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Cleansing of the Temple, 'The Devil Knows My Name'
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Cleansing of the Temple
The Devil Knows My Name

Street Date: July 12, 2024
Style: Deathcore
Buy It: Bandcamp



Hailing from Clemson, South Carolina, new Rottweiler Records signee Cleansing of the Temple is poised to unleash their brutal brand of deathcore/Slam on the masses. Comprised of Gavin James (vocals), Matthew Clark (guitar), Dustin Duvall (guitar), and Rasheen Johnson (drums), the band formed in 2019 and has been rolling out a steady stream of singles and EP's since 2020. The eponymously titled The Devil Knows My Name is the band's first full-length record and pulls no punches with its ferocious message that shines a light on very dark places.

The record opens up with the comfortably familiar sound of pops and snaps that provide background noise to well-used old vinyl records. I could almost close my eyes and imagine I was sitting in my grandparents' living room listening to the bluesy refrain of "Farther Along The Valley," but this was a short-lived reprieve. Slowly fading into a chaotic blend of distortion and ferocious snarls, you realize you are about to be tossed on an incredible emotional rollercoaster. "god of Hate" blows the doors off with its aggressive deathcore guitar tone and snarled growls that aggressively challenge the unbeliever and the lukewarm alike, "how much do you hate that the God you hate was breathing life and giving breath when He formed your face/You had a place to hang/but He took your place." The title track continues the ferocious onslaught with lyrics that call the enemy of old to task: "Bring me the head of Baphomet/when the dead walk, the wicked lie still/let the devil talk, Christ acted upon the hill."

Sardis continues the attack on the pseudo-religious hypocrisy that begets legalism, whereas the first single that was released turns its righteous anger on the atheist and unbeliever. "Stained Glass Blues" and "Where Does Darkness Dwell When We Open Our Eyes" close out the offering by refocusing on challenging issues within the church. These are both uncomfortable listens from a lyrical standpoint, as evidenced by James's roaring "You shake my hand on Sunday and stab me in the back on Monday/God doesn't love you more than anyone else so that you can go to hell," in "Stained Glass Blues." Still, they address issues that have been swept under the rug by church leadership for years, and seem more relevant to the current regrettable culture of celebrity pastors being found out.

This album is not an easy listen with its mixture of Slam, deathcore, and aggressively angsty lyrics, but that's the point. Too often in Christian music, bands would rather play it safe to broaden their appeal, and Cleansing of the Temple has chosen to do the opposite. From challenging those within our ranks to those outside, the band has positioned itself well within the self-described mission of bringing "Slam for the King." With the marketing strength of having signed Rottweiler at their backs now, Cleansing of the Temple appears poised to unleash its aggressive sound on an unsuspecting fan base, and with its message, it couldn't have come at a better time. Following the record's release, the band has lined up a few shows in Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kentucky. Be sure to catch them if you get the chance.

- Review date: 7/5/24, written by Matt Baldwin of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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. Record Label: Rottweiler Records
. Album length: 7 tracks
. Street Date: July 12, 2024
. Buy It: Bandcamp

  1. Farther Along The Valley (1:10)
  2. god of Hate (3:08)
  3. The Devil Knows My Name (4:03)
  4. P*ss 'n' Spit (2:44)
  5. Sardis (2:40)
  6. Abwoon D'Bashmaya / A Time For War (5:36)
  7. I, Afflicted (2:24)
  8. Stained Glass Blues feat. Brayden Gibbs of Candescent (3:40)
  9. Where Does Darkness Dwell When We Open Our Eyes feat. Glenn Gizzi (6:42)

 

 

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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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