Cult Leader
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
The unpredictable rock artist and producer Adam Tilzer turns in a solo album of 10 tracks that runs the rock spectrum with plenty of experimental ideas.
“Choking On Vomit” starts with talking and a softer quality before the dense guitars and thumping drums enter the chugging rock, and “I’m Gonna Start A Cult” follows with tense singing and a melodic backdrop that does pull any punches, lyrically.
At the halfway point, the swift and energetic “My Man” recruits Kiirstin Marilyn and Trophy Wife for the searing alt-rock, while “Gram” trims the pace back via Giselle’s pretty pipes for a soulful moment.
Residing close to the end, “Les Lius” finds groove and rhythm via the warm guitar and bluesy nods, and “And I’ll Die” exits with folk rock nods that builds into thick and passionate bursts of scathing songwriting.
The influences here are vast, where you might be reminded of Less Than Jake, Leonard Cohen or Jimi Hendrix, as Tilzer calls out injustice and runs the gamut of rock from punk to poetry.
Travels well with: Couldn’t Be Happiers- Couple(t)s; The Davenports- You Could Have Just Said That