When I received an email from Epoch Era asking Alternative Control to review their EP, I wasn’t sure what to expect. They billed themselves as “a group of teenagers from North Haven” who were “spawned from the semen and eggs of (their) parents and […] here to invade your ear holes.” And when you tell… Continue reading Epoch Era: Iron Maiden, Stale Cheetos, and “The Vest”
Author: Jessie May
Album Review: Cyperna’s The Darker Side of Matter
Relentless and purposefully jarring, Cyperna’s upcoming full-length album The Darker Side of Matter is a brutal addition to Connecticut’s local metal catalog. Dissonant harmonies, stilted rhythms, and shifting time signatures make for an aggressive sound that challenges the ear but still keeps the head banging. Opening track “Death Rides a Horse” exemplifies these qualities. The… Continue reading Album Review: Cyperna’s The Darker Side of Matter
Opus’ 72nd Annual Blizzard Birthday Bash to Blow into Toad’s this January
… And I mean “blow” in the best possible, positive, and windswept way. Remember when I said that one of my guilty pleasures was annoying alliteration? But I digress. Friday January 24th is a lineup that Connecticut metal fans will not want to miss: Alcoholica, Earth, Curse the Son, Nightbitch, Kings & Liars, Nasty Disaster,… Continue reading Opus’ 72nd Annual Blizzard Birthday Bash to Blow into Toad’s this January
Let’s Go Down to the Butcher Shop
Yesterday, Saugatuck Craft Butchery hosted Porktoberfest, a celebration of pork, beer, accordions, and more pork. As a zine about “Metal… And everything else you need to live,” Alternative Control had a grave responsibility to cover this event — after all, who can live without beer and pork? Or if you’re a vegetarian, beer and accordions? … Continue reading Let’s Go Down to the Butcher Shop
Put it in Your Mouth: Finding Humane Meat in Fairfield County
Every now and then, I read a depressing article about sows in gestation crates and decide, again, to stop eating industrial meat. My most recent real attempt was in 2011 and lasted about six months – but I started a new round this weekend and have done quite well, three pieces of salami notwithstanding.… Continue reading Put it in Your Mouth: Finding Humane Meat in Fairfield County
Connecticut’s Gonna Have a Cop Problem
Earlier this week, Alternative Control spoke with drummer Josh Cohen from Cop Problem, a Philly punk band who will be tearing up the Heirloom Arts Theatre on December 6. Josh is joined by Randon Martin on guitar, George Grimaldi on bass, and his sister Deb Cohen on vocals. The band is releasing their second… Continue reading Connecticut’s Gonna Have a Cop Problem
It Takes A Lot of Maintenance to be This Low-Maint
If there’s one area where Alternative Control falls behind, it’s our fashion columns. Let’s face it, a bunch of thirty-year-old punks and metalheads are not who you’d think of as style gurus. But occasionally, we do have something useful to share with our readers: today, it’s all about blow outs and BB cream. No,… Continue reading It Takes A Lot of Maintenance to be This Low-Maint