OF TWIN TEMPLE
LIVE PHOTOS
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By Greg Maki
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Satanic doo-wop wasn’t something I knew I needed in my life until I encountered Twin Temple a couple years ago when the married duo of Alexandra and Zachary James, along with a tight backing band, opened for Ghost and Volbeat on their co-headline arena tour. Much of that crowd didn’t seem to know what to think of an act like Twin Temple, which has a sound straight of the 1950s and ‘60s coupled with a very modern message of inclusion and personal freedom. The more intimate nature of a club like Baltimore Soundstage proved to be a more natural setting for the band, which drew a sizable crowd on a cold Sunday night.
Twin Temple isn’t merely influenced by those vintage sounds; its albums (including its sophomore effort, “God Is Dead,” released in October 2023) sound like they were recorded way back when, lost to time, then unearthed in the 21st century and set free with no alterations. While expertly recreating the studio versions of the songs, the band packs more of a punch on stage, the early rock ‘n’ roll trappings becoming more apparent and Zachary James’ guitar taking on a more prominent role, particularly during a pair of instrumental breaks, one of which consisted of a faithful rendition of “The Munsters’ Theme.”
The clear star of the show, though, was vocalist Alexandra James, a smiling, upbeat presence—perhaps surprisingly so considering she began the set with an earnest “Hail Satan!” Twin Temple’s 75 minutes on stage were a joyful celebration of individuality. Many of the songs were odes to Satan, and they made the devil’s domain sound like an awfully fun place to be. There was nothing “evil” about any of this. How could there be with almost as much pink on stage as in a scene from the “Barbie” movie? Highlights of the set included upbeat numbers “Let’s Have a Satanic Orgy” and “The Devil (Didn’t Make Me Do It),” “Satan’s a Woman” with its wonderfully satanic singalong and the show-closing, celebratory “God Is Dead.”
Twin Temple probably could reach a wider audience by toning down its darker imagery and satanic themes, but those very things help ensure an audience of free thinkers, of accepting, welcoming individuals. Contrary to what some might think—Alexandra James talked about protesters showing up to earlier shows on the tour—a Twin Temple concert is a warm, comfortable place to be. The band’s appeal might always fall more on the niche side, but its music clearly is making an impression and finding the audience it was meant for.
TWIN TEMPLE SET LIST: Intro, “Sex Magick,” “I Am a Witch,” “Burn Your Bible,” “Let’s Have a Satanic Orgy,” “Lucifer, My Love,” “Femme Fatale,” Instrumental break – “Rumble,” “Be a Slut,” “Black Magick,” Instrumental break – “The Munsters’ Theme,” “I’m Wicked,” “The Devil (Didn’t Make Me Do It),” “Satan’s a Woman,” “God Is Dead,” Outro
LINKS:
www.twintemple.com
www.facebook.com/twintempleforever
www.instagram.com/twintemple
www.twitter.com/twintemple
www.youtube.com/channel/twintemple
Twin Temple on Apple Music
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