ALBUM REVIEW: The New Death Cult – The New Death Cult

Heads are already turning for new band on the block THE NEW DEATH CULT with their mysterious personas and eclectic musical style. With popular singles already nodding towards big things, the desert rock four pieces’ self titled debut is packed with momentous rock riffs, mind melding psychedelia and powerful vocals.

Light Spills Over is a fun twist on a typical blues sound that really plays into the disillusioned, psychedelic, desert rock feel that THE NEW DEATH CULT have become known for in their short time in the limelight. The hook has a much more PINK FLOYD feel, uplifting and spatial, that allows for a more aggressive pull back into the verse and into some hard rock riffing. Overall, the it’s a very strong opener. Zeitgeist is a classic rock tune through and through, catchy and every so slightly mournful, but mostly full of big old school sounds, it’s very easy to listen to and get on board with the message. The next instalment, True Eyes, is much more peaceful than the previous songs, with a summery air and perhaps something of a fusion between DON HENLEY, THE POLICE and JOURNEY. However, don’t take the softer, more classical approach to rock music to mean that this band feels in any way out dated- their ideas are fresh and have a true direction that stops this feeling like meandering nostalgia, and more of a harnessing of the old to project the new.

Moon is taking some more influence from eastern sounds and a more classic rock and metal vibe, with a pounding rhythm section and clean guitars that cut into staccato chugging and tempered riffs. It’s another solid performance that never moves exactly where you’d think it’s going. As it descends into a more active and psychedelic conclusion, you’ll evidently be satisfied from start to finish. The War leans heavy into much darker, modern sounds of early FOO FIGHTERS and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. Wavy, crisp verses that play around with nice, lingering notes through the chords, and crunchy, grungy choruses make this a decently punchy tune. Blood Of Babylon is a bombastic song that’s an instant ear worm. It’s hard to pin down it’s influences, which lends itself to the bands appeal; sometimes it’s pop punk, sliding into traditional rock, before moving back to psychedelic tones, and all the while flecking in some surf rock qualities.

Colours Of The Mind is boppy and once more filled with that chipper crispness that tends itself usually more to indie sounds. THE NEW DEATH CULT enjoys the collocation of opening your mind to the bad in the world, and by doing so, allowing your mind to be exposed to the beauty of the universe, and this is the pinnacle song for that in terms of their song writing. There’s a likelihood to get too ethereal with that, but Colours Of The Mind stays grounded, with a chunky bass-line and a dirty final segment that entrenches this band firmly in the rock and roll world.

Home is an all-round good track, the menacing progressions of the verse once again making the darker tone blend into the highly optimistic sounding chorus. It’s guitar solos are luscious and succinct, making for a gorgeous experience listening. Likewise, is the beautiful ending Edel. Both tracks are very well written, and on a repeat listen to this album, these are likely to be some of the songs you’ll likely want to revisit. It’ll definitely be one enjoyed by the various generations that spawned bands like SOUNDGARDEN, AEROSMITH and BLACK SABBATH, so much it’s this bands appreciation for good melodic movements that sit comfortably in the presence of the household names of the aforementioned bands.

For a debut, THE NEW DEATH CULT clearly knows where their influences are without copying the bands they borrow from, but rather using a variety of techniques, sounds and ideas to amalgamate into their own philosophies. It’s a formula that creates a pretty polished final product that, despite having a huge variety of nods in numerous musical directions, has a comprehensive sound and message. Very nice work all round from a hugely promising new name on the circuit.

Rating: 8/10

THE NEW DEATH CULT is out now via Indie Recordings.

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