Turn On – Tune In – Give In. The Go Go Cult are legends in the alternative scene, having ploughed their solo furrow for many a year without compromise and without any lessening in the quality of their music. If you haven't seen the Reading quartet (and lately a quintet) supporting some of the biggest names on the goth and garage circuit, then you haven't been looking because the Cult have been there stealing souls and weaving their own hypnotic spells on any unbelievers. Over the years they have drifted slightly away from their psychobilly roots towards more gothic pastures so that they have been described as a "gothabilly" band that "oozes voodoo rock 'n' roll". The simple truth is that they are just very bloody good at everything they do, creating some mesmerising tunes while teasing the edges of humour with their very shady lyrics. "When the hope runs out, when the dreams run out, when the food runs out, we still have each other," rasps GoGo Nige with lipsmacking sincerity. It's simply tremendous. Cult they are named and cult they are, as to enter the world of the Go Gos is to embrace wholeheartedly the madness, wit and skewed vision of these troubled troubadours. If you think you can escape them, the guitars of GoGo Matt will capture your soul and refuse to let it go. They wail, they soar and they grip, throwing out hints of Ashton, Marx and Hussey as they weave around the growling vocal incantations of GoGo Nige. Both the title track and 'In Flames' spill over with Violets' and Sisters' riffs, while other influences are apparent in the closing track 'Devil In The Process', which comes with a big slice of cake courtesy of The Birthday Party. 'How Long Have i Been Gone?' shows the band's depth of vision, a beautifully crafted piece that is quite dazzling, the guitars dipping in and out of GoGo Leo's pulsing bass and GoGo Johnny's deft beats. Throughout this collection, the drummer shows his class by playing everything he needs to rather than everything he wants to. It's a testament to his understanding of his instrument and bewildering self-control. Of course, everything is helped by a sumptuous production which makes the bass fat and juicy, the guitars sharper than razors and the vocals are gently lifted to give them the greatest punch. This album comes from a different place, but it's a place every one of you should want to be. Embrace The Go Go Cult. They paint everything black and make it all better. If you can't find this in your local shop, buy it at the band's Bandcamp.
Isolation Records Review - 2025.
