Staying Gold with Brenna Leath of Crystal Spiders and More

After seeing the video premiere for “Trapped” off Crystal Spiders’ debut studio album Molt, I had to find out more about this entrancing North Carolina band. Frontwoman and bassist Brenna Leath talked with me about what’s going on with Crystal Spiders, as well as how she got her start as a musician, her other projects… Continue reading Staying Gold with Brenna Leath of Crystal Spiders and More

Album Review: Echoes from Deep November by Fires in the Distance

The debut album from Connecticut metal supergroup Fires in the Distance, Echoes from Deep November more than lives up to expectations from their local scene — and furthermore, the expectations placed upon a band that was signed before their first release in the midst of a pandemic.  But these guys have been at it long… Continue reading Album Review: Echoes from Deep November by Fires in the Distance

Album Review: Subterranean Exile by The Wizar’d

Australia’s The Wizar’d have been churning out traditional doom metal since 2004, amassing a solid catalog of four full-length albums and several EPs.  Their most recent long player, Subterranean Exile (released April 24th via Cruz Del Sur) is the work of a band comfortable in its own skin.  Unlike the death metal-tinged war beat of… Continue reading Album Review: Subterranean Exile by The Wizar’d

Brandy and The Butcher Reveal “Pool Party”

Every so often, you get a promo that makes you say, “Man, this is really good” — and makes your husband look up from the couch and ask, “Who’s THAT??” Brandy and The Butcher’s Dick Circus was one such promo. And now Alternative Control is excited to present another single from the South Carolina band’s… Continue reading Brandy and The Butcher Reveal “Pool Party”

Alternative Control’s July 3rd #BandcampFriday Wishlist

Tomorrow, July 3rd, is another bandcamp Friday!  The website is waiving its revenue share to help support artists during the COVID-19 pandemic — and it’s the final “bandcamp Friday” that’s been announced thus far, so now is the time to shell out the bucks.  Here are Alternative Control’s humble suggestions of bands to check out,… Continue reading Alternative Control’s July 3rd #BandcampFriday Wishlist

EP Review: All The Pretty Little Horses by Henry Derek Ellis

Metal is often ignored by the mainstream media and sometimes belittled by those who can’t see past the loud and seemingly unwelcoming surface of the music. In spite of this — or perhaps, because of it — the metal community has continued to thrive as a supportive and welcoming scene. In the past, though, there… Continue reading EP Review: All The Pretty Little Horses by Henry Derek Ellis

Tomorrow, The World: An Interview with Marc Lopes of Let Us Prey

Coronavirus has stymied a lot of plans, but Massachusetts metallers Let Us Prey refuse be held back. They’ll be releasing their debut full-length Virtues of the Vicious on July 24th through M-Theory Audio, and they’ve got another album slated to begin recording this fall. Alternative Control had a virtual chat with vocalist Marc Lopes this… Continue reading Tomorrow, The World: An Interview with Marc Lopes of Let Us Prey