Alloy Mental

Before Alloy Mental came together, each of its three members had already carved out individual achievements in music. Belfast-born vocalist Martin J. Corrigan and guitarist Danny Todd, also from Belfast, had previously played together in Corrigan, whose 2003 album How To Hang Off A Rope drew positive critical notice yet ultimately failed to realize its promise and disbanded the following year. Seeking a new outlet, the pair linked up with techno producer Phil Kieran, whose earlier releases had appeared on imprints including Bugged Out! and Kingsize and who now wished to assemble a conventional group. After unsuccessful auditions for vocalists, Corrigan joined the project, effectively rescuing it, and brought Todd aboard to broaden its sonic range. The closing months of 2004 were devoted to rehearsal and composition, culminating in the March 2005 release of the single “Alloy Mental” on Skint Records—a pounding, relentless track poised between Nitzer Ebb and Queens Of The Stone Age. Additional singles followed through the end of 2005 and into early 2006. A chance airport encounter with New Order bassist Peter Hook led to a promotional copy of the band’s debut album being handed to him, which in turn secured an opening slot on New Order’s tour. Issued in summer 2007, We Have Control delivered an angular, exploratory blend of breakbeat, techno and industrial rock that proved gripping at several turns.