Death Cult, a post-punk and gothic rock band hailing from Bradford, England, emerged in 1983 as a precursor to what would become The Cult. The group, co-founded by Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, return for a thirteen-date UK tour beginning in Belfast on 6 November 2023. MetalTalk will report from the Dublin show the following evening.

Death Cult’s music was characterised by its dark, atmospheric sound, tribal rhythms, and introspective lyrics. These explored themes of death, spirituality, and rebellion.

In 1983, Death Cult released their eponymous EP, Death Cult, which featured tracks like Ghost Dance and Brothers Grimm. This debut work garnered attention for its intense, otherworldly sound and enigmatic lyrics. They captured the essence of the post-punk and gothic rock movements of the time. The album’s eerie and mesmerizing atmosphere became a significant influence on the gothic music scene, even as the band’s lineup and direction evolved.

The band eventually transformed into The Cult, a more mainstream act that achieved commercial success in the 1980s and beyond.

Prior to Death Cult, Astbury co-founded the post-punk and gothic rock band Southern Death Cult in 1981. Southern Death Cult’s lineup consisted of Ian Astbury (vocals), David “Buzz” Burrows (bass), Barry Jepson (guitar), and Haq Quereshi (drums). In 1982, they released their self-titled album, Southern Death Cult.

This tour, while centred around Death Cult and their eponymous EPs, will boast a setlist that spans the three phases of the band, from Southern Death Cult through Death Cult to The Cult’s first two albums, Dreamtime (1984) and Love (1985).

Tickets are selling out fast, with an extra date added at Islington Assembly Hall on 22 November.