The Shape is a band that’s in it for the long haul. According to their Facebook biography, they have returned to the scene after a five-year hiatus — and what a return it’s been. Playing several shows a month for the past year and dipping their fingers into the booking pie as well, they’ve made… Continue reading Album Review: The Shape’s Masque of the Red Death
Author: Jessie May
Khasm Ticket Giveaway and Interview with Bassist Keith the Wretched
From 1994-2003, gothic metal band Khasm was a force in the Connecticut music scene. As Ryan Bair wrote last year, their “enthralling blend of dark imagery and theatrics, heavy and melodic compositions, and cerebral concepts… introduc(ed) our local audience to then-unheard-of elements that were popular in European metal.” For almost a decade, they were riding… Continue reading Khasm Ticket Giveaway and Interview with Bassist Keith the Wretched
EP Review: Atomics by Problem With Dragons
A reader just turned “us” (me) on to stoner rock trio Problem With Dragons and I’m really enjoying their 2012 EP Atomics. Hailing from Easthampton, Massachusetts, these guys deliver fuzz-laden anthems in manageable 3-4 minute chunks. The EP opens with “Wanting,” catching the listener with a doomy hook almost immediately. That guitar riff builds gradually,… Continue reading EP Review: Atomics by Problem With Dragons
Slavery and Segregation… In Connecticut?
While watching the documentary Freedom Riders with my middle school students last week, one of them stumped me with a great question: was there racial segregation in Connecticut? This led the class on a broad fact-finding mission where we learned some positive and negative things about our state’s history. Here are a few of… Continue reading Slavery and Segregation… In Connecticut?
Swamp Blues from Sweden? Insubordia by The Lost Poets
When I picture Scandinavia, it’s all fjords, At the Gates, and the Northern Lights. “Swamp” and “blues” are probably the last words that come to mind. But it seems that my preconceived notions are getting challenged a lot these days — most recently by Stockholm duo The Lost Poets. These Swedes in top hats have a predilection… Continue reading Swamp Blues from Sweden? Insubordia by The Lost Poets
goste (Lower Case on Purpose) Strikes The City
If there’s three things that piss me off, it’s misspelled words, bad grammar, and electronic music. But somehow, this guy goste’s new EP Eugene ended up in the inbox and I gave it a listen. Eugene is goste’s third EP. He uses a mix of samples and real instrumental tracks, and also does his… Continue reading goste (Lower Case on Purpose) Strikes The City
This Friday, The Blizzard Continues at Toad’s Place
In case you haven’t looked at Facebook in three months, Alternative Control would like to remind you that Opus’ B-Day Blizzard Bash is happening this Friday at Toad’s Place in New Haven. The “who’s who” night of Connecticut metal will begin at 6 and feature 13 bands on two stages: “So Jessie May, you’ll… Continue reading This Friday, The Blizzard Continues at Toad’s Place