The Cult to pause touring after remaining North American dates

The Cult announced they will pause touring for an undetermined period after completing the remaining dates of their North American Death Cult 8525 tour, which concludes October 30 at The Shrine in Los Angeles. The veteran British rock band said the break will allow members to rest and focus on writing, recording new music and other projects.

In a joint statement, frontman Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy framed the decision in terms of renewal, writing that "Mother Nature has a cycle of change and evolution that is inevitable. The moons phases change, tides rise and fall. Change is necessary for creation and rebirth." The band emphasized the pause is not a permanent end to performing, adding that when they return it will be "with an even stronger fire and energy."

The group has five shows remaining on the current run: October 24 at The Pearl in Las Vegas, October 25 at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, October 27 at The Warfield in San Francisco, October 29 at The Sound in Del Mar, and October 30 at The Shrine in Los Angeles. Tickets for those dates remain available.

Astbury and Duffy supplemented the joint message with personal comments. Astbury wrote, "My...