So, here we are. A hot summer night and everybody in the audience breathing deeply, standing for the long awaited comeback. Hot night, burning setlist. Ian, Billy and the now permanent line-up delivering the goods. It can't be any other way. It's six years now they've been playing together and it shows for sure. 'Lil' Devil' is the big time opener. From now on and during an hour and a half there's no stop. No surrender. No time for reconsidering anything else but having fun and keep on rocking until the end. Until the lights takes us back home.
If memory serves, 'Rain' follows and 'Honey from a knife' stands out as the ultimate Cult classic. 'Choice of weapon' is a top return to form. It's ahead of its time. Of any time, to be honest. The songs from this album are well received and everybody seems to have listened to it as homework. The sweetest of it all, by the way.
Ian's in good mood and Billy still rocks the shit out of his Les Paul and Grestch White Falcon. What can I say about the rest of the guys? There's no other word but AWESOME. Cracking band. You just think of outstading songs plus excellent performers and what you get is excellence. As simple as that. Few rock bands can top that nowadays.
'Fire woman' is the only track the guys play from 'Sonic Temple'. They have neglected to play any song from 'Ceremony' or the self-titled record. 'Rise' has found it's place on the setlist since they first ever played it eleven years ago. 'For the animals' is yet another Cult classic and sounds impressive live. And what about 'Life > death'? Slower pace and a great song.
The setlist is a good mixture of early classics as 'Spiritwalker' and 'She sells sanctuary' and great recent tunes, as well. Only 'Sun king' and 'Edie (ciao baby)' are missed by yours truly.
I for one think the new record is gaining its reputation as the best Cult album in years, far superior to 'Beyond good and evil' or 'Born into this', in my humble opinion.
The mandatory 'Love removal machine' makes all us folks go crazy. It's the best option for an encore. Then, you get out of the venue and you still have that weird smile on your face while you're thinking that good things barely change' Hope they won't, however.