A Connecticut Yankee in John Tru’s Court: My “Best Of” Hothfest 2015

Last weekend, I got to be “band wife” on Mission Hothfest with my husband’s symphonic metal outfit Lyra. They had a Sunday afternoon slot on Tru Entertainment’s two-day metal festival, but scene supporters that they are, we were at The Waterfront pretty much all weekend. Far from my southern Connecticut home with no set to… Continue reading A Connecticut Yankee in John Tru’s Court: My “Best Of” Hothfest 2015

Alternative Control’s Top 10 Articles of 2014

  Google Analytics has spoken!  Here are the most viewed articles we wrote in 2014: 10.  Dead By Wednesday Hits the Road with Shadows Fall and What’s Wrong With My Nipples?  (a tie!) 9.  Bair Witness: ComiCONN in Bridgeport 8.   Tom’s Best Albums and Others of 2014  and Manners for Beach Goers (Another tie!) 7. … Continue reading Alternative Control’s Top 10 Articles of 2014

Bair Grills… 7 by Continuum

This is my first opportunity to grill a single band’s consecutive recording efforts; I dread the insinuation of collusion or a conflict of interests, as my journalistic integrity is tantamount to continued good faith with my readers. That said, it cannot be denied that in the time since I grilled their previous release, Rise &… Continue reading Bair Grills… 7 by Continuum

Shred Until Dead: A Review of Eyes of the Dead’s The Sum of All Your Fears

It’s strange to review an album from a local band that sounds this produced. I feel that Eyes of the Dead has come away from this fooling people into thinking they’re a national act with a big budget. And why shouldn’t they? They’ve been around for over ten years, working fervently in that timespan to… Continue reading Shred Until Dead: A Review of Eyes of the Dead’s The Sum of All Your Fears

Album Review: Crown of Scorn’s Agenda 21

It’s probably no secret at this point that I only review things I like. Why would I do that, you may ask? Why not be objective, where’s my journalistic integrity? Honestly, I think giving press to anything I don’t enjoy or believe in is not only a waste of time and effort, but also counterproductive… Continue reading Album Review: Crown of Scorn’s Agenda 21

Did You Know the Misfits are Playing?

Of course Alternative Control is hosting our own awesome Halloween show.  We’ve got bands, homemade cookies, and even a $100 gift certificate to Park City Tattoo for the best costume of the night.  But you know what we don’t have?  The Misfits. Those iconic and litigious horror punks will play The Reserve in Meriden on… Continue reading Did You Know the Misfits are Playing?

Album Review: Tear Gas Union’s Scream in Vain

Torrington’s Tear Gas Union released their debut album this month, Scream in Vain. The full-length features eight tracks of hard-hitting, 80s-style metal in the “vain” of Judas Priest and Dio, with moments of Black Sabbath and Motorhead thrown in for good measure. The album had its ups and downs for me. I could have done… Continue reading Album Review: Tear Gas Union’s Scream in Vain