AltCtrlToob Video Premiere and Giveaway: THE SHRIEKS Cover “It’s All Over Now”

New York rockers The Shrieks are no strangers to Alternative Control. Back in May, we premiered their video for “The Climb” — a track that was very reminiscent of The Rolling Stones. And now guess who The Shrieks are covering? The Rolling Stones! Or at least The Stones covering The Valentinos…. Check out The Shrieks’… Continue reading AltCtrlToob Video Premiere and Giveaway: THE SHRIEKS Cover “It’s All Over Now”

Review the Nightmare: Johnny Pluckman’s Take on Rise to Burn’s ‘Baptize the Nightmare’

Rise to Burn of Westchester, NY are no strangers to Alternative Control, or to anyone in the local NY and CT metal scenes. They were formed in 2013, are fronted by singer and guitarist Will Checchi of the much-loved No Remission, and released their original promo album in 2014. After much anticipation I finally have… Continue reading Review the Nightmare: Johnny Pluckman’s Take on Rise to Burn’s ‘Baptize the Nightmare’

Album Review: Marty McKay’s New York City Dreams

In his upcoming album New York City Dreams, Zurich-based rock artist Marty McKay presents a “Lifetime Original” vision of what could be across the Atlantic.  His Big Apple is an expected path of standard song structures, lyrics, and vocal arrangements that will be at home on soft contemporary radio, but probably won’t inspire much passion… Continue reading Album Review: Marty McKay’s New York City Dreams

Norse Adventures in New York City: The Vikings Exhibition and Amon Amarth

This Friday, April 22nd, I embarked on a grand journey to Discovery Museum’s The Vikings Exhibition and AMON A-FREAKING-MARTH!!!!  INSERT VIKING WAR CRY HERE!!!! Yes, I was really that pumped.  I even took a hour of personal time so I could get all “metalled up” and check out the museum before the show.  It turns… Continue reading Norse Adventures in New York City: The Vikings Exhibition and Amon Amarth

Don’t Sell Yourself Short: An Interview with One-Eyed Doll, 10/4/15

by Jim Clegg Austin metal/punk duo One-Eyed Doll is in the middle of a tour supporting their new release Witches, a concept album based on the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials.  Singer and guitarist Kimberly Freeman (who’s been featured as Revolver Magazine’s Hottest Chick in Hard Rock in 2011 and 2012) and drummer/producer Jason “Junior”… Continue reading Don’t Sell Yourself Short: An Interview with One-Eyed Doll, 10/4/15

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

Maelstrom: Metal Never Dies, It Just Grows Up and Has Kids

In the late 80s and early 90s, a young Long Island band named Maelstrom made waves in the northeast with their unique blend of thrash and power metal.  Inevitably, though, members went off to college, started families, and cut their hair, and Maelstrom joined the graveyard that so many good bands end up in. But… Continue reading Maelstrom: Metal Never Dies, It Just Grows Up and Has Kids