By: Hunter Young
Album Type:
Full
Length
Date Released: Steamhammer/SPV
Label: 05/02/2016
Prong is one of those bands that seem to be able to move
effortlessly through differing genres, usually within one song. Typically
categorized under thrash, they move through many guises and for that reason, it
is a very hard to pigeonhole, but it's always fun to hear and “No Absolutes” is
absolutely no exception. “X-No Absolutes” begs further listens after it kills
the last note, it's a deep cave to explore, and one that will have your neck at
the breaking point rather quickly once it hits full swing. Prong fans, new and
old, will be able to appreciate this for years to come.
“X-No Absolutes” CD//DD//LP track
listing:
1.Ultimate Authority (2:54)
2.Sense Of Ease (4:05)
3.Without Words (3:18)
4.Cut And Dry (3:51)
5.No Absolutes (3:17)
6.Do Nothing (3:40)
7.Belief System (3.21)
8.Soul Sickness (3:05)
9.In Spite Of Hindrances (2:45)
10.Ice Runs Through My Veins (4:04)
11.Worth Pursuing (3:12)
12.With Dignity (3:14)
13.Universal Law (Bonus Track)
2.Sense Of Ease (4:05)
3.Without Words (3:18)
4.Cut And Dry (3:51)
5.No Absolutes (3:17)
6.Do Nothing (3:40)
7.Belief System (3.21)
8.Soul Sickness (3:05)
9.In Spite Of Hindrances (2:45)
10.Ice Runs Through My Veins (4:04)
11.Worth Pursuing (3:12)
12.With Dignity (3:14)
13.Universal Law (Bonus Track)
The Review:
MMMMMMMMM that new Prong album smell!
For those of you that don't know the Prong freight train, whether too young or you simply didn't
get the memo, they've been around since 1986 and despite demolishing in several
other projects, including Danzig, Prong is always going to be his home. Classic tracks to
check out for the curious include “Whose
Fist is This Anyway?”, “Beg to Differ” and, of course my personal favorite,
the brutal “Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your
Neck”. Their new endeavour, entitled “X-No
Absolutes” is a perfect return to form for these metal legends.
Prong is one of
those bands that seem to be able to move effortlessly through differing genres,
usually within one song. Typically categorized under thrash, they move through many
guises and for that reason, it is a very hard to describe pigeonhole, but it's
always fun to hear and “No Absolutes”
is absolutely no exception. It's a hodge-podge of styles that mix like gin and
tonic: perfectly.
Opening up with “Ultimate Authority”, you have a solid thrash base, accompanied by heavy chugging with high gain crunchier than fresh popcorn. Victor continually keeps it heavy, with his alt picking rhythmics and savage shreddery, classed up with tapping and runs galore sprinkled liberally on the album. Examples of just titanic guitar work can be found on “Sense of Ease”, “Cut and Dry”, and the latter half of “Belief System”.
Something I have always loved about Prong is their ability to carry a melodic streak without
sounding forced and Tommy Victor absolutely
nails the clean vocal sections, indeed the
title track, “No Absolutes” and “Do Nothing” are hauntingly beautiful as
he almost croons to you, bringing the mood into a deep shadow. Victor plays his
voice like his guitar, casting a wide net to ensnare the listener.
“X-No
Absolutes” begs further listens after it kills the last
note, it's a deep cave to explore, and one that will have your neck at the
breaking point rather quickly once it hits full swing. Prong
fans, new and old, will be able to appreciate this for years to come.
“X-No
Absolutes” is available now
Band
info: facebook
