You should never underestimate the bassists, because they are usually the ones with the coolest amount of killer projects. Just look at Nate Newton. He has Converge, Doomriders, and Old Man Gloom. These are all equally good in their own ways. The bassist for this band, Kayhan Viziri, also plays for Coliseum. And judging… Continue reading YAUTJA – Songs Of Descent (Forcefield)
Super Bowl Snacks, Part VII: For All You Healthy People
It’s that time of year again…where I use football as an excuse to be glutinous! But Super Bowl snacks don’t have to be loaded with calories to be tasty. Here are a couple of vegan, gluten-free snacks that have lots of flavor and are good for you too. The Chile Lime Mango and Papaya… Continue reading Super Bowl Snacks, Part VII: For All You Healthy People
Payday Downloads: The Best Things in Life are Free, ft. Kali Ma, Jimmy Junk Bird, and Some Comp Albums
Didn’t really need to wait for the check this time around – everything in today’s column is free! The first selection comes from the only local instrumental metal band I know of, Kali Ma. They released the track “Boomslang” from their upcoming album The Devil Knows Your Dead. “Boomslang” is a great example of why… Continue reading Payday Downloads: The Best Things in Life are Free, ft. Kali Ma, Jimmy Junk Bird, and Some Comp Albums
Book Review: Alex Skolnick’s Geek to Guitar Hero
Alex Skolnick, the talented lead guitarist of thrash metal band Testament and jazz band The Alex Skolnick Trio recently wrote an autobiography Geek to Guitar Hero. He begins with his childhood where he talks about his challenging upbringing in an academic family, his rise to fame with Testament, and his independent journey towards becoming an… Continue reading Book Review: Alex Skolnick’s Geek to Guitar Hero
The Last Bat-Shaped Helicopter Out of Saigon: An Interview with Oderus Urungus of GWAR
Johnny Pluckman and Jesse Styles of Alternative Control, along with Alex Gilbert of New Noise Magazine, had a sit-down with “Dave Brockie” at Toad’s Place on 12/28/13 a few hours before he removed his human suit and transformed into Oderus Urungus. Here’s some of what the interstellar diplomat had to say about New Haven, music, the World Maggot, and the new GWAR album Battle Maximus.
Interview: Patrick Kindlon of Self Defense Family
Self Defense Family is the type of post-hardcore band that is constantly pushing boundaries, whether it be lyrically or through their music, which seems to change from release to release. They make you reconsider what constitutes punk rock or hardcore. In addition, they have a shifting line-up of musicians that can see the band swell… Continue reading Interview: Patrick Kindlon of Self Defense Family
Payday Downloads: Dream of Scipio, Barn Burner, and David Kaye
This is the first in a new bi-weekly series about music we’re finding on the web. Many of the reviews on Alternative Control are intended to be at least somewhat in-depth, but this is quite the opposite: download on Friday and post a short, conversational review by Sunday. It’s all about finding new music we… Continue reading Payday Downloads: Dream of Scipio, Barn Burner, and David Kaye