The Bair Truth: ORCumentary on Killing Goblins, Defying Record Labels, and Re-Reading Everything

Some time ago, I had the distinct pleasure of reviewing ORCumentary’s most recent release, Orcs 1 Goblins 0. I love metal. I love medieval fantasy. And I love when an artist can take their craft seriously but have fun at the same time. This stuff is pure gold, a dragon’s hoard of songs about vanquishing… Continue reading The Bair Truth: ORCumentary on Killing Goblins, Defying Record Labels, and Re-Reading Everything

Review of Drifting Toward The Edge Of The Earth by When The Deadbolt Breaks

Some bands instantly make sense.  The album spins, notes pour out of speakers, and the listener’s brain captures the signal, converting it to something it can process.  As a voracious consumer of music I have a tendency to compare everything I hear to something I’ve already been exposed to as a point of reference.  There… Continue reading Review of Drifting Toward The Edge Of The Earth by When The Deadbolt Breaks

LSG on the CT Music Awards “Best Metal” Nominees

By Lisa Sanchez Gonzalez of Local Band Review Photos by LSG except where otherwise noted. I bet you think sleepy Connecticut doesn’t know jack about metal music.  But we do; and we’ve got it here, in abundance.  We’ve even got an awards show to crown the best of the best!  The 2nd annual Connecticut Music… Continue reading LSG on the CT Music Awards “Best Metal” Nominees

Windhand: Did Someone Say Doom Metal?

I thought I listened to doom… And then I heard Soma, an upcoming release from Virginia band Windhand.  From the opening notes of the first track, “Orchard,” I was taken in.  The downtuned sludge was too much for my car’s one broken speaker, but I had to crank it anyways. The album is united by… Continue reading Windhand: Did Someone Say Doom Metal?

Bair Grills… Serotonin Syndrome; Also, A Glimpse Into Bill Klopfer’s Coffers

Over a year ago, I was asked to review a new release called Heretic’s Fork by Murder Castle. Now if you hadn’t heard, we at Alternative Control adhere to a strict code of conduct that avoids conflicts of interest. I was tasked with that journalistic endeavor by our esteemed editor because I had no prior… Continue reading Bair Grills… Serotonin Syndrome; Also, A Glimpse Into Bill Klopfer’s Coffers

Mindsnap is Back!

Two years ago, Alternative Control described Mindsnap Music’s Metal-Rock Mania as “fun, free, and flowing with cheap beer,” a relaxed bi-weekly event that welcomed bands from many genres.  But shortly after we wrote that article, the bar that hosted the event closed down and the all the metal-mania was put on hold… Until now.  Christian… Continue reading Mindsnap is Back!