My first exposure to death metal, in late 1994/early 1995, came via Obituary’s World Demise and Symbolic from Death. Both albums turned me on to the genre but it wasn’t until I discovered Entombed that it fully clicked. Left Hand Path changed my outlook on heavy music and I fully bought in to what the… Continue reading Album Review: Desolator’s Sermon of Apathy (Black Lion Records, Sept. 4th)
Track Premiere: “Colonial” by Ambassador
Alternative Control is excited to present a brand new track by Louisiana post punk outfit Ambassador! Frontman and bassist Gabe Vicknair says, “It’s great to premiere this track ahead of the release of the new album. ‘Colonial’ was the first song written for Care Vale, and naturally found its spot as the opening track and first single… Continue reading Track Premiere: “Colonial” by Ambassador
Your Bandcamp Friday Wishlist: The August 2020 Edition
Boy howdy, was the underground music scene excited when we heard that bandcamp was extending their very popular Bandcamp Friday promotion for the rest of the year! It’s almost as if bandcamp cares more about people than the federal government of the United States… But that’s a whole other column. In case you’ve been escaping… Continue reading Your Bandcamp Friday Wishlist: The August 2020 Edition
Album Review: Misery Signals’ Ultraviolet (August 7th, Self-Released)
When the opportunity to review Ultraviolet, the new offering from Misery Signals, floated across my virtual desk, it piqued my interest more than most. While I haven’t heard their entire back catalogue, I was fortunate enough to sit in on an interview with original bassist Kyle Johnson back in 2014, as a contributor to The… Continue reading Album Review: Misery Signals’ Ultraviolet (August 7th, Self-Released)
Single Review: X-Ray Love’s “Sha La Love”
Speculation and debate about the death of rock ’n’ roll has been rife for decades now. Whenever we feel certain that it is time to close the lid on the casket, another set of bands arrives to show us that rock ’n’ roll his in fact very much alive. New York City’s X-Ray Love are… Continue reading Single Review: X-Ray Love’s “Sha La Love”
Listening Lately: Vestal Claret (Again!) and Drainbow
It’s gettin’ hot in the late July blogosphere…. Today we’ve got Vestal Claret’s just-released remix of their 2011 debut album Bloodbath and Drainbow’s upcoming LP The Tower of Flints blaring from the laptop speakers. Vestal Claret is a band that pushes boundaries; they were doing occult metal before its trendy resurgence, as early as 2006. … Continue reading Listening Lately: Vestal Claret (Again!) and Drainbow
Bandcamp vs. Spotify: Which is Better?
This one is a no-brainer for underground bands: bandcamp offers the best opportunity to create revenue by selling music and merch directly to your fans. The fan profile feature also adds a social media aspect to the site, allowing users to browse each other’s collections and find new tunes. And with 2020’s Bandcamp Fridays on… Continue reading Bandcamp vs. Spotify: Which is Better?