The Coolest of Devy Metal Casualties – A Review of Devin Townsend’s Casualties of Cool

A review of a Devin Townsend album. What a surprise, right? Well don’t worry, I’ve decided to give this review of his new album Casualties of Cool a solid critique based on an honest analysis, and not in my own well documented fandom. But just to make things clear, Devin Townsend happens to be one… Continue reading The Coolest of Devy Metal Casualties – A Review of Devin Townsend’s Casualties of Cool

Interview with Mike Livingston of Ear One Productions and Bonded Through Hate

  Mike Livingston has been around the block and then some.  After traveling the world with hardcore bands 100 Demons and 25 Ta Life, he’s now back in Connecticut playing guitar in Bonded Through Hate and running his own record label, Ear One Productions.  In an email interview this weekend, Livingston talked with Alternative Control… Continue reading Interview with Mike Livingston of Ear One Productions and Bonded Through Hate

Emails from Near and Far: Reviews of Unscarred and Valence

You never know what you’ll find in ol’ inbox.  Recently we received review inquiries from French thrashers Unscarred and New York instrumental prog band Valence.  It took me awhile to get the downloaded tracks into Alternative Control’s Music Review Machine, er, my car’s CD player — but at long last I’ve listened to both bands’… Continue reading Emails from Near and Far: Reviews of Unscarred and Valence

What’s All This Jazz About?

  I’m here to talk a little bit about jazz music. And why the hell should I be talking about jazz music? I’m not a musician, nor have I received any kind of professional musical training. Sure, I’ve kicked around a few bands as a vocalist and lyricist, but give me a toy piano and… Continue reading What’s All This Jazz About?

Six Degrees of the Dead: An Interview with Eyes of the Dead for Their Ten-Year Anniversary

  As they have been a staple in the scene for, well, ten years, everyone who’s involved in the loose network we call Connecticut Metal has some connection to Eyes of the Dead.  Mine probably doesn’t involve as much alcohol as other people’s – Jill, who co-founded this blog with me, went to high school… Continue reading Six Degrees of the Dead: An Interview with Eyes of the Dead for Their Ten-Year Anniversary

Don’t Call It a Comeback: Eyehategod Delivers a Killer New Record

When these miscreants emerged from New Orleans about 25 years ago, few people were prepared for their vicious combination of Black Sabbath and My War-era Black Flag.  Their sound was noisy, ugly and very real, almost too real. Their shows often went out of control, and members of the band have spent time in jail… Continue reading Don’t Call It a Comeback: Eyehategod Delivers a Killer New Record