Choice of Weapon

The Cult | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 22, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Essential Music
• ASIN: B0072IVGZG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,260 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2012 release from the veteran British-born rockers, the follow up to the critically-acclaimed 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. 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 album 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. '

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars If this was the followup to Beyond more fans would have been happier, sooner! May 22, 2012

By J. reed

Format:Audio CD

Reaction upon first listening - the production is back to high quality, which is nice since the last album (Born Into This) was underproduced - or perhaps, just produced in a style not fitting of The Cult's music. A lot of Cult fans thought that Beyond Good and Evil was overproduced, and I can see what they mean, though I love that CD. The production here is probably closer to Sonic Temple than either Born or Beyond. Nice balance between the instruments / vocals. Ian sounds great and Billy's growling tone is back!

The songs are really good. Nice groove on "The Wolf." "Life > Death" is classic mellow Cult. Some good rockers as well! After listening a couple more times "Amnesia" and "A Pale Horse" are cool tunes and "Wilderness Now" is really growing on me. I really think it must have been hard to pick a single for this album. This is The Cult that I've been missing since Beyond Good and Evil. In many ways, this might be The Cult some fans have been missing since much earlier in their career.

While I would have loved a bit more ferocity, the album doesn't suffer for the lack there of. I think they blend the history of their various sounds well here. I hear traces of almost every album at various places in these songs, and while this one might not necessarily become anyones favorite Cult CD - there's something here for every Cult fan. It encompasses the history of The Cult, but doesn't sound redundant - familiar, but fresh. It's a very solid effort!

One thing that might bother some of my fellow Billy Duffy followers is there aren't solos on every song, not that the album lacks his presence, his signature playing is all over these songs - more than Born Into This at any rate.... As a guitar player, I can say this doesn't detract from the songs themselves, but since Billy's one of my favorites - I would have loved for him rip it up a bit more.

The capsule (bonus) songs, for anyone who hasn't heard them, are a nice addition on the Deluxe Edition, so if you missed your chance to get them the first time you'll want the DE. I really like "Siberia" and "Embers."

Get the 2-disc deluxe version now for only $9.99 here on Amazon, or at Best Buy! It was pointed out to me that the single disc version comes out June 4. You might as well get the 4 studio cuts from the "capsules" for free while you can. Also, know that that there is no mention of the bonus disc or extra songs on the packaging. Since I was unaware of the separate release dates for both versions at the time, I had to hold the case to the light and look down into the packaging to see that there were 2 discs included on either side of the booklet. Just for kicks, the UPC for my deluxe edition is 711297494891.

Fellow Amazonian Andrew S. Smith points out that iTunes has the album + bonus tracks for $7.99! Thanks, Andrew! Read more ›

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Sounds Like All Of Their Past Albums Alchemized Into One May 23, 2012

By "The Woj"

Format:Audio CD

As a long time Cultist, a fan who owns all the bands albums and box sets, including all the Instant Live Recordings from about a half a decade back (I know, you're happy for me), I feel I can speak with some authority as well as write a excellent run on sentence. COW is an obvious return to form when you compare it to the last "pink" release, I forgot the name, in which Billy Duffy was sonically MIA, Ian sounded winded, the songs were well below par for the band and most importantly it did not respect "The Rock".
Personally, I may hear more of a rebirth, reincarnation or regeneration having listened to COW about 5 times over now (and listening at a reasonably loud volume, through real speakers. The Cult are not an earbud, mp3 player band). The songs, their sound, the mix, the lyrics and the entire vibe of the album seems to incorporate everything the band has ever done...including the early Death Cult albums. COW for me, moves the band to an entirely new level...more mature & less pretentious while still being able to rock out and have something important to say. So, if you are a Cult fan, this album is pretty much a done deal (I got mine at Best Buy yesterday for $9.99 and it is the 2 disc version). I rate it 4th in the same tier as "Electric", "Love" and "Sonic Temple". Because I have a tendency to listen with my "Electric" tinted glasses, I rate COW at 4.5 stars instead of 5. If you are more of a "Love" person, then it may rate a 5. 'Nuff said on that point if you really know this band. For new fans, this is really an excellent place to start. "Place to start" is a phrase very few older rock bands can boast on their current releases. After spending a few weeks digesting this release, you can move back in time to the 3 albums mentioned previously....
And last of all with no disrespect to Jamie or Matt, this is the best rhythm section the band has ever had.
So either add to cart or head over to Best Buy before they close up for good!
****Car experience update - Having listened on my Bose computer speakers for the first half a dozen or so listens, I did not realize how "loud" this recording is. In loud I mean sonically challenged, similar to Metallica's "Death Magnetic". I have read the dynamic range on this recording is very low and some have used the term "brickwalled". I really needed to turn the volume down in my car considerably and found my ears a bit "pissed off" after about 20 minutes of listening. Again, no slam on the music, just the overall "listening experience". I am interested to read if anyone else has noticed this or has any thoughts.....rock on!**** Read more ›

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The One We Have Been Waiting For May 24, 2012

By C. Welch

Format:Audio CD

Finally after the ho-hum pop/rock cd Born Into This, we get the triumphant return of The Cult. A cd of 14 new tracks
if you are a casual fan and 10 new for the die-hards since 4 were released a year or so ago in capsule format.
What you get with this release is a culmination of Love, Electric, Sonic Temple, Black Sheep and Beyond G&E.
They took everything they learned (or innovated) and then Bob Rock came in and said take all that greatness
and lets bring it to the present and just blow the doors off. This cd is loud and proud. Lean and mean.
And I'm loving every second of it from the beginning to the end.

The songs have a bite which was definitely missing from BIT. The first song is really nothing like anything
I have heard from The Cult before. It's more punk sounding. The chorus is just not their usual. And that
is not a bad thing. I like the idea of them stretching a bit more. The second song almost sounds like the
opening to Nico from BGAE. There is an opening on one track that reminds me of Dreamtime. There are florishes
of Love all over the place. Some Electric and Sonic too. This cd just brought all of it together. I think
that is why I love it so much

I read one review on here that said that if this had been the follow up to BGAE that the fans would not have
been disappointed. I think that statement is dead on. Though Ian has turned his back on that release I think
that it was a fine hard rock cd but the songwriting was missing some hooks. Then they followed that up by
having Youth produce the next release was just a mistake. But they learned from it and now we have this release
and I could not be happier.

The production is tight. The Billy's guitar sound is just amazing.... It's been brought out of the muck and he
sounds fresh and invigorated. Billy is not a fan of the solo. I believe that is why we don't hear many
solo's. He did them in the past more because they were in season. Ian's howl is beautiful. His passion
comes through. The rhythm section is the best they have had. And I have been a proponent of Matt Sorum returning.
But Tempesta put that to rest for me. He and Chris Wyse have brought it. Heavy, tight and perfect sounding. They gelled.

Even the packaging on this cd is awesome. And to have Mike Dimkich (the 5th Cult Member) listed in the liners
was nice to see. The guy is great for them live. Better than Billy Morrison who was just stellar.

This is a near perfect cd. 10 new songs for the Die Hard Fan and 14 new songs for the new or casual listener
to the Cult as 4 from the 2nd disc were released as capsules a while back. On the 4 soley produced by Chris
Goss you can hear the difference in sound from when Bob Rock took over. Goss gave the songs a more industial
metal sound. Good for sure. But Bob Rock really made it come together. If I could change 1 thing on this
entire release, it would be to have 1 more heavy track and 1 less slow track. That's it. Otherwise, in my
mind the Cult is back. And as usual they will be ignored. And it's a shame because very few bands are able
to write a cd as good as this. Not Van Halen and their rehashing their B-Side throw aways. Not Metallica
and their attempt to find themselves. Not Aerosmith and their hired gun writers and cheese fest lyrics. Read more ›