After a self-prescribed hiatus, 2012 saw PRONG blow the hinges off the door with the
release of “Carved Into Stone.” Seemingly out of nowhere, Tommy Victor and
company managed to combine all the previous elements of the band’s formula:
thrash, hardcore, industrial metal, etc. with a new urgency and angst that struck a
deep nerve with the band’s loyal fan-base and beyond.
The band marched onwards with 2014’s highly acclaimed “Ruining Lives” which
spawned a number of instant classics. “Turnover,” “The Barriers” and the title track
became staples in their live set when embarking on a bone breaking schedule of
concerts around the world in support of the record. A video for “Remove, Separate
Self” was released creating even more interest in this significant recording.
Recorded over the summer of 2014 and released in early 2015, PRONG’s cover
album
“Songs From The Black Hole” was loved by fans and critics alike. Always game to
make the unexpected move, the album featured songs from artists as diverse as
Husker Dü, The Bad Brains, Black Flag, The Sisters Of Mercy and Neil Young.
After yet another headline tour, it was straight back to the studio for another studio
album. Just days after mixing was completed, PRONG went on the road with Danzig
and SuperJoint Ritual in North America and released the first single “Ultimate
Authority” on the day the tour began.
The album that followed, “X – No Absolutes,” was once again PRONG at their very
best. The sheer intensity and ferocity of the albums opening triumvirate “Ultimate
Authority,” “Sense Of Ease” and “Without Words” left the listener gasping for air. The
album was once again followed by a massive world wide touring campaign, this time
as special guest to Obituary and Exodus in Europe and to Testament and Sepultura
in North America.
In between tours, Tommy Victor managed to write and record yet another album, his
fourth album of all new works and his sixth recording project in as little as five years.
Describing him as being at his most prolific is an understatement.
The new PRONG-Album “ZERO DAYS” is another monster of an album, another
step towards refining the perfect PRONG-Sound and another album that lacks any
filler or lacklustre moment.
Musically, it hits home from the first bars of the mighty opener “However It May End”
to the last bars of the albums closing track “Wasting Of The Dawn.” Every track is it’s
own emotional roller-coaster ride, chock-full of massive riffage, ironclad grooves and
topped off by Victor’s ever-improving vocal delivery.
“ZERO DAYS” was once again produced by Tommy Victor, with trusted collaborator
Chris Collier as co-producer and engineer.
Tommy Victor talks about “ZERO DAYS”:
“I must say a lot of effort was put into this new “Zero Days” recording. From the
minute I would get off tour, I would consolidate ideas from the road and form new
ones. Again the focus was on creating good songs. We wanted this record to be
modern as well as holding justice to all the previous releases. Again and maybe even
more than normally I went crazy meticulous with the lyrics. I had built up a lot to say
and I wanted to articulate them in the most intelligent way possible.I firmly believe the
mission was accomplished all around.
We are really pleased with the performances on this record, as well. It’s a solid
outing. We have the anthems, the bangers, the thrashers, the grooves, everything
that makes up a PRONG record. It’s definitely a record to listen to start to finish!!”
Read our review here.
