Ron Hollywood's 10 Scale Reviews, hosted by qreativ.com
6.5 out of 10

Reviewed April 17, 2008
The Cult Born Into This tour Montreal April 16th 2008
by Ron Hollywood

photo credit Ron Hollywood

April 16th 2008
Olympia Theatre, Montreal, Qc

Ian Astbury – vocals
Billy Duffy – guitar
Mike Dimkitch – rythm guitar
John Temptesta – drums
Chris Wyse – bass

After a quiet “Bonsoir Montreal” from vocalist, Ian Astbury, The Cult tore into 95 minutes of no-frills pure riff rock with Fire Woman. Ian then shook a tambourine during Rain. I was very quickly finding this to be an average show then came a three punch knock out of Electric Ocean, the excellent I Assassin from the new Cd Born Into This followed by Ian shaking maracas on The Witch.

Ian spent the whole night stock still at the microphone stand with the exception of one brief moment where he twirled his microphone around a la Roger Daltrey style. Ian seemed a bit bored at times or lost in his own world. There were several times throughout he was showing vocal problems as well. I did notice that instead of being a Jim Morrison clone, Ian was being himself. He wore his hair tied back in a bun, a black lather jacket and black skirt?

The weight of this show was carried through with guitarist Billy Duffy. Without even saying anything he was having more interaction and personality than Ian the frontman was. Hearing these songs in a theatre setting makes you realize how important Billy’s riffs and playing are to The Cult’s songs. This was so evident on The Phoenix, Illuminated, or Love Removal Machine.

There was also no on stage camaraderie or chemistry between Ian and Billy. It was if they were playing their own show not knowing or caring if the other was there. The Cult is also a five member band on this tour. There’s a rhythm guitarist in Mike Dimkitch. Bassist Chris Wyse had some great bass pummeling moments. Drummer, John Temptesta was beating away on his kit all night.

The only production value was a square screen displaying images throughout the night or a video on violence against Tibetan people in the pre encore Tiger in The Sun. This was show that was about the riff rock of Billy Duffy.

Ian came out all alone for the encore sitting on a stool with a guitar to play an acoustic version of Holy Mountain. The rest of the band joined onstage to rock out with Nirvana and of course She Sells Sanctuary.

It was certainly a straight forward riff rock show but something overall was missing. There was certainly an energy vibe that never got off the ground. According to a few fans outside who’ve seen several previous tours this was not one of the band’s best nights.

Fire Woman
Rain
Electric Ocean
I assassin
The Witch
Sweet Soul Sister
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Illuminated
Horse Nation
Spirit walker
Rise
Savages
Billy Duffy guitar solo
The Phoenix
Dirty Little Rock Star
Wildflower
Love Removal Machine

encore
Tiger In The Sun (video)
Holy Mountain
Nirvana
She Sells Sanctuary

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