Having wrapped up recording their first studio album in five years, British rockers The Cult have set a date for Choice of Weapon‘s release.
May 22 is when the 10-track set drops, via Cooking Vinyl.
The band describes the effort as its rawest and most visceral, encapsulating cinematic visions and themes of love, revolt, and redemption.”
Fans can get an early taste of the album by logging onto the The Cult’s official website, where it is offering a download of the new song “Lucifer.”
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 new release features founding members Astbury on vocals and Duffy on guitars, with drummer John Tempesta and bassist Chris Wyse.
“What we do with The Cult is try and let the songs become who they are. It’s like school children, you try and give them good guidance, but they’re going to end up doing what they want to do. In the end, you have to just relinquish power. You want to capture a feel and document the era when you wrote them. You don’t want to overdo it, or you end up with something like ‘Chinese Democracy.’ You know what I mean?” Duffy said in an interview with Noisecreep.
At this point, The Cult has one show scheduled with Guns N’ Roses on June 29 in Austria. The Cult is working on film and graphic elements to accompany the album’s release, and plans are being confirmed for the band’s 2012 World Tour.
Meanwhile, The Cult’s smash-hit “She Sells Sanctuary” and Sunshine State rapper Flo Rida’s Top 10 track “Good Feelin” will be featured this Sunday as a mashup in one of Budweiser’s Super Bowl commercials.
Stay tuned!