected lives.

"We went deeper . . . we worked a bit harder on this record. We have great fans and they deserve our best," added Duffy, "and I feel this is as strong as any album we have ever released.

The Cult is working on film and graphic elements to accompany the album's release, and plans are being confirmed for the band's 2012 World Tour.

According to Billboard, Choice Of Weapon will be preceded by the first single, 'For The Animals', which Astbury says reflects the Cult's attitude about making music. "The Cult is like an archetypal outsider group; we've never really fit in with one particular sect or genre," he explains. "We've never been pigeonholed. We've stayed open to other influences... But some people don't like that. They want to say, 'We know who you are' and they try to put a leash on you. So this is about identifying with a raw, visceral animal. We don't belong to anybody. We go where nature takes us."

Astbury adds: "Our intention was to make a record that was fresh. It's of its time, and we captured exactly where we're at right now, in the early part of the 21st century. I'm watching so many artists just terrified to make a statement of any kind. They're afraid they're going to get ripped apart in the blogosphere or torn apart by some critic who's basically just out of diapers. So many (artists) seem to be scared to come out and say what they feel. A lot of rock 'n' roll music has lost its teeth."

Choice Of Weapon tracklist:

'Honey From a Knife'

'Elemental Light'

'For The Animals'

'Life>Death'

'The Wolf'

'Amnesia'

'Lucifer'

'Wilderness Now'

'A Pale Horse'

'This Night in the City Forever'