Spectacular Diagnostics Produces the Cult of the Damned’s First LP in 4 Years “Simony” (Album Review)
England, United Kingdom collective the Cult of the Damned comprised of Blah Records founder Lee Scott, BeTheGun, Sly Moon, Salar, Bill Shakes, King Grubb, Tony Broke, Black Josh, Stinkin’ Slumrok, Bisk, Sleazy F Baby, Col. Mustard, Dr. Zygote, Sam Zircon & Reklews reuniting for their 4th studio LP. Introducing themselves as a unit over a decade ago off an eponymous debut EP, a sequel would come in the form of their full-length debut Brick Pelican Posse Crew Gang Syndicate & the sophomore effort The Church Of mostly produced by Nobodies Home was more rawer sonically. Almost 4 years since Cultgangrapsh!t however, they’re reforming to release Simony.
“Ext. Car Park – Night” was the perfect lead single to mark the Cult’s comeback having everyone spitting hardcore verses over a boom bap instrumental for 5 minutes whereas “Deet” by the B-Movie Millionaires alongside King Grubb & Stinkin’ Slumrok angrily talking about having chaos in their arteries. Tony Broke gets his own solo track with “Medicine Man” hopefully teasing a follow-up to Broke as F$£k leading into “Capital £” by Sly Moon, Sniff & the Super Sag Bros talking about needing more money.
To end the 1st half, “Creekin’” ominously reunites the B-Movie Millionaires alongside Sly Moon so they can admit that something doesn’t feel right to either of them while “Covenant” goes for a more somber boom bap vibe suggesting that people might actually learn a thing or 2 from them if they lean to shut the fuck up. “Sapnin” continues the 2nd leg of the album on some luxuriously dusty shit talking about liking their money, women & beats dirty.
“& Then Some” takes the jazzier route instrumentally reminding everyone of the reputation they’ve had for the past 11 years & cautioning any competitor who wants to step up to them in a battle to fall back but “The Next Move” grittily talks about looking outside of the window plotting the succeeding phase of their plan, “Slum Lawds” takes up the last few moments expressing views that come straight outta the back book than the bible.
I’m not totally sure if we’re still getting Cultgangrapsh!t 2 at some point down the road but either way, the Cult of the Damned are finally back 4 years after Milkavelli was ousted for scamming fans with an album that I’d say rivals Cult of the Damned 2: Brick Pelican Posse Crew Gang Syndicate & The Church Of respectively. The production Spectacular Diagnostics cooks up is heavier on the boom bap side of things stylistically compared to their last one with some jazzy undertones & they sound overjoyed for this new era of their career.
Score: 8/10
