A deeper look at the grooves pressed into the vinyl version of Searching For Zero by Cancer Bats. Leave it to Cancer Bats to challenge metal convention by scaling back the production values which are normally strapped to metal albums (“bombastic” is an understatement) and just let the raw aggression and technical talent which is present in every damned microtone of each song be the things which make the album’s stylistic ambition undeniable instead. That’s precisely what the group has...

Hello Readers of Ground Control Magazine, I would like to introduce myself as Amanda Faculty, a new columnist for Ground Control. I am a San Francisco chick born and raised in the hype of Kurt and Courtney. My dad raised me on Oingo Boingo and camping trips, Led Zeppelin and late nights. Decades later, I go to many alternative rock shows including the genres of shoe gaze, punk, and surf rock. Of course, my folk heart attends Hardly Strictly Bluegrass every year....

The Raveonettes just released their first track of 2016 “The World Is Empty (Without You)”. The new track is the first in a series of releases from the Danish duo’s RAVE-SOUND-OF-THE-MONTH playlist, a 12 month playlist which will feature a freshly recorded track released every month this year. The Raveonettes have always strived to do things their own way both creatively and stylistically. 2016 is no different, and Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo have released a brand new track...

The Soft Moon is a San Francisco based neo-post-punk band composed of Luis Vasquez(singer/songwriter/guitar/synthesizers), Justin Anastasi (bass), Damon Way (synthesizers) and Ron Robinson (visuals).Keven Tecon joined the band as a drummer in early 2012. The Soft Moon has taken cues from early synthpunk/post-punk bands such as Chrome, Suicide, Danse Society and The Units. The Soft Moon was founded by Luis Vasquez as a solo project in 2009. He released two singles, “Breathe the Fire” and “Parallels”, while working on his...

A deeper look at the grooves pressed into the Global Chakra Rhythms LP by JEFF The Brotherhood. It may have taken an unfortunate, poor experience with Warner Brothers to get JEFF The Brotherhood to start pushing the possibilities of what they could do with their music (the label didn’t really love the music and shelved a couple of the band’s releases during their tenure together) but, now that Global Chakra Rhythms is out and has presented a new image and...

Continuing our exploration of heavy metal music in Finland, here is a new review by our Finnish correspondent, Suvi Jyrinki. XII – Kouvostomolli by Viikate (=scythe in Finnish) could not have come out at any better time now that I needed something for just floating in mercilessly dark bittersweet moods and being aware of how ridiculous it is. The Finnish band Viikate has been around since 1996 and their music combines metal with 1960s instrumental rock. That´s why this band...

A Raw Youth CD by Le Butcherettes Ipecac Recordings Reviewed by G. Murray Thomas Teri Gender Bender is my new rock star crush, following Patti Smith, Deborah Harry, and Shirley Manson. They are all beautiful (in unique ways), but more important, they all have attitude. Just as their beauty is individual, so is their attitude. Smith’s is expressed in a hardcore stare, daring you to deny her her place at the table with Keith, Jim, and Jimi. Harry’s is a...

A deeper look at the grooves pressed into the reissue pressing of the Brazen Head EP by Swingin’ Utters. Let me tell you what an absolute joy it is for me to review this album for you on our Vinyl Vlog. We’re going to dig deep for this one; not only are we going to look deeply into the grooves pressed into Brazen Head (one of the most underrated EPs of all time), we’re going to take you through some...

Dave Hill Let Me Turn You On (Aspecialthing/Allegro) Hold onto your seat because this album came completely out of nowhere! But, now that I’m aware of Dave Hill, the guy seems to pop up everywhere. Like, he hosts a show on WFMU and he plays in the band who wrote the theme song to John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight. Also, did you know he’s Cleveland’s pride and joy? Also, he’s a comedian and this is his first comedy album. But...

I know I can always refer to Wilco when I want to make a point about what an idiot I actually am. Not that it isn’t obvious to most people. Wilco is one of those bands that I’ve avoided most of my life. First because they weren’t aggressive enough, second because I associated them with my ex, and third because I thought they were washed up at this point. Like I said, I’m an idiot. Another reason for me to...