Rough Edge: Prong CD Reviews

PRONG

"Carved Into Stone" (SPV; 2012)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

On their eighth studio effort, "Carved Into Stone," NYC crossover pioneers Prong make a triumphant return to past trailblazing glories.

This 11-track endeavor revisits the bludgeoning songwriting and modern explosiveness that made Prong such a unique metallic entity, sidestepping disappointing releases from the past decade to pick up with a batch of strong compositions and gargantuan grooves (“Subtract”) straight from 1996’s "Rude Awakening."

After manning the sideman guitar spot in both Ministry and Danzig, band founder Tommy Victor steps into the spotlight and shines here, spitting lyrics with his trademark sense of purpose snarl (“Path of Least Resistance”) while pounding out riff after riff with both aggression and immediacy (“Best Serves Cold,” “List of Grievances”) while fresh blood courtesy of bassist Tony Campos (Static X) and Alexai Rodriguez (3 Inches of Blood) inject their vast experience into the classic industrial-tinged ultra heavy rhythmic paradigm this band helped to mold (“Living in Pain”).

If you thought this band was yet another one of those bands content on resting on the laurels of their back catalog, "Carved Into Stone" emphatically proves otherwise.

For more information, check out http://www.prongmusic.com.

"Power of the Damn Mixxxer" (13th Planet; 2009)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Tommy Victor turned over the original mixes from Prong's latest disc, "Power of the Damager," to some of his technically-advanced musician friends to remix and "Power of the Damn Mixxxer" is the end result.

This 13-track endeavor showcases the behind-the-boards prowess of metal peeps such as Jon Clayton (Pitchshifter) and Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan) whose cosmetic cleansings and synthesized twiddlings give tracks like "The Banishment" (a song covered by two different mixes here) a throbbing makeover that pulsates with a bastardized concoction of industrial metal heft and electronic bounce ("Changing Ending Troublng Times").

Providing a ton of opportunities to take the rage to the dance floor ("Looking for Them") while laying a virtual perfect soundtrack down to a dark and futuristic action-adventure flick, Prong's latest is not only is a show of respect from the artists who contributed their own spin to Prong's genuine rawness but supplies a great deal of industrial strength metal to take the party into the morning light.

For more information, check out http://www.prongmusic.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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