The Cult Release (In December) ‘Death Cult 8323’ – Two New Songs To Celebrate Their 40th

While I’m on record as a big fan of the Cult, I have to admit I was late getting on the bandwagon. They were almost 20 years down the road when the Rock Chick turned me onto them in earnest. I mean sure, I was one of those “Fire Woman,” or “Love Removal Machine” fans before her. So it’s likely no surprise when I think about the birth of the Cult I trace it to 1984 when they released their debut album, Dreamtime. But the roots of the Cult actually stretch back to 1983 when singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy first joined forces under the moniker Death Cult. That name stems from Astbury’s earlier band the Southern Death Cult. All these years later I’m guessing they’re happy they edited it down to just the Cult…what a cool band name and it frightens people when they see me in one of the band’s t-shirts.

As long time readers know, I like to stay up with new releases from the bands I like and I’m usually like a hawk for new music from the Cult. Towards the end of 2023 I started seeing the cool “Death Cult 8323” symbol, pictured above, with the black/white/red butterfly. Knowing the Cult were coming off a tour in support of their last LP, the great Under The Midnight Sun (a tour where I got to see them twice, in Denver and then a sensational show in KC), I assumed the Death Cult thing was to advertise their 40th anniversary. I saw the symbol on social media – and bear in mind I only got on social media to follow rock n roll bands… well, and cat videos – and I thought the whole “Death Cult 8323” was to herald some dates they were playing in their native England to celebrate the big anniversary. As occasionally happens, and please don’t tell my wife, I was wrong.

I don’t know how I missed it, but it ends up Death Cult 8323 heralded the release of a “double-sided single,” with two great new tracks from the Cult, which is always grounds for celebration and the stereo being turned up as loud as the neighbors will allow. At first I thought the tracks might date back to 1983 but no, these two tracks stem from the aforementioned Under The Midnight Sun sessions. Stylistically, soundwise, any way you wanna look at it-wise, these tracks sound akin with that album. The two new songs, “C.O.T.A.” (which stands for “Communion of the Animals”), and “Flesh And Bone” would have been a great add to that Cult LP and fit snugly beside “Give Me Mercy.” And lets be honest, that album was only 8 tracks long, they had the room. Maybe they held these two tracks back knowing they were celebrating 40 years together.

As you might have guessed, I really dig the tracks. “C.O.T.A.” begins with on an ominous drum beat from Jon Tempesta (what a great drummer he’s been for this band). Duffy comes in with atmospheric electric/acoustic guitars. Then Astbury’s hits us with that fabulous baritone, “The words of a godless man, Is anybody listening?,” a question I often ask myself… The interplay between Astbury’s vocals and Duffy’s tortured guitar on the chorus is worth the price of admission here. “There are no seasons here anymore…hold fast…communion of the animals.” As much as I love that song, my favorite of the two new ones is probably “Flesh And Bone.” The only way I found out about these new tracks in my wife’s car and “Flesh And Bone” popped up on her Spotify, which was playing random tracks… I was like, “What?” The Rock Chick was, “I thought you knew?” They say communication in marriage is a key.

“Flesh And Bone” starts quietly with some strings and/or keyboards. It’s midtempo like “C.O.T.A” to start with. “We danced against their guns, Underwent what was done, Our world is quickenin’, We can’t fight everyone, We can’t fight.” It’s a slow build until the chorus. “Run, run, run, you’re only flesh and bone.” I really like Duffy’s melodic guitar solo on this one. Tempesta’s drums anchor the thing. After the solo it gets quiet and the band kicks in… Oh, yes. Here are the two tracks, a worthy late career edition to anybody’s Cult listening:

While something like this generally gets me thinking the Cult might give us something new this year, they took 6 years between their last albums and I doubt anything new will be popping up. I’m sure they’ll be out on the road this year and I will definitely be in a dark crowded room cheering them on somewhere… Until then, enjoy these new tracks!

Cheers!