Santa Barbara dark-rockers Rival Cults return with Our Gods Need Blood, a towering new chapter that deepens the band's collision of gothic romanticism, ritual intensity, and riff-driven rock & roll.
Since forming in 2020, Rival Cults have carved out a distinct space within modern gothic rock, pairing commanding baritone vocals and dual-guitar power with themes of transformation, devotion, and spiritual reckoning. Their 2023 debut Indoctrination established the blueprint — earning praise for blending classic goth atmosphere with muscular rock energy and emotional urgency while embracing the band's mission of putting "more rock in our goth".
Now, Our Gods Need Blood pushes that vision further into something darker, grander, and more ceremonial.
credits
RIVAL CULTS are:
Cole Tyler Barrington - Vocals
Casey Shropshire - Lead Guitar
Adi Tejada - Rhythm Guitar
Cabe Fletcher - Bass Guitar
Richard Rhiger - Drums
All music written by Casey Shropshire and Rival Cults.
All lyrics written by Cole Barrington. Drums were recorded in September 2024 at the Captains Quarters in Ventura CA.
Vocals and strings recorded by Adi Tejada, winter 2024. Engineered by Adi Tejada. Mastered by Audio Sieg in Portland OR.
Art and layout by Cole Barrington & Blue Eyed Horse