Hailing from north of the border, The Black Halos bring to the table 13 tracks filled with driving guitars in all their glam-rock glory. Lead vocalist Billy Hopeless has a voice that could drive a vocal snob absolutely insane, but its raspiness is a perfect match with the music. Unlike a lot of modern-day post-punk glam rock, these guys have it together not only musically but also lyrically. I sense a lack of egotistical attitude with this band, something that keeps the music from being the clichéd, recycled crap I hear so very often. If you are in the mood for some hard rock minus the lame lyrics, give ALIVE WITHOUT CONTROL a shot.

(Review originally appeared in the April 2006 issue of Skratch Magazine)