Prong - Ruining Lives

Published April 15 2014

*=Staff's pick	Turnover* The Barriers Windows Shut* Remove, Separate Self* Ruining Lives Absence Of Light The Book Of Change Self Will Run Riot Come To Realize Chamber Of Thought Limitations And Validations*

Genre	Hardcore/Alt. Metal/Punk Thrash	Tommy Victor	Vocals
Tracks	11	Tommy Victor	Guitar
Running time	42 Min.	-	Guitar
Label	Steamhammer/SPV	Tony Campos	Bass
Release	23 April 2014	Alexei Rodriguez	Drums
Country	USA	-	Keyboard
Producer	Tommy Victor/Steve Evetts
Similar artists	---

Before I decided to put my hands on this record, it was a long time ago since I heard something of the long running metallers Prong's music and I don't even remember what my thoughts were back then. With this release I hear things that include all kinds of elements such as hardcore attacks, alternative metal and also bits of some sort of punk thrash and I'm really not able to put a proper and decisive label to this effort.

Something about this record instantly captures me. It's indeed fiery and it sounds pretty youthful and fresh and also pretty direct without detours. As far as I'm concerned, it's definitely not a completely new chapter in the history of metal music and each song really doesn't possess a massive own identity, as most musicians like to point out. Yet there's a momentum in the disc's overall material that keeps me focused all throughout. I see it entirely as a vivid breeze with a stunning ongoing spirit, although the first half holds the majority of the most captivating colorful thrusts and attractive moments.

Swinging riffs with an eager and burning spirit and, the way I see it, a pleasant drum sound controls this record together with Tommy Victor's suitable vocal performance. Without being negative, it's feels like it's pretty safe to say that most of this record lands in some kind of comfort zone, yet comprising certain variation with faster parts and also partially softer material. This discharging missile might feel slightly repetitive when solely looking at the totality, but somehow still made in a way that engages my emotions and attracts my senses.

This was truly a huge surprise to me and this experience will probably be played at my home rather frequently from this point and forward. I almost didn't check out this piece, but I'm glad that I did. The worst part is that I'm now in a position where I decidedly have to run through the band's back catalogue to see what might be lurking in the realms of the veterans' past efforts.

See also review of: Zero Days , X - No Absolutes

Performance	Originality	Production	Vocals	Songwriting
6	4	6	7	7

Summary
7 chalices of 10 - Tobbe