The Cult is an English rock band from Bradford, originally formed in 1983 by singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy. Starting out with a post-punk and gothic rock sound, the band first attracted attention in the UK with the singles She Sells Sanctuary and Rain. They later shifted toward a harder rock style, finding international success in the late 1980s with songs like Love Removal Machine and Fire Woman. Throughout numerous lineup changes, Astbury and Duffy have remained the core members and primary songwriters. The Cult's notable albums include Dreamtime, Love, Electric, Sonic Temple, and later releases such as Born into This, Choice of Weapon, Hidden City, and Under the Midnight Sun. Their evolution from underground favorites to mainstream rock staples has made them influential across genres and decades.