Another Prong album, and yet another line-up, the only consistent feature being founder, guitarist, writer, producer and vocalist Tommy Victor, now supported by Jason Christopher on bass and ex-Winds Of Plague drummer Art Cruz. This constant need for reinvention may well be reflected in the lyrics of the blasting industrial opener ‘Turnover’, and its refrain of a “need to be reborn.” As a prelude of what is to come this track certainly sets a tone of power and energy, Mr Victor’s guitar being harder and faster then it has been in years, reflecting perhaps a new found passion.
This same hunger continues through the speeding riffs of ‘The Barriers’, a number that feels in energy that it will create spinning brutal pits wherever it is played live, itself being followed up by ‘Windows Shut’, the song alternating between almost prog noodlings with a hardcore blast, the band happy to experiment with different and potentially disparate time signatures and bring them together into a solid whole. Each number on the album speeds by in four minute packages of intensity. ‘Remove, Separate Self’ is peppered with catchy chant along lyrics; ‘Ruining Lives’ has a speed and complexity to keep thrashers banging away and a warp factor 6 technical guitar solo, whilst ‘Absence of Light’ harkens to the staccato bark of ‘Snap Your Fingers’.
Time and again, what shines through in the album is the new found enthusiasm Tommy Victor seems to have for his music. Prong have never been faster then they have been in ‘The Book of Change’, the guitar ripping out with a speed and spite that is unprecedented in the band’s near 30 year history, and the sort of riff and solo that Kerry King wishes he could still produce. ‘Self Will Run Riot’ with its almost laid back chorus, despite having its own punch, is almost a relaxing relief against the preceding track, but only if your idea of relaxation is a battering hook laden groove.
There are few bands with this length of service that could hope to produce this level of intensity and relevance, and for that Mr Victor is to be applauded; my next taste of Prong live will be at Bloodstock, and as well as the classics, I hope there will be plenty played from ‘Ruining Lives’. Certain stadium filling metallic dinosaurs should give this a listen, give themselves a long hard look in the mirror, and either up their game or quit.
(9/10 Spenny)
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