“I want you to do two things. I want you to be a slut and I want you to do what you want!” —Alexandra James, last Sunday night.
From bluesman Robert Johnson to hip shaking Elvis Presley to metal bands like Black Sabbath and Behemoth, music has always been accused of being in cahoots with the Devil. LA’s Twin Temple turns up the dial by overtly being Satanists, ones who craft fine, 1950s style rock and roll, woven with darkness. Their sophomore album, the “brutally blasphemous” God is Dead, was released in 2023. The God is Dead tour brought the Devil to Baltimore Soundstage last Sunday night.
Support act Vowws kicked off the ritual. They are an Australian industrial rock duo, comprised of Matt Campbell (vocals, guitar) and Rizz Khanjani (vocals, keyboard). Taking inspiration from horror film soundtracks and creating a sound that is reminiscent of new wave and goth bands from the ’80s and ’90s, it’s unsurprising that Vowws has collaborated with the likes of the legendary Gary Numan. The band’s debut album, The Great Sun, was released in 2015. Vowws followed up the release of Under the World with several singles, including a collaboration with Chelsea Wolfe.
Live, Vowws leans into its own description of itself as a death pop band, performing their very danceable songs in low light, dressed in black. Khanjani’s face was adorned in white makeup that is reminiscent of the demon Pazuzu in The Exorcist. Honestly, they’re great. They’re playing the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas later in the spring; they’re on my list of bands to catch then.
Twin Temple’s husband and wife team of Alexandra and Zachary James are fans of early American rock and roll and practicing Satanists. Since the 1970s, that darkness has been most associated with heavy metal, but Twin Temple wanted to incorporate Satanism with music of an era they love, that of Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison.
It works! Promptly at 9PM, Twin Temple took the stage, sprinkling the crowd with unholy water and ringing a bell. Alexandra James is a fantastic front woman and super charismatic. Between songs like “Sex Magick” and “I Am a Witch,” which showcase her powerful pipes, she banters with the crowd, telling stories about protesters and expressing disappointment that none showed up that night.
Zachary’s retro guitar is legit and they have an incredible backing band, including a glorious saxophonist. The custom stage costumes—elaborately embroidered pink numbers—are fabulous. Twin Temple doesn’t come across as hollow either—these are musicians with a deep respect for early rock and roll and have the musical chops to bring it into the 21st century. They just do the twist with Lucifer.
Twin Temple’s marriage of retro sound and dark philosophy is not likely to appeal to everyone, but the Soundstage crowd was all in. It was an eclectic bunch too. I spotted normies alongside a local drag queen, and a few teenage girls were accompanied by their concerned-looking mothers.
There were middle-aged punks, cosplayers, and a drunk group of three who spent the show making out and ignoring the stage. A guy with a pompadour was very into his Tracy Turnblad-ish date. I half expected to spot John Waters in the crowd. In other words, it felt inclusive, which is what Twin Temple has said is a central theme of their music. Twin Temple does indeed put the “fun” in funeral.
I’ve still got “Be a Slut” bouncing around in my head. The God is Dead tour wraps up in Las Vegas on March 13.
VOWWS
TWIN TEMPLE SETLIST
Sex Magick
I Am a Witch
Burn Your Bible
Let’s Have a Satanic Orgy
Lucifer, My Love
Femme Fatale
Be a Slut
Black Magick
I’m Wicked
The Devil (Didn’t Make Me Do It)
Satan’s a Woman
God is Dead
