Bair Witness: Deathwish Collective on January 2nd at Cook’s, Dammit! Or, Homeward Bound: An Incredible Journey

For those of you who may not have known (or noticed), I’ve been away for eight months. Not just away from Alternative Control in the throes of Lazy Writer Syndrome, not just away from The Scene, skipping everyone’s shows and sitting on the couch complaining about no good local music; I’ve been working abroad since… Continue reading Bair Witness: Deathwish Collective on January 2nd at Cook’s, Dammit! Or, Homeward Bound: An Incredible Journey

Yes Virginia, There is Metal in Connecticut: One Virginia Dude’s Ode to Nightbitch and the CT Metal Scene

Editor’s Note: Virginia-by-way-of-Connecticut metalhead Mike Wilcox, a.k.a. “Vest Bro” to Alternative Control readers, recently began writing for a well-respected music blog.  Imagine his surprise and delight to see a band from his ol’ home state on the the review list: Nightbitch.  Mike’s editor decided not to run the short piece he wrote because there was… Continue reading Yes Virginia, There is Metal in Connecticut: One Virginia Dude’s Ode to Nightbitch and the CT Metal Scene

Baldwin’s Metal Playlist of 2015

Ghost – “Mummy Dust” This was the most immediately enjoyable track on Meliora. I go into pretty good detail on why it’s such a standout on my album review, so it’s no wonder why it ended up here. It’s a thrash song that loves 1980s power pop and doesn’t shy away from classic symphonic rock… Continue reading Baldwin’s Metal Playlist of 2015

The Wizards of Winter Bring the Magic of Winter to Ridgefield, Connecticut

It’s not often you get to see a rock concert in Ridgefield, Connecticut, but last Wednesday I got to witness what was called “the best show the Ridgefield Playhouse has ever had.” For those not familiar with the Ridgefield Playhouse, it is a fantastic not for profit venue that features local acts and also pulls… Continue reading The Wizards of Winter Bring the Magic of Winter to Ridgefield, Connecticut

Doom, Noise, and Death Metal: Tom’s Top Twenty-Five Albums of 2015

Every year, I always hear the complaints from various people that there isn’t any good new music being made. Well, here are 25 albums that totally floated my boat in the past year. And I could have put another 10 on here. KEN Mode – Success (Season Of Mist) Fight Amp – Constantly Off (Brutal… Continue reading Doom, Noise, and Death Metal: Tom’s Top Twenty-Five Albums of 2015

Whatchu Know ‘Bout Piss-Yellow Cassette Tapes? An Interview with Jeff McCarthy of Against All Odds Productions

Jeff McCarthy of Against All Odds Productions has been writing a bit for us over the past year.  This week, he and I “sat down” via email to talk about some of the bands he’s working with and their releases.  Here is what he had to say about Know Nothing, Fistula, and Meth Drinker among… Continue reading Whatchu Know ‘Bout Piss-Yellow Cassette Tapes? An Interview with Jeff McCarthy of Against All Odds Productions

Light and Shade: A Review of Sunn O)))’s Kannon

Sunn O))) is an acquired taste. You either get it or you don’t. I happen to get it, and enjoy it immensely. But in order to really enjoy this music, you need to have an appreciation for music in the textural sense. Sunn O))) deals with musical drones. Drone music doesn’t exist within the regular… Continue reading Light and Shade: A Review of Sunn O)))’s Kannon