The Cult are an English rock band formed in 1983 around Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, moving from gothic post-punk to full-blown hard rock over the course of the '80s. Love (1985, with She Sells Sanctuary) and Sonic Temple (1989) are the classic entry points into that transformation. Explore The Cult vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
The Cult formed in 1983 in the United Kingdom, growing out of Ian Astbury's earlier bands Southern Death Cult and Death Cult. The enduring creative partnership of vocalist Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy has anchored the band through numerous lineup changes. The Cult emerged from the post-punk and gothic scene and developed into a major hard rock act over the 1980s and beyond.
The Cult began in post-punk and gothic rock and progressively embraced hard rock, blues rock, and arena rock, drawing on classic-rock influences. Astbury's powerful, mystical vocal style and Duffy's anthemic guitar riffs define the band's sound. Their evolution from goth to hard rock is frequently cited as a notable stylistic transformation of the era.
Love, Electric, and Sonic Temple have been reissued in expanded and anniversary editions, including the Electric Peace release pairing Electric with its earlier Manor Sessions version. Original Beggars Banquet and Sire pressings are collected.
Listeners new to The Cult often start with Love (1985) or Sonic Temple (1989). For related listening, see and .
