Blast from the past - William Control Review - Nov 2008

A few years ago I used to write reviews of my favourite films and albums. I don't know why I stopped because I really enjoyed it. I found an old memory stick the other day and this is a review I wrote back in 2008 about William Control's first album, Hate Culture:

William Control – Hate Culture

This is a concept album from the front man of Aiden.  The idea being that William Control is in London and is spending the last night on earth before he commits suicide. He is going to spend it fucking and killing in London before ending his own life.

The CD case has a brooding image of William Control (aka. wiL Francis from Aiden).  Dressed in 18^th century style on the cover art, you would take him for a Jack the Ripper type. Inside the cover contains so many thanks it takes a while to read them all and proves that this artist needs people and places in his life.  The pictures in the booklet set the scene that will carry on in the music, one of sex and violence.  All the photos are taken by the excellent photographer Lisa Johnson, who does a lot of work for Kerrang (who are also mentioned in the thanks list).

1.    Prologue- this comes from The Libertine and is re-written for William Control. Deep, aggressive reading of the piece all about human destruction.

2.    Beautiful Loser- sets the scene musically for the rest of the album.  This is a dance style album so if you bought this thinking it was going to be like Aiden, then think again!  The upbeat music will get you up and dancing, but the lyrics are all about pain in love and suggests this man has been hurt.

3.    Strangers- ‘80’s style electronica that is like Erasure.  Aggressive vocals linking love and death.  Anti-religion is the theme where a man feels let down by God.  The mid-section is the sound of an aggressive sexual experience leading to the death of the woman.  Really like a modern Jack the Ripper story of a prostitute plying her trade and being killed.  Some psychological issues here.

4.    Hate Culture- the title track with an intro that lasts about 1 minute and 52 seconds.  The vocals are brooding…like a dark Killers track.  Again God has forsaken humanity and all is dark and evil.  Man makes his own way in the world.  Disappointed in life and humanity.

5.    Tranquilize- could be the best song on the album.  The dance beat and tune will lead you to a false sense of security but the lyrics suggests yet another young woman being led to the arms of hell by William Control. Dark and unsettling, but gorgeous in execution.

6.    Razors Edge- all about inflicting pain in sex to get kicks because it numbs the pain of living and creates a sense of control for both giver and receiver.  The monologue in the middle suggests a subconscious hatred of everything because of a build up of pain and panic.  The end suggests heartache and disappointment in love.

7.    We Are Already Here/Cemetery- the child in WAAH suggests that it doesn’t matter what you do in life, we are all going to hell.  Cemetery, in reply, suggests we are already in hell and there is no point in believing in anything as God doesn’t exist, nor dos love and it is foolish to believe in William Control as he will let you down.  The true feelings of William Control.

8.    Don’t Cry For Me- William Control’s last attempt at taking control as he plans his suicide.  He pleads with the listener not to miss him, as he is not going to miss the pain and misery that is his life.

9.    Damned- building to almost frenzy the music propels you into a feeling of lost hope before the vocals cut in to kick you when you’re down.  Again hatred is the theme, but this time William Control is leading you through a journey of his own death and destruction.  But first there is time or one more killing spree…his last form of control.

10. The Whipping Haus- domination, sex and violence is all here in this emotionally charged, penultimate track.  Again this is how to use sex as a way to control your own life when all other aspects are controlled for you. Pain in sex is again used to numb the pain of living.

11. London Town- the only track comprising of guitar and strings.  This is because William Control has ended it all and his sex and violence rampage around London has ended.  The euphoria of what he has done has hit him and all must end as it has left him hollow and dead inside anyway.  Beautiful and haunting.

If you have patience then listen to the end and you will be frightened out of your skin by the car alarm followed by the brutal murder of an old lady as she phones the police because William Control has done his worst. 

He might not want you to like him, but you might not help liking William Control.  A good effort from the Aiden front man that is therapeutic for artist and listener alike.  Music needed this right now.  You might not like the personality of William Control, but you will like this album.