Mein Gott, Tommy Victor has been taking his vitamins
the past couple of years, hasn't he! To those who thought that Prong was dead
and gone, let me tell you this: Prong is alive and well - in fact, Prong
is probably better than they've ever been!
'The Power of the Damager' from 2007 was a good album, no doubt about it. It
easily outdid its predecessor, the disappointing comeback effort 'Scorpio Rising'
(2003), but this new album bears witness to a trio which has found the shape and
qualities of past glories without seeming dated.
Powerful, to-the-point, tight and with a bunch of great songs, 'Carved Into
Stone' is Prong when they're best. It's 'Beg to Differ' and 'Prove You Wrong',
it's Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck, it's the sound and fire we knew from the
time when Prong was a defining force in metal during the Nineties, a force which
inspired a multitude of bands around the world and never REALLY got the
recognition they deserved for it.
The mix of thrash, alternative rock, hardcore with an industrial touch and
catchy melody strikes an excellent balance. If this is the path Prong is taking
henceforth, I certainly hope Victor will focus less on Danzig, Ministry and the
other things he spends his time on these days and more on upping the frequency
of Prong releases!
Fantastic album!
