There are bands that keep in our minds with a wrong impression. I remember to have ran into Prong in the late 1990s and the impression I got from them was they were a Groove Metal band with outstanding instrumentals. Well, after reviewing two albums from the band I have to reconsider my impression. 2019’s “Age of Defiance” and 2017’s “Zero Days” made me think it over. Now I’ve got “State of Emergency” whose urgent Thrash Metal surprises me. Maybe Prong aren’t one of them bands we can easily predict their next step. Even in the album there are no predictable songs as “State of Emergency” tells me so after many bloody thirsty Thrash Metal.
The album commences with the breathless “The Descent,” an angry Thrash Metal drenched with the 1980’s essence. Testament would be an easy influence to quote. Here the band puts out all their anguish and wrath. Two essencial feelings to be a Metal band. Just Prong being Prong. Album tittle “State of Emergency” is a more cadenced Thrash Metal tune with strong guitars and a simple, but effective drumming. It’s heavy, very heavy. It’s a song that comes out from the guts. There’s no beauty in it, if you know what I’m saying. The guitars give the song one little touch of the 1990’s with the full of effects and whammy bars leads. Going on, the Zakk Wylde’s trademark guitar squeaks give the tone of “Breaking Point” with a huge war cry that sticks in the fan’s mind. Is this the tone of album? No! Just a moment.
“State of Emergency” can be easily divide into two very different parts. The first is the one with the Thrash Metal drive that ends with “Who Told Me,” which, by the way, has a different grip. From “Obeisance” on everything changes totally. It’s like a different album. In fact, it’s more the Prong I met in the 1990’s without all the groove. It’s not an experimental facete of the band, but there are some other influences added. This is best seen by the cover of Rush’s “Working Man” from their debut album. Totally unexpected. Well, things from a band called Prong.
Prong “State of Emergency” will be released on October 06th via Steamhammer / SPV.
Track Listing:
- The Descent
- State of Emergency
- Breaking Point
- Non-Existence
- Light Turns Black
- Who Told Me
- Obeisance
- Disconnected
- Compliant
- Back (NYC)
- Working Man
Watch “The Descent” official music video here:
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