Author: Jessie May

Alyssa Maucere-Pike of Lord Dying Talks The Pandemic, Portland, and More

Lord Dying, Alyssa at left

Best thing about being an Alternative Control patron? Suggesting interviewees! When one of our folks said they’d love to hear what was going on with musician Alyssa Maucere-Pike, a veteran of many bands and most recently the bassist of Oregon riff-slingers Lord Dying, we hopped on the ol’ email and got to work! Here is… Continue reading Alyssa Maucere-Pike of Lord Dying Talks The Pandemic, Portland, and More

Black North’s The Lost Year: Volume 1

Following their 2019 acoustic single “Time,” Black North is putting some more skin in the game with the two-track EP The Lost Year: Volume 1.  The eastern Connecticut trio (featuring Bill Bates on guitar and vocals, Stephanie Lussier on bass and vocals, and John Tolmie handling drums) has been a staple at local shows since… Continue reading Black North’s The Lost Year: Volume 1

AltCtrlToob Exclusive: CONTINUUM Interviews Themselves!

IDK if this interview style will be the wave of the future or not, but I sent Continuum some interview questions and they filmed themselves answering — and it’s actually a great half hour of booze-filled, behind-the-scenes thoughts from these Connecticut metal stalwarts. (Great job, guys! Gold stars for everyone.) Check out this interview to… Continue reading AltCtrlToob Exclusive: CONTINUUM Interviews Themselves!

Interview: Brittney Slayes of UNLEASH THE ARCHERS on The Pandemic, Twitch, and More

Vancouver melodic metal band Unleash the Archers has been fighting the good fight since 2007, and just released their fifth studio album in August 2020. When one of our Patreon subscribers suggested we interview their killer frontwoman Brittney Slayes, I wondered if “The Little Blog That Could” would even get a response from this Billboard-charting… Continue reading Interview: Brittney Slayes of UNLEASH THE ARCHERS on The Pandemic, Twitch, and More

Track Premiere: “Silent Return” from BECOMING THE LION

Somber and emotive, yet never losing its heavy edge, Wisconsin post-metal outfit Becoming the Lion is excited to release their fourth album Unearthly Creature this December.   A much-anticipated follow-up to their 2018 album Ghosts of a Fallen Soldier, this new work showcases the group’s evolution from a one-man project to a collaborative, multi-faceted endeavor.   Its six thoughtful tracks offer… Continue reading Track Premiere: “Silent Return” from BECOMING THE LION

Listening Lately: Tantivy, Caravan of Doom, and Many More

My old buddy Curtis Dewar asked how I would keep up with all the blog stuff once the school year resumed; I told him I had no idea!  But somehow, it all continues… In the car, I’ve mostly been listening to Misfits’ American Psycho, Valkyrie’s Shadows, and a burned disc with some Brimstone Coven, Witch… Continue reading Listening Lately: Tantivy, Caravan of Doom, and Many More