Twin Temple: Get down with doo-wop and the devil!
By Devin Shea
After releasing their debut album, we review the very first of hopefully many from the Satanic Doo-Wop group, Twin Temple.
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of music, as any indication by my extensive Ghost coverage and my pouring of love over their new album. I am always on the lookout for something new and different, something I haven’t seen before.
While scrolling through Instagram, I came across a band called Twin Temple. A gorgeous couple, Alexandra and Zachary James, head to toe in black, draped in lace and pentagrams…I was SO there. And when I saw they had their very first album, Twin Temple Bring You Their Signature Sounds…Satanic Doo-Wop, come out on Friday the 13th, I was really excited, and I think you will be too.
The band labels themselves as Satanic Doo-Wop (as the two are practicing Satanists in their daily lives) which is literally something I had never heard of before. They had two videos up on Youtube, “Let’s Hang Together” and “Girl Problems,” and when you sign up for their newsletter, you get a free download of their song “I’m Wicked” which is one of the best songs I have heard in a long time. It’s big and dirty and in your face, and I don’t mean dirty lyrics, but a gritty sound.
Image courtesy of Twin Temple
When I review an album, I like to think through and pick my favorite song but it is REALLY difficult. The track list is as follows:
The Devil (Didn’t Make Me Do It)– An upbeat, kicky track with a heavy 60’s sound and easily one of my favorites of the album. This will be stuck in your head for weeks, bank on it.
Lucifer (My Love)– Heavier with Satanic lyrics, slower and sexier.
Sex Magick– Really pretty and one of the songs that sound the most like 50’s/60’s doo-wop.
I Know How to Hex You– Another upbeat song and really fun. This is another one I very much enjoyed.
I’m Wicked– Guys, this is so worth the add to the newsletter. Love. This. Song. It’s so gritty and heavy, like an audio version of a Grindhouse feature.
In Lvx– This is an instrumental song, wild and chaotic. While this isn’t my favorite on the album, it will definitely be someone’s cup of tea.
Santa Muerta– This really shows the LA influences in the song and another great addition to the album.
Let’s Hang Together– This one is available on Youtube and the first song of theirs I heard. This is the one that will got me hooked on their music and signature sound and it will hook you too.
Femme Fatale– Another rolling and sexy number.
Image courtesy of Twin Temple
I got the opportunity to ask the duo some burning questions regarding their music, their mission and what’s coming later.
D.D. Crowley: When did you first get into music and was it doo wop?
Twin Temple: We’ve pretty much always gravitated towards rock ’n’ roll- in particular 50’s and 60’s classic American music. Doo-Wop is an aspect of that. But we love a broad range of music as well: metal, jazz, blues, opera, classical, country, etc.
DD: Why pick the Doo-Wop style?
TT: Our sound is a reflection of all of the music we adore. We also are Satanists, practice magick, and are avid students of the Occult. In particular, we gravitate towards the Antinomianism of the Left Hand Path, which to us is essentially defined by transgression, individualism and a rejection of societal norms.
Both Satanism and rock ‘n’ roll in our minds, are united by this philosophy. And yet Doo-Wop is a genre that’s typically marked by a certain naivety and a pop lyrical focus on uncomplicated subjects such as “teenage love.” We like inhabiting the genre in order to turn it on its head and discuss topics such as sexuality, magick, Satanism, and the Occult.
DD: How did you come into actively practicing Satanism?
TT: We don’t feel that we ever “became” Satanists. We feel that our lived experience has shaped our attitudes, and the Satanic philosophy encapsulates our own particular perspectives. Satanism is a religion and philosophy that you either gravitate towards; or you don’t. Satanism, and the Left Hand Path, encapsulates ideals that have always resonated with our core beliefs.
DD: When and why did you decide to incorporate that into music?
TT: Satanic Doo-Wop is our unique and paradoxical vehicle to express all aspects of our Selves. The side that loves the oldies, and the side that Hails Satan!
DD: That’s amazing how it all came together! Certain artists create songs to invoke a particular feeling or message with their music. What feelings or messages are you hoping to your listeners will feel when listening to your first album?
TT: Self-empowerment. Equality. Expansion. Freedom. Mystery. Magick. Nostalgia. Possibility. Destruction of boring gender norms. Death. Romance.
DD: All very admirable messages. What is your favorite song on the album?
TT: Hard to pick just one; we love them all equally for different reasons.
DD: What are your musical influences?
TT: Too vast to name- but classic American music, in particular rock ’n’ roll, forms the core of our influence.
DD: Will there be a tour?
TT: Yes! Currently working on booking some dates outside of LA. You can find our dates when they’re announced on our website.
DD: I cannot wait to see where you head and if you make it to my city! What can we look forward to in the future of Twin Temple?
TT: Eternal damnation.
Image courtesy of Twin Temple
Gotta love a succinct answer. If you haven’t heard this band yet, I highly recommend it. If you want the metal themes but want a more dance-able, singable and sexy sound, then Twin Temple will be your jam. It’s dark, fun, and different and what more could you ask for? Plus, this is a good band to play around your religious family members to see them dance to the great music then watch as their faces change when they actually hear the lyrics. Pure delight.
Next: Celebrating 25 years of Hocus Pocus
You can pick up Twin Temple’s new album here! Or, if you want to try out a song first, sign up for their newsletter here to stay up to date with the band.