Cult Electric

Sonic Temple is the fourth album by the The Cult, released in 1989. In addition to being a continuation of the band's hard rock sound that was introduced on their previous album, Electric, Sonic Temple features some of the band's most popular songs, "Fire Woman", "Sun King", "Edie (Ciao Baby)" and "Sweet Soul Sister". With this album, The Cult obtained critical and commercial success with a ranking of #10 on the Billboard 200. Sonic Temple was also the last album recorded with long time bassist Jamie Stewart, who left in 1990. After his departure, the band's music would take a different direction on their next album, 1991's Ceremony.

The Top 100 '80s Rock Albums span a series of genres as startling and varied as the era's neon-flecked fashions.No one was immune to the early-decade emergence of new wave, from up-and-coming acts to legacy groups – many of whom began incorporating the then-new sound into their bedrock approach.Meanwhile, classic rock and subsequently metal began a transformation into mass acceptance when the edges were smoothed out to form arena rock and hair metal, respectively. The arrival of roots, thrash, and world music influences kept things interesting, along the way. All of it made selecting the period's best releases both intriguing and deeply challenging.Check out the list below, as Ultimate Classic Rock takes a chronological look at the Top 100 '80s Rock Albums.