Holy hell in a hand basket, where is the lid on Tommy Victor and Prong? Since 2012 they’ve released five albums: ‘Carved Into Stone’, ‘Ruining Lives’, ‘Songs From the Black Hole’, ‘X-No Absolutes’ and now ‘Zero Days’. That’s some serious productivity folks. And what’s really amazing the consistency of quality through out all of the albums. By now it’s pretty easy to figure out Tommy Victor’s song writing process. He has four go to skeletons for all of his songs: His classic thrashers, the deep and heavy groove pieces, the melodic thrashers and the melodic mid-tempos. All with a slight touch of progressive and industrial metal. And on this album he’s really mastered the process of mixing them all together to create a complete and intoxicating metal record.
First up is the one, two, three punch of ‘However it May End’, ‘Zero Days’ and ‘Off the Grid’. What a way to open an album! It’s just bam, bam, bam! You instantly know it’s going to be a great record as Tommy Victor combines all of his skeletons seamlessly. The manic, progressive slaughter of the main riff of ‘Zero Days’ will leave any listener in the dust. The album then moves into a mid-tempo melodic metal classic with ‘Divide and Conquer’. ‘Forced into Tolerance’ is a pure classic thrasher that hark ens back to the earliest works, before the band got signed. ‘Interbeing’ introduces the groove metal elements, which are my personal favorite. Mixed with some mid-tempo melodic excellentness and you’ve got one of the best songs on the album. ‘Blood Out of Stone’ is a great example of a Prong style ballad. It should be a hit but you know, the corporate radio stations won’t allow it. ‘Operation of the Moral Law’ will break your neck with headbanging drive and a pummeling thrash riff. ‘The Whispers’ displays the growth of Tommy Victor. It has a ‘Who’s Fist is this Anyway?’ vibe to it. But it also has classic thrash elements and one of Tommy Victors most infectious vocal melodies. Remember, Prong wasn’t always a melodic band. Tommy Victor singing is a pretty fresh element for the group’s sound still.
The album doesn’t let up a bit with the next track ‘Self Righteous Indignation’. It’s my favorite track on the album. I love the groove metal side to Prong. They do it almost better than any one else. Yes, even Pantera. And ‘Self Righteous Indignation’ is a prime showcase for that argument. ‘Rulers of the Collective’ and ‘Compulsive Future Projection’ are both very satisfying mid-tempo melodic pieces. With an excellent groove breakdown on ‘Compulsive Future Projection’. The album then finishes off in strong fashion with ‘Wasting of the Dawn’. A pure classic Prong piece. It feels like it could be on the Cleansing album from 1994, but with an updated vibe and even heavier arrangement. A track that’s sure to keep the old fans satisfied while gaining new ones.
Overall this album is in many ways the definitive Prong record. As in if someone asked what they sound like I would most likely play this album. It really has every element that Tommy Victor contains in his arsenal. And while the past four albums of original material also share those elements, they aren’t as seamlessly put together. This album just moves and you get lost in it. That’s a sign of a truly terrific record. Can’t wait to see them on this tour. Don’t forget to catch Prong live if they’re coming to your area. And also do yourself a favor and get a copy of this album. Highlighted songs posted below.
A real thrasher.
Example of how Prong grooves better than almost any metal band. Low and slow baby!!
I don’t want to post too many songs. That’ll give the album away. Just go get it! You won’t regret it!
