The live experience
What reaches the room
Death Cult is the 1980s-era precursor to The Cult, formed in 1983 by frontman Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy after Astbury’s Southern Death Cult. The duo quickly renamed the project Death Cult in 1983 and then The Cult in 1984, setting the stage for a lasting impact on alternative rock. This page dives into the Death Cult story, including the early 4-track Death Cult EP, iconic singles, and recent archival releases that celebrate the band’s enduring influence.