Album Review: Empyrium’s Über Den Sternen (Prophecy)

Since Empyrium’s inception in 1994, the music of the German band has evolved from progressive doom / black metal to classical-influenced dark folk. With their sixth record, Über Den Sternen (translating as “Above The Stars”), they have “finally reconciled [their] vintage sound from the early days with the acoustic expression of the later Empyrium,” according… Continue reading Album Review: Empyrium’s Über Den Sternen (Prophecy)

Album Review: Death Cult by Völur (November 13th, Prophecy Productions)

Often the most innovative, emotive and powerful music defies categorisation. Sometimes you just have to hear it to understand it. A case in point is Canada’s Völur, whose third album, Death Cult, has just been released on Prophecy Productions. Often labelled as doom metal, they do indeed owe a large debt to the likes of… Continue reading Album Review: Death Cult by Völur (November 13th, Prophecy Productions)

NERD TALK with DUNCAN EVANS: Thoughts on Cormac McCarthy

Hailing from Leeds, UK, dark singer-songwriter Duncan Evans was kind enough to expound on one of his favorite authors: Cormac McCarthy.  Read on to hear about how McCarthy’s books have inspired him… I first came across Cormac McCarthy’s work about a decade ago when my dad lent me a copy of All The Pretty Horses… Continue reading NERD TALK with DUNCAN EVANS: Thoughts on Cormac McCarthy

Listening Lately: Scissorfight, Year of the Cobra, and More

The Corolla of Doom has been traded in for the Forester of Doom, but the burned CDs will never be replaced.  Here’s what I’ve been listening to in my car lately… If House of A Thousand Corpses and Sons of Anarchy got into a scissor fight at a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert, it would sound like… … Continue reading Listening Lately: Scissorfight, Year of the Cobra, and More

Listening Lately: Cult of Sorrow, Markov Soroka, and Matt Heckler

This week’s edition of Listening Lately is ALL over the place… Opening with audio of a Satanic ritual is one way to make a statement — and that’s how the first track of Cult of Sorrow’s new album  begins, with some kind of movie sample blasting into high-octane trad metal riffage.  The Ohio band is… Continue reading Listening Lately: Cult of Sorrow, Markov Soroka, and Matt Heckler

The AltCtrl Spring Sampler is Here!

Did you enjoy Volume Doom?  Then you’re in luck, because Alternative Control is going to have new music coming at you every…. Well, we’re not sure about the intervals yet, but check out the AltCtrl Spring Sampler! After seeing the overwhelming positive response to Volume Doom on social media and IRL, and observing how our… Continue reading The AltCtrl Spring Sampler is Here!

Listening Lately: Bethlehem, Rammstein, Saint Ripper, and More

Hi, friends.  Today’s column will take a different format from previous Listening Latelys, but you guys can handle it. Last weekend, Owl Maker played a show up in Salem (awesome!) with Dust Prophet, Sisters of Shaddowwe, and Saint Ripper.  Let me tell you, they do not fool around in the Salem scene.  Every goth young… Continue reading Listening Lately: Bethlehem, Rammstein, Saint Ripper, and More