Born Into This [Savage Edition]

Fans of alternative rock legends the Cult waited six long years for a follow-up to 2001's somewhat heavy-handed comeback, BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL. For this latest return from hiatus, Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy took their most recently employed rhythm section into the studio along with sought-after producer Martin "Youth" Glover (the Verve, Guns 'N Roses). With BORN INTO THIS, the Cult makes a valiant stab at recapturing the spirit of the LOVE and ELECTRIC-eras of the band. And while some may grumble at the album's more high-minded gestures (the acoustic "Holy Mountain"), the band's classic mix of metal bombast and alt-rock hooks is clearly right there in the mix (see "I Assassin"), with Astbury's Lizard-King croon punching its way to the fore.