According to Rolling Stone, THE CULT will release their ninth studio album called Choice Of Weapon on May 22nd via Cooking Vinyl Records. Co-produced by Chris Goss (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, MASTERS OF REALITY) and longtime collaborator Bob Rock (METALLICA, AEROSMITH), Choice Of Weapon was made in several studios, including the band's own Witch Mountain as well as spots in New York City, Los Angeles and the California desert.

Rolling Stone spoke with frontman Ian Astbury - a few excerpts follow:

Rolling Stone: Are you still working on this new record? I know it has a release date, but I got the impression that you were still tinkering with it.

Astbury: "Let's put it this way – the paint's still wet. We're breaking it to you guys first. I think we missed our initial release date, partially due to the way that we ended up finishing the record. We began with Chris Goss, who is a very close friend and somebody I've been friends with for over 20 years. And we always talked about doing a Cult record together. Chris did all the refinement, helping us find the material, craft it, and I think we've been at it for quite a while. It just became attrition. Everyone was getting kind of exhausted. Kind of wearing each other out in the studio."

Rolling Stone: When did you start the process of making the album? It's been about five years since your previous record.

Astbury: "You know, there's no really clear beginning or end date, really, with the creative process. I think it's ongoing. It's almost like you're always working with different ingredients, different influences. Things can change. I mean, I personally like to take things right up to the wire, so that things are as relevant and as fresh as they can be. Like, I'm still changing some song titles right now, based upon different vibrations I'm picking up on, either from myself or within my group or from an outside source."

Read more and check out an audio preview called 'Lucifer' at href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-cult-return-with-intense-new-album-20120130" target="_blank">Rolling Stone

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