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THE REVIEW
There was a brief period of time in the history of Rock, between the release of Appetite for Destruction and that of Nevermind, when the record industry sniffed the business of Hair Metal.
Everyone (and I mean everyone!) was forced to tease their hair, get highlights, and wear lipstick and mascara... in short, the triumph of macho madness.
Well, even a respectable guitarist like Billy Duffy, with an indisputable postpunk and new wave past, and an iconic Rockabilly look with his nice blonde pompadour and white Gretsch guitar, was forced to grow his hair and wield the obligatory Gibson.
The Cult - Sonic Temple
Setting aside the dark wave and psychedelic ambitions of Love and the classic Hard Rock of Electric, in 1989 Sonic Temple was born, an album where the honest British band retraces the path of a Zeppelin-like sound revitalized (or mortified?) by the Los Angeles vibe of the late '80s, whose cultural and fashion references were as much Tommy Lee as Peter North, Axel Rose and Ron Jeremy, Lita Ford and Traci Lords...
The tracks are all catchy and very American. Simple, direct, and effective.
In short, back then you could spend a good hour at the stereo, imagining improbable escapes on the back of a Harley Davidson, pursued by very unbuttoned blonde police officers.
That day back in 1989 when I bought the album, I was with a very pretty girl (a real knockout, to be honest).
I went on and on about who the Cult had been up to then... she very calmly said to me: "I only listen to the Doors. I like Jim Morrison!"
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Summary by Bot
Sonic Temple marks a period where The Cult embraced the late 80s hair metal trend, blending British postpunk roots with an American hard rock sound. The album delivers catchy, straightforward tracks that evoke imagery of classic rock escapism. While reflecting a commercial shift, the record captures a unique cultural moment influenced by prominent 80s rock icons.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
The Cult
The Cult are an English rock band formed in Bradford in 1983, associated with both gothic rock/post-punk and later hard rock, and best known for their mid-1980s to late-1980s albums and singles.13 Reviews
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