Customer Reviews

Ceremony

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have been a huge Cult fan for years. When this CD was released I was in love with it because it was the Cult. I was not as enthralled with it as I had been with prior CD's and actually became a little dissapointed. Then I kept on listening and the more I listened the more I loved it. If you turn up Earth Mofo and just let loose this track really rock's. Sweet Salvation is a heartfelt jam that really get's strong at the end. I can honestly say the song Full Tilt is one of the worst tracks by the Cult. It sound's forced and really not worth it. The rest of the disk is a powerful collection of 80's power metal with American Indian sound's blended in. If you hate it at first, try it again. I truly feel that one will love this CD by the third or fourth listen. Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper to find a real gem.

This is the album that marks the begining of the end of The Cult's history. It isn't a bad album, on the contrary, it has great songs like "Sweet salvation" or "Wild hearted son", it has a great sound production and so on, but it has some very boring moments too, without inspiration and without the strenght they had on, for example "Electric". Some people may say it is more mature, but I say it is less genuine.

In the fall of 1991, 'Ceremony' was one of four albums I was looking forward to . . . the others being Metallica's 'Metallica' (black album), Guns'n'Roses 'Use Your Illusion', and U2's 'Achtung Baby'. Of course, this was the most disappointing of all four of these releases because, unlike the other three bands, The Cult did very little to expand upon its previous release, 1989's 'Sonic Temple'. Is it any suprise that Metallica, Guns'N'Roses, and U2 ended up selling over 10 million copies each, while 'Ceremony' remains somewhat obscure in The Cult cannon.

That said, the similarity between 'Ceremony' and 'Sonic Temple' (for example, "Ceremony" sounds like "Sun King" and "Wild Hearted Son" sounds like "Fire Woman") also means that if you liked 'Sonic Temple', you'll probably enjoy 'Ceremony' as well. (I tend to place both of them in the CD player back-to-back.) Think of 'Ceremony' as 'Sonic Temple - Part II', continuing along the same sonice and spiritual paths. That's not to say that there are not some gems that stand on their own ("Earth Mofo" and "White"). Nonetheless, being a fan of The Cult, I would rank it among my least favorite.

this cd is definately my personal favorite cult cd.from beginning to end is really brilliant. from hits like wild hearted son,& heart of soul. to rock songs like earth mofo,ceremony,white,if and the beautiful-sweet salvation. theres is a little something for everyone on this cd, its totally worth the buy so get it and listen to it and be as facinated with it as i am!

Amazon please monitor sellers advertising remastered versions and delivering old versions of cd's and blaming amazon .
I have purchased this cd 5 times now and more frustration everytime I am delivered the wrong item. I love this cd and I would love to hear the remastered version ,

Having a history with The Cult since '85, I've found each Cult album stands on it's own merit. The drastic side step Ceremony was from the much (and in my opinion, overly) heralded Sonic Temple was too much for most mainstream rock fans. This album holds itself up mightily with a mix of mind melting guitar work and passionate vocals. Frontman Ian Astbury bellows from the depths of loneliness and introspect on tracks like "If","Wild Hearted Son", and "Heart of Soul". His voice is powerful, angry, and yeilding. These aspects make him one of the most unique to bang the tamborine but still be able to tell you to shut up, and you'll listen.
Having all their major releases, their three major boxed set compilations, and numerous unauthorized recordings, I've learned Billy Duffy can really play the gutar well. He can play rreeaaally well. On this release, he carries nearly every tune. Arguably this is his finest work. A smarmy intro to a thundering riff brings "Ceremony" to life. "Earth Mofo" is not for the faint of heart as you feel the rush as it hits your veins, and it feels gooood. "White" is a shared accompaniment of gentle acoustic melody before giving way to almost anthemic imagery. "Full Tilt" builds to a gate crashing cresendo. The seemingly love it or it's just O.K. the 6:05 "Wonderland" grooves you with a very funky beat until Billy gives you a dose of what he can do about half way through until the end of the track. Put on your headphones and turn it up,...LOUD. You are in for a treat, courtesy of William Henry Duffy.
Ceremony has a heavier and more raw, but methodical, feel to it as a whole than it's predessor, Sonic Temple, so maybe that's why it wasn't perceived as well. It stands on it's own merit. Give it a deep, unbiased, listen and you will be glad you did.

If a little green man came down from outerspace and wanted to now about the Cult. This is one of the Cd@s I would give him.

I have been a Cult fan since the release of "Love ", And then it was "Electric"!, And then "Sonic", And Now Cermony.

This is a different sound from the last three that I have in my collection, I like this Cd ,And I would tell any Cult fan to get a copy of Cermony and at it to their collection , And if you are new to the Cult?, Pick up "Love" first ,And then "Sonic" and then be your own judge !

While not as dynamic as say Love, or Electric, it is as good as Sonic Temple if not better. Wild Hearted Son is probably among the best songs they have ever recorded. It seems much more introspective than much of their earlier work, which is a nice change of pace.

Even though I am a tremendous Cult fan this disc took me a few listens. I have to admit I was hoping for more after Sonic Temple. But this cd still has some amazing highlights. Especially the end of this disc.

It does tend to be a bit bloated and forced at times but let's face it...Even at their worst The Cult still sound better than most of the other band of their time.