Twin Temple & VOWWS @ Varsity Theater | 03-08-2024
Review & Photos by Ben Sullivan-McKone
The crowd that assembled at the Varsity Theater on March 8th was a bit of a motley crew; ranging from middle aged punks to younger metalheads and other assorted countercultural types. Befitting Twin Temples’ self-described sound of “Satanic Doo-wop”, inverted crosses and other anti-religious symbols were everywhere. Filing into the space, an enormous painted Baphomet behind the stage set the mood for the evening.
Opening were Australian “death pop” duo Vowws. Taking the stage in dark overcoats, Doc Martens, and Robert Smith-esque makeup, the group looked like the band that plays a futuristic rave in a cyberpunk film. Their music is an electrifying fusion of darkwave, post-punk, and industrial, danceable yet deeply morose and anxious. Guitarist Matt James - a dead ringer for fellow Aussie Nick Cave - used his SG to create angular backdrops to the deadpan vocals and singer and keyboardist Rizz. For her part, Rizz is a deep and powerful contralto in the vein of Siouxsie Sioux, Victoria LeGrand, and other dark and dreamy female vocalists. Her full deck of electronics added to her vocal range, and her distorted screams galvanized the crowd.
Despite their morose appearance and dark music, the group found time for humorous banter on stage. Matt James asked the venue if Minneapolis was the “evil twin” of the Twin Cities, and received a resounding yes. While the room was still filling up as they took the stage, by the end of their set the group had energized and formed a rapport with the growing crowd. Vowws’ darkly danceable pop music may be grim, but it is just as groovy too.
To say Twin Temple has an in-your-face aesthetic is putting it a bit mildly. Proud purveyors of what they call “Satanic Doo-wop”, group founders and practicing occultists Alexandra and Zachary James are unabashed in their love for vintage music, a good time, and Satan. With songs like “God is Dead”, “Be a Slut”, and “Burn your Bible”, nobody could mistake these two for ordinary churchgoers.
The backing musicians took the stage amidst blinding lights and glowing inverted crosses, before Alexandra and Zach appeared in ornately sewn ‘50s-inspired costumes, with Alexandra appearing as if Morticia Addams was a member of The Platters.
The group opened with an ornate ceremony, blessing the crowd “in the name of Satan and his powers of reason and individualism”. Wielding swords, books, and cups, the pair consecrated the audience before beginning their set. Twin Temple previously came to town opening for Ghost, and certainly operates within the same pop-occultist niche. When Alexandra asked the audience who had been in attendance at the Ghost show, nearly everybody shouted that they had been.
Unsurprisingly, a band with Twin Temple’s tastes and presentation does not play well in all parts of the country. Alexandra shared numerous stories from the stage about run-ins the group has had with protesters of various types. Nevertheless, the capacity crowd at the Varsity was squarely in the groups’ corner, and their joy was palpable throughout the night.
Despite their imagery, the groups’ sound is drawn from the happy, romantic doo-wop of the ‘50s, featuring keyboard and baritone saxophone. Far from the sinister sounds of occult black metal, or even the retro rock of Ghost, Twin Temple’s satanic swingers don’t want to sacrifice anybody; they’re just here to have a good time!
