William Control - The Neuromancer (Album Review)
The Neuromancer is the 4th studio album from William Control, a side product and the brain child of Aiden frontman William Francis. The album was due for release back in December of 2013, however in November 2013 it was announced on the website the album would not be out until around March. The official release date is April 4, 2014 and will be released under Francis’ own label Control Records. William Control released 2 full albums (Hate Culture, Noir) and 1 EP (Norvus Ordo Seclorum) under Victory Records before leaving them and forming Control Records. So far 1 album (Silentium Amoris) and 1 EP (Skeleton Strings) have been released under Control. The Neuromancer is an 11 track album. The sound is electronic and dark, not exactly depressing or ominous. Francis makes use of his skills on the piano, keyboard, and synth, as well as his voice which will send chills down your spine (I’m still trying to determine if they’re good or creepy chills). Many tracks are very sensual, in a sex-dungeon-y kind of way. However ‘The Filth and The Fetish’ is totally in your face sexual, if you weren’t able to figure that out from the title. If I was a dude I’m sure I would have gotten a boner. I’m sure you will to, you know if you’re in to that sort of thing. In a handful of the tracks, you here Francis speaking opposed to singing. This isn’t the first time and hopefully not the last. He has previously released spoken tracks of Edgar Allen Poe stories and poems; Poe seems like a wonderful choice for him, he has the voice for it.
Rating: 4.5/5- What can I say? Back in middle school I was an Aiden fan, sometimes I like listening to things that are a little darker, I love Poe, and William fits the ‘tall, dark, and handsome’ mold. I admire his skills and what it takes to produce music like this, it can’t be easy! Definitley a change from what I normally listen to but it will be going into my music library right away! Be sure to catch William Control on tour now with Combichrist & New Years Day & Alt Fest 2014!
Review By: Raechel Francis of Music Mayhem.
