Prong have been seriously active these last few years with “Ruining Lives” released in 2014 and “Songs From The Black Hole” in 2015, which featured cover songs from influential punk and hardcore bands. 2016 sees the band release their latest new album “X – No Absolutes” which looks to be one of Prong’s best albums to date.
“Ultimate Authority” is the lead single which also kicks off the album and it’s a brilliant start already with it’s Pantera-esque riff which hits your face immediately. The album diversifies after this as Prong have been doing for some time now, with blending of hardcore, thrash and melodic rock. All genres by the way that Prong have been influential on in some form or another, just ask any band in these genres who credit Prong as been a huge influence on their sound.
For the punkier/thrashy kind of stuff, look no further than “Sense Of Ease” which follows from the lead track. It grooves mid-tempo towards the end but otherwise it’s a sonic assault from the beginning. “In Spite Of Hindrance” leans more towards thrash metal with it’s blistering riffs and double kick drums, this is a highlight of the album and it’s heading towards the end of the album too. Which brings me to my next point in that this album keeps getting stronger and stronger as it progresses. As frontman Tommy Victor told us in a recent interview promoting the album, the tracklist was a difficult job which clearly had some time and effort put into it. “Cut And Dry” is a brilliant track and a personal favorite of mine, it’s hardcore style with a killer riff is mesmerizing to say the least and just cuts right into your teeth. “Belief System” is another hardcore track which spills out Prong’s influence on the nu-metal genre, which is a testament to Prong’s inspirational grooves and breakdowns.
The tracks go on, “Do Nothing” is a more personal song on the lyric front and one that may challenge the die hard Prong fans with it’s more mellower touch, “Soul Sickness” grooves again in rock style, while “Ice Runs Through My Veins” is anthemic all through out the song. The title track is obvious Prong, a blend of anthemic choruses and riffy verses and “Worth Pursuing” screams classic metal. It’s a solid album all the way through with very little room for filler material, every song givng you a different experience that deviates away from the previous and next. If you still haven’t caught on to Prong who are now 30 years into this, get into it now as you will snap your fingers and snap your neck!
TRACKLIST
Ultimate Authority
Sense Of Ease
Without Words
Cut And Dry
No Absolutes
Do Nothing
Belief System
Soul Sickness
In Spite Of Hindrances
Ice Runs Through My Veins
Worth Pursuing
With Dignity
Universal Law (bonus track)
Check out our interview with Tommy Victor here
