Cult of Static is the sixth studio album by American industrial metal band Static-X. It was released on March 17, 2009 via Reprise Records. The album's first single "Stingwray" was released and made available on the band's MySpace page on February 17, 2009. The album's title is a reference to the die-hard fans who have supported the band for so long.[1] This would be Static-X's last studio album for eleven years, as well as the last to feature drummer Nick Oshiro and founding member and vocalist Wayne Static during his lifetime, though the latter's posthumously released work was included on the band's 2020 album Project: Regeneration Vol. 1. Cult of Static also marked the last time Static-X worked with John Travis, and was the band's last album on Reprise Records.

Cult of Static
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 17, 2009 (2009-03-17)
Recorded2007–2008
StudioKingsize Soundlabs Studios (Los Angeles, California) Static Sound Studios (Burbank, California)
Genre
Length42:11
LabelReprise
Producer
Static-X chronology
Cannibal Killers Live
(2008)
Cult of Static
(2009)
Project: Regeneration Vol. 1
(2020)
Singles from Cult of Static
  1. "Stingwray"
    Released: February 17, 2009

Album information edit

Though "Lunatic" was the first single for the album, the song had been released on the Marvel's Punisher: War Zone soundtrack. The song was based partially on a warrior, similar to the Punisher character, and was re-recorded for the album to feature a guitar solo by Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine. The album was produced by John Travis, who also produced Static-X's previous album Cannibal.

Cult of Static continued the band's use of guitar solos and the songs feature more samples and electronic sounds than the previous album, Cannibal. "Stingwray" is available on iTunes and on Static-X's Myspace.

The band's logo on the cover artwork is the same one from Wisconsin Death Trip.

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com     [2]
AllMusic     [3]
Alternative Press     [4]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal3/10[5]
Consequence of Sound     [6]
IGN7/10[7]
Revolver      [8]
Rock Sound7/10[9]
USA Today    [10]

The album debuted at #16 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week, making it the band's highest charting album since 2001's Machine and the album received generally mixed reviews from music critics.[11]

Track listing edit

All songs written by Wayne Static, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Lunatic" (featuring Dave Mustaine)Tony Campos, Static3:35
2."Z28"Campos, Static3:09
3."Terminal" 3:38
4."Hypure" 4:15
5."Tera-Fied" 5:19
6."Stingwray"Campos, Static4:10
7."You Am I" 3:00
8."Isolaytore" 2:46
9."Nocturnally" 3:49
10."Skinned" 3:34
11."Grind 2 Halt" 4:56
Total length:42:11
iTunes bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Still of the Night" (Whitesnake cover)David Coverdale, John Sykes5:04
Total length:47:15
Special edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."W.F.O." 3:09
13."Looks That Kill" (Mötley Crüe cover)Nikki Sixx4:11
Total length:49:31
Special edition download
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Talk Dirty to Me" (Poison cover)Bret Michaels, Rikki Rockett, Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille3:48
Total length:3:48
Expanded edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Stingwray" (Edit)Campos, Static3:54
13."W.F.O." 3:09
14."Looks That Kill" (Mötley Crüe cover)Nikki Sixx4:11
15."Talk Dirty to Me" (Poison cover)Bret Michaels, Rikki Rockett, Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille3:48
16."Still of the Night" (Whitesnake cover)David Coverdale, John Sykes5:03
Total length:1:02:13

Personnel edit

Additional musicians

Production

  • Wayne Static – production
  • John Travis - production, engineering, mixing
  • Tom Baker - mastering
  • Aaron Paul - assistant engineering
  • Nelly Recchia - paintings, photography
  • Paul Brown - design

Chart positions edit

Chart performance for Cult of Static
Chart (2009) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[13] 33
US Billboard 200[14] 16
US Hard Rock Albums[14] 2
US Rock Albums[14] 4
US Tastemakers Albums[14] 9

References edit

  1. ^ "Static-X: 'Cult Of Static' Track Listing Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. January 7, 2009. Archived from the original on March 6, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
  2. ^ Van Horn, Ray Jr. "Static-X – 'Cult Of Static'". About.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  3. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Cult of Static – Static-X". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  4. ^ Miller, Andrew (July 16, 2009). "// AP: REVIEWS - C'mon, give these guys another chance". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  5. ^ Popoff, Martin; Perri, David (2011). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 4: The '00s. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. pp. 467–468. ISBN 9781-926592-20-6.
  6. ^ Buchanan, David (April 7, 2009). "Album Review: Static-X - Cult of Static". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on April 9, 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  7. ^ Kaz, Jim (April 7, 2009). "Static-X – Cult of Static Review". IGN. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  8. '^ Revolver, May 2009, p. 69
  9. ^ Lewis, Faye (March 27, 2009). "Static – X – Cult Of Static | Reviews". Rock Sound.
  10. ^ Shriver, Jerry (March 17, 2009). "Static-X, Cult of Static: Drill, Baby, Drill". USA Today. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  11. ^ "Kelly Clarkson Holds At No. 1, While "Twilight" Bites". Billboard. March 25, 2009.
  12. ^ "Static-X: New Album Title, Release Date Announced". Blabbermouth.net. December 9, 2008. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved December 9, 2008.
  13. ^ "Australian chart positions". australian-charts.com.
  14. ^ a b c d "Cult of Static – Static-X". Billboard.