There’s nothing more exciting when one of your favorite bands is set to release a new album. The excitement of limited edition variants of vinyl, extra added goodies, etc are something all fans die for and spend their hard earned money on. It’s an exciting moment… unless you’re a TWIN TEMPLE fan then that excitement turns to frustration and disappointment.
In 2023, it was announced that TWIN TEMPLE would no longer be overseeing their own merchandise and that a merchandise distribution deal was made with GLOBAL MERCHANDISE and since then it seems that it has been nothing but a shit show for fans of the band.
The Satanic Doo-Wop sensation released their sophomore album, God Is Dead on Halloween (derp) of 2023 and to say that the release of the album was a clusterfuck is the understatement of the year.
The FIRST PRESSING of God Is Dead was pressed in FOUR different vinyl variants:
FIRST PRESSINGS:
Gold Vinyl (Standard release)
Church Fire Orange (Limited Release)
Broken Church Glass (Limited to 300 copies and includes a “funeral card.”
Pink Palace (Limited to 400 copies and includes a “funeral card.”)
Once the numbered first pressings were sold out, it was announced that a SECOND pressing of the album would be released in variants as well. After waiting weeks for even confirmation emails regarding purchases, some fans said that they were receiving unnumbered copies of the album, albums missing inserts, and even wrong colored vinyl that what they ordered. To add insult to injury, this super cool “funeral card” that was supposed to come with the album was said by fans to be nothing more than a small card with the album art printed on it. In true diehard fan form, TWIN TEMPLE fans didn’t take all of this lightly.
Fans took to the Facebook Fan group THE CULT OF TWIN TEMPLE to voice their frustrations and to communicate with each other about who got what and who didn’t get what. Just reading through these posts gave me a fucking headache and I didn’t order shit from them. I’ve had some issues in the past with delayed shipping and what not but never have I seen a band promise things and than not deliver as expected to this degree.
According to fans online, people were notified weeks after payment for the limited edition copies was accepted that the copies had all been sold out and that they would be getting refunds. In a nutshell, GLOBAL MERCHANDISING supposedly over-sold the limited edition copies of the God Is Dead album far past them limit. This means fans paid for and were expecting their items only to be told, “Sorry, we don’t have it.”
One fan stated, “I pre-ordered as soon as the went live as well and have yet to get the order. What bothers me isn’t that I’ve had to wait, it’s the apparent dishonesty. I’m sure I’m not alone here in saying that if the 700 numbered copies would have sold out before I was able to get my order in I would have had no issue waiting for a “restock” to get the second pressing. If there is a limited amount available then once those numbers are sold no one else should be able to purchase them.”
Another fan posted nearly three weeks after the shipping date “So at this point I don’t even know what the hell I’m getting. The minute the pre-order email came out I ordered it, still haven’t gotten anything. Wrote them and they said “it’s a pre-order and the date listed is never 100%, but should ship mid-November. I don’t mind the wait, it’s now wondering if I’m even going to get what I original purchased.”
Here is an example of correspondence from one fan with GLOBAL MERCHANDISING Twin Temple Support:
As you can see, this correspondence was had on November 11th, just two days ago. After stating to others that the First Pressing was sold out, this message is claiming that they just haven’t been shipped yet which goes against what many have said already about being told it was sold out.
I know some people will say that band’s have no control over situations like this but that is bullshit. It’s not like Twin Temple is fucking Iron Maiden or something. They’re a small band making big promises and not delivering. The least they can do is address their fans’ frustrations and try to do something to bring some order to this chaos. As of this release, TWIN TEMPLE has yet to acknowledge this situation and this is frustrating them as much as the situation itself.
TWIN TEMPLE, if you’re reading this, shit or get off the pot. Your fans are some of the most dedicated fans I’ve ever seen for a band and for you to turn a blind eye to this is ridiculous. They deserve more than this so do the right thing. Get your shit together. This is why bands lose fans and you’re going to turn a blind eye to them, then expect the outcome.
Or is this the right thing in Satan’s eyes? Who knows.
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