We spoke with Kalamity Kills‘ Jamie Rowe about the project’s self-titled, debut album, out now.
“This album is everything I couldn’t say for years,” he explains about the record. “I’ve been in the Christian music world, and there are things you just can’t talk about … the real struggles, the hypocrisy, the doubt. This record is me finally being honest about all of it. It’s still coming from a place of faith, but it’s faith that’s been through hell and back.”
Anthem: This one’s about standing your ground when everything around you is falling apart. I wrote it during a really dark time when I felt like the world was hostile to everything I believed. It’s about finding that inner strength when fear and temptation are pulling at you from every direction. Ray Luzier came in and just destroyed the drums on this one—gave it this crushing intensity that perfectly captures that feeling of refusing to back down.
Dearest Enemy (Pressure): I was so sick of keyboard warriors and people who tear others down just to build themselves up. This song is me saying “get behind me” to all the fake pressure to conform and be something you’re not. It’s fast; it’s angry, and it’s aimed directly at the manipulators and critics who think they know better. Ray killed it on drums again—This song needed that ferocious energy.
What’s On Your Mind? (Pure Energy): We took Information Society’s ’80s synth-pop hit and completely reimagined it as a hard rock anthem. Kiarely Castillo from Conquer Divide brought this fierce energy to it. We kept the spirit of the original but gave it teeth. Sometimes you just want to take something you love and make it your own.
Dark Secrets: This is probably my personal favorite on the album. It’s about those battles we fight that nobody else can see—the loneliness, the hidden struggles, the things we’re ashamed of. Jamey’s guitar solo on this one is devastating, and Ray’s drumming adds these emotional layers that just hit you in the chest. It’s vulnerable but still heavy as hell.
The Chemistry of Meant to Be: I wanted to write a love song that didn’t make me cringe. This is about that instant connection you feel with someone—when everything just clicks and feels inevitable. It became our first single to hit the MediaBase Active Rock chart, which proved you can still write about love and keep it heavy. Jamey’s riffs are insane on this one.
A.L.I.E.N.: This song feels like a message from another world. It’s about being a light in the darkness, being something not of this earth that’s here to illuminate the skies. The electro elements mixed with the heavy guitars create this cosmic atmosphere. The call-and-response vocals make it perfect for live shows and people just lose their minds during the “whoa oh” parts.
Hellfire Honey: This one’s got a wicked sense of humor. It’s aimed squarely at religious hypocrisy—specifically people who publicly condemn things like OnlyFans while secretly funding them. I’ve seen too much of this double-standard behavior in religious circles. Ace Von Johnson from LA Guns laid down this gritty, sleazy solo that’s perfect for the song’s swagger. Greg Upchurch’s drumming gives it this dirty rock foundation.
Burn: This is probably the most personal song on the record. It’s me looking in the mirror at all the wreckage I’ve caused through my own self-destructive choices. It’s about that moment when you realize the only way forward is to burn everything down and start over. The lyrics are brutal … It’s me wrestling with regret and the longing for redemption. It’s heavy emotionally and musically.
Sinners Welcome: I wrote this from my experience in the Christian rock world, where I saw how quick some people are to judge while claiming to speak for God. The song challenges the idea that anyone other than God gets to decide who’s “worthy.” It’s rebellious and redemptive at the same time. I’m owning my flaws while celebrating that everyone’s welcome at the table.
Being broken doesn’t make you abandoned … It makes you human.
I Still Believe: We took The Lost Boys anthem and turned it into this massive hard rock declaration. Greg Upchurch’s drumming on this is towering … It’s become a fan favorite and brought in a lot of new listeners. We captured the hope and resilience of the original but gave it this fierce modern energy. No shirtless saxophone player, but we made up for it with pure volume.
Amen: After all that intensity, I wanted to end the album on a peaceful note. This song came from my commitment to practicing gratitude, finding light after darkness. The chorus just repeats “Amen”… It’s about acceptance and appreciation for the journey. It’s stripped-back and heartfelt, giving listeners a moment of stillness after everything that came before.
Expanded Edition Tracks
Afraid: This one’s about breaking free from every chain that holds you back … societal pressure, personal fears, emotional baggage. I was sick of living scared, sick of letting other people’s expectations dictate my choices. Lines like, “We don’t bow to the throne of enemies,” and, “A castle doesn’t make you a king,” sum up the whole attitude. Ray Luzier’s drumming is thunderous on this one, and Julia Lauren Bullock’s harmonies bring this fresh intensity. It’s about living defiantly fearless, no matter what the odds are.
Starry Skies (988): This is probably the most important song I’ve ever written. It came from my own battles with depression and suicidal thoughts … Those dark moments when you can’t see any way out. The 988 in the title refers to the suicide prevention hotline. I wanted to create something that could reach people in that headspace and remind them they’re not alone. Aaron Gillespie from Underøath brought this incredible emotional depth to the drums and vocals. When I sing, “You’ve survived 100% of the trials you’ve already faced,” that’s me talking to myself as much as anyone else. If this song saves even one life, everything we’ve done is worth it.
Jingle Bells (SLAY!): We took the most innocent Christmas song and turned it into something completely unhinged. It’s our twisted holiday gift to the world … still recognizable as “Jingle Bells” but with this dark, heavy edge that makes it perfect for people who want to celebrate Christmas but hate the saccharine bullshit. It’s fun; it’s ridiculous, and it’s everything a holiday song shouldn’t be.
Dark Secrets (Cinematic Version): Jamey took my favorite song from the album and completely reimagined it. This version is more atmospheric, more haunting … like a movie soundtrack for the darkest corners of your mind. Julia Lauren Bullock’s additional vocals add these ethereal layers that make the whole thing feel like you’re drowning in your own thoughts. It’s the same brutal honesty about hidden struggles, but presented in this cinematic way that hits even deeper.
The Chemistry of Meant to Be (Kellan McGregor Mix): Kellan McGregor from Memphis May Fire took our song and gave it this radio-friendly polish without losing any of the passion. This became our first Billboard charting single, which proved we could write something genuine about love and still get radio play. The remix keeps all the explosive energy but makes it more accessible. It’s still about that instant, undeniable connection between two people … that chemistry you can’t fake.
The post Track-by-Track: Kalamity Kills – Self-Titled appeared first on Decibel Magazine.