Confessions of a Music Blogger: Top Five Releases I Should Have Reviewed in 2018

One of my many resolutions for 2019 is to write more album reviews — not the “Listening Lately” kind that just have blurbs about four or five albums, but real, in-depth reviews.  But since it’s still 2018, here are blurbs on five albums that I should have sat down and written long reviews for, but… Continue reading Confessions of a Music Blogger: Top Five Releases I Should Have Reviewed in 2018

Baldwin’s Top 20 Albums of 2018

My process of music consumption is simple, but not easily explained. Many great albums take time to grow on me, which is a normal occurrence for a lot of listeners. But certain pieces of music have an almost paranormal quality. I listen to some albums once and immediately know that the artist has hit that… Continue reading Baldwin’s Top 20 Albums of 2018

Who’s Invited to the Bunker? An Apocalyptic Interview with Dust Prophet

Hailing from Manchester, New Hampshire, hard rockers Dust Prophet have released one single and seem about ready to take over New England.  Enticed by the blend of doom, stoner rock, and metal that they were able to pack into “The Big Lie,” I asked the band if they’d be willing to share it with Alternative… Continue reading Who’s Invited to the Bunker? An Apocalyptic Interview with Dust Prophet

AltCtrlToob: Getting in the Season with Arden & the Wolves’ Take on “Mary, Did You Know?”

The modern Christmas classic “Mary, Did You Know?” was originally recorded by Christian singer Michael English in 1991.  Since then, the song has been covered many times — notably by Clay Aiken, Pentatonix, and Wynonna Judd and Kenny Rogers performing a duet version.  The latest band to put their own spin on it is LA… Continue reading AltCtrlToob: Getting in the Season with Arden & the Wolves’ Take on “Mary, Did You Know?”

Getting Esoteric with Branislav from BANE

Branislav of BANE. Photo borrowed from Facebook.

One thing I’m really enjoying about Alternative Control’s Nerd Talk series is that it lets readers see a side of the featured bands they might not get to see elsewhere.  After publishing one such column by BANE frontman and mastermind Branislav, and listening to the band’s new album Esoteric Formulae while posting it, I became… Continue reading Getting Esoteric with Branislav from BANE

Album Review: Hardcore by Dead Friends 46

In case you weren’t sure genre Dead Friends 46 is playing on their new album Hardcore, well, it’s hardcore.  Released December 1st by Rank-n-File Records, the California band draws inspiration from East Coast and West Coast scenes as well as the folks across the pond. As I pressed play on the opening track, I guessed… Continue reading Album Review: Hardcore by Dead Friends 46

NERD TALK with UNENDLICH

Baltimore black metal duo Unendlich got nerdy with Alternative Control this week as they prepare to release their third studio offering, Misanthropic Sedition, on December 14th.  The EP is a precursor to a full-length album scheduled for early 2019 that,  in the words of main composer and instrumentalist Mike Connors, “deals with the reliance on religion… Continue reading NERD TALK with UNENDLICH