Rekindling the Flame: Death Cult 8323’s Triumphant Night in Nottingham. Rock City Gig Review.

November 14, 2023 rocknews

The synergy between The Cult and Rock City was unmistakable, not solely rooted in their shared history at the venue, but also intertwined with Rock City’s own storied past. Once a host to the weekly Rock Night, where the iconic strains of “She Sells Sanctuary” became a Friday night ritual, the venue exuded an air thick with nostalgia. As Death Cult 8323 took the stage, the anticipation for the familiar chords of their signature song echoed through Rock City, evoking memories of legendary Rock Nights.

However, before delving into the familiar, Death Cult 8323 embarked on a journey back to their pre-Cult days, a nostalgic revival that harked back to nothing later than the Love album. The atmosphere was palpable, especially for those familiar with the band’s roots in the rock scene. Surprisingly, the newer material, if one could call it that, resonated even more with the audience.

The night commenced with the intriguing Lili Refrain, the support act, delivering a unique blend of keyboards, drumming, guitar playing, operatic singing, and theatrical hand gestures. Her performance created a mesmerizing wall of sound, tinged with shades of John Carpenter, resulting in an undeniably ‘arty’ experience.

As Death Cult took the stage, featuring the iconic duo of singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy from the original lineup, the crowd was treated to flawlessly executed renditions of their early material. Astbury, now a lean and mean figure, and Duffy, a true rock god, displayed their well-rehearsed chemistry. Die-hard fans created pockets of mosh pits in front of the stage. Highlights included a stellar performance of “Resurrection Joe” and the tight, impactful delivery of “Hollow Man.” The relentless guitar work peaked with excellent renditions of “Spiritwalker” and “Rain.”

As the set approached its climax, Death Cult briefly left the stage, only to return for an encore. Astbury, now clad in a hoodie, led the band through a short but powerful encore featuring “Moya” and the timeless classic “She Sells Sanctuary,” which sounded as fresh and vibrant as ever.