Ceremony by Cult (The) (CD, Mar-2000, Beggars Banquet USA)

The Cult's *Ceremony* album originally dropped when hair metal was giving way to grunge, yet Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy continued to write unique songs full of thundering guitar riffs ("Wild Hearted Son") and haunting lyrics ("Wonderland"). Every Cult album is different than the last, so folks expecting more *Sonic Temple*-like arena rock would miss the point: the band started the positive punk movement, and struck new territory each time. The Native American theme reflects Astbury's trail-blazing approach, and true fans will recall the Gathering of Tribes festival, which Astbury organized, predated even Lollapalooza. Recorded under the intense spotlight of fame, washed in a flood of beer and booze, tracks like "Heart of Soul" seem derivative, but really speak to the inner turmoil driving the band's creative forces. *Ceremony* isn't the Cult's best album -- try *Love* or the vastly underrated *Beyond Good and Evil* -- but even the casual listener will find it worthy.