Prong

Biography

Prong is an American heavy metal band formed in New York City in 1986. The band is fronted by guitarist/vocalist Tommy Victor, Prong's sole constant member. The band was originally composed of Victor, bassist Mike Kirkland, and drummer Ted Parsons. Their first two studio releases, the mini-album Primitive Origins×Primitive Origins1987 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Disbelief1:42A2Watching1:52A3Cling to Life1:39A4Denial1:43A5Dreams Like That2:19B1In My Veins2:10B2Climate Control3:13B3Persecution4:56 (1987) and full-length album Force Fed×Force FedJanuary 1988 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Freezer Burn2:33A2Forgery1:52A3Senseless Abuse3:18A4Primitive Origins3:23A5Aggravated Condition2:52A6The Coliseum2:33B1Decay2:44B2It's Been Decided2:18B3Force Fed2:48B4The Taming1:47B5Look Up At The Sun3:07B6Drainpipe2:20 (1988), were released independently and leaned into the crossover thrash genre. The trio signed with Epic Records in 1989, and their first major label release, the following year's Beg to Differ, was a minor success as it received regular exposure on MTV's Headbangers Ball. The album transitioned the band into a groove metal sound.
Bassist Troy Gregory replaced Kirkland for 1991's Prove You Wrong, which was Prong's first album to appear on a Billboard chart as it peaked at No. 34 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. The lead single, "Prove You Wrong×Prove You Wrong24 September 1991 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Irrelevant Thoughts2:372Unconditional4:453Positively Blind2:444Prove You Wrong3:325Hell If I Could4:006Pointless3:087Contradictions4:118Torn Between3:129Brainwave3:0210Territorial Rites3:3111(Get a) Grip (on Yourself)3:0612Shouldn't Have Bothered2:4013No Way to Deny It4:41", peaked at No. 58 on UK Singles chart, the band's highest position on that chart. Gregory was soon replaced by bassist Paul Raven. The band's lineup expanded to four members for the first time with the addition of keyboardist John Bechdel for 1994's Cleansing. The album marked a change of direction towards a more industrial sound, being regarded as Prong's "most varied record". Cleansing peaked at No. 126 on the Billboard 200 chart and the single "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck×Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck (single version)3:582Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck4:123Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck (Harder Than Hardcore remix)7:49" became one of Prong's most prominent songs. After the departure of Bechdel, Prong would release 1996's Rude Awakening. Despite reaching moderate positions on the charts, the decreased commercial performance of Rude Awakening prompted Epic to drop the band, which led to their disbandment.
After a five-year hiatus, Prong was reformed in early 2002 with a new lineup and tour. Victor was the only former member to return, and the band has revolved around him since then. Prong subsequently signed to Locomotive Music to release 2003's Scorpio Rising. In 2007, the band released Power of the Damager through 13th Planet Records. In 2012, the band switched to SPV Records and released Carved into Stone that same year, followed by Ruining Lives (2014) and the cover album Songs from the Black Hole×Songs From the Black Hole25 March 2015 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Doomsday2:442Vision Thing4:433Goofy's Concern2:434Kids of the Black Hole5:305Bars4:186Seeing Red6:197Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely3:328Give Me the Cure3:089Banned in D.C.2:2110Cortez the Killer6:52 (2015). Three more albums followed, again on SPV: 2016's X – No Absolutes (which gave Prong their highest position on the Heatseekers Albums chart in over two decades at No. 7), 2017's Zero Days, and 2023's State of Emergency. The band then signed to Napalm Records for the 2026 album Prong.

Early days (1986–1988)

The band was founded in 1986 on the Lower East Side by singer/guitarist Tommy Victor (then a sound engineer for the New York City music club CBGB) and bassist Mike Kirkland (doorman at CBGB), who recruited ex-Swans drummer Ted Parsons shortly after. Prong independently released an EP, Primitive Origins×Primitive Origins1987 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Disbelief1:42A2Watching1:52A3Cling to Life1:39A4Denial1:43A5Dreams Like That2:19B1In My Veins2:10B2Climate Control3:13B3Persecution4:56 (1987), and a studio album, Force Fed×Force FedJanuary 1988 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Freezer Burn2:33A2Forgery1:52A3Senseless Abuse3:18A4Primitive Origins3:23A5Aggravated Condition2:52A6The Coliseum2:33B1Decay2:44B2It's Been Decided2:18B3Force Fed2:48B4The Taming1:47B5Look Up At The Sun3:07B6Drainpipe2:20 (1988), both of which were noted for their very raw sound.

Major label signing and underground success (1989–1995)

Prong signed with Epic Records in 1989. Their major label debut album, Beg to Differ×Beg to DifferFebruary 1990 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1For Dear Life3:24A2Steady Decline4:12A3Beg to Differ4:15A4Lost and Found4:02A5Your Fear4:49B1Take It in Hand3:40B2Intermenstrual, D.S.B.3:10B3Right to Nothing2:55B4Prime Cut3:47B5Just the Same4:41, was released in 1990.
In the following year, Kirkland left the band and was replaced by bassist Troy Gregory. Prong issued their fourth release, Prove You Wrong, which saw the band experiment with programming and electronic samples while still retaining an aggressive yet melodic sensibility.
By 1993, Troy Gregory was out of the band and was replaced by Paul Raven and John Bechdel, both from Killing Joke and Murder, Inc. The new line-up released Cleansing (Prong's fifth major release) in 1994. With a slight industrial metal influence, Cleansing contained songs that are still considered Prong classics ("Broken Peace×Broken Peace12 July 1994 · Single · RemixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Broken Peace (single remix)4:502Broken Peace (Crazy Cuts mix)4:043Broken Peace (full mix)6:024Whose Fist Is This Anyway? (short mix)3:085Corpus Delecti3:34" and "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck×Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck (single version)3:582Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck4:123Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck (Harder Than Hardcore remix)7:49") and is Prong's most successful release to date. The videos for these two songs became staples of MTV's Headbangers Ball. The band toured America with Sepultura and Pantera as an opener for their respective Chaos A.D. and Far Beyond Driven tours. They also undertook a headlining European tour with Life of Agony and The Obsessed as their support.

Demise (1996–2002)

Prong's 5th album Rude Awakening×Rude Awakening14 May 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Controller3:402Caprice2:463Rude Awakening4:184Unfortunately3:085Face Value4:106Avenue of the Finest3:377Slicing3:288Without Hope3:139Mansruin3:3010Innocence Gone3:1011Dark Signs3:2112Close the Door4:0613Proud Division3:11 was released in 1996. It entered the charts at No. 107 and sold 10,000 units in the United States in its first week. Despite the good sales, Epic Records released the band from their contract three weeks after the album's release. Shortly thereafter, Raven left prior to a tour supporting Type O Negative and was replaced by Rob "Blasko" Nicholson. Mike Riggs later joined on guitar so Victor could focus more on vocals. This line-up later disbanded, with Victor joining Danzig as their guitar player, and Ted Parsons joining Godflesh. Parsons also played with Jesu and toured with Paul Raven in Killing Joke.

Interim (2002–2006)

In 2002, Victor reformed Prong with bassist Brian Perry (Dirty Looks, Jake E. Lee), drummer Dan Laudo and guitarist Monte Pittman (Madonna). In 2002, after a 42-date American tour that was recorded for a live CD (100% Live, Locomotive Music) Prong entered the studio and recorded their first studio album in seven years, Scorpio Rising×Scorpio Rising20 June 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Detached3:242All Knowing Force2:403Embrace the Depth4:024Reactive Mind2:215Regal2:426Inner Truth2:457Avoid Promises3:148Siriusly Emerging3:429Assurances3:2010Out of This Realm3:1011Letter to a "Friend"4:5812Entrance of the Eclipse4:1013RedMartial Working3:4514Hidden Agenda4:38 (2003), which was received with mixed responses.
Victor played on and off again with Glenn Danzig from 1998 to 2005 in between time with Prong. His final goal of playing and writing on a Danzig record was met with Circle of Snakes in 2004.
Prong released a live two-disc DVD in 2005 entitled The Vault which features performances from the Hulstsfred and With Full Force festivals and a full show in Amsterdam. This disc has Brian Perry and Mike Longworth on bass as Longworth replaced Perry after his departure in 2003. Dan Laudo left the band in 2005 and the band enlisted Aaron Rossi, who used to be in the bands Strife (Victory Records), Shelter (Century Media Records), John 5 (Shrapnel Records), and Ankla (Bieler Bros. Records)
Victor and Rossi joined Ministry in 2005 to write and tour in support of their 2006 album Rio Grande Blood. The two also appear on Ministry's follow-up album The Last Sucker (2007), although in a more limited capacity.

Reformation (2007–present)

In 2007, Prong signed to Al Jourgensen's 13th Planet Records, who released Power of the Damager on October 2, 2007. The band embarked on the "Slicing Across America" and "Slicing Across Europe" tours supporting the album in 2007 and early 2008. Joining Tommy Victor for the tour were Monte Pittman and drummer Aaron Rossi; bassist Paul Raven had died of a heart attack in his sleep on October 20, 2007, at the age of 46.
Rossi joined Ministry as their new drummer on the "C U LaTour" which started in March 2008.
Alexei Rodriguez and Tony Campos from Static-X were on the lineup with Tommy supporting Soulfly on the "Blood Fire War Hate" tour in the fall of 2009. They were replaced by Jason Christopher (bass) in 2011 and Art Cruz (drums) in 2012.
The band supported Fear Factory on their tour which ended on June 6, 2010. Prong released a new album, Carved into Stone×Carved Into Stone20 April 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Eternal Heat3:532Keep On Living in Pain3:433Ammunition3:304Revenge...Best Served Cold4:235State of Rebellion3:556Put Myself to Sleep3:467List of Grievances2:548Carved Into Stone5:229Subtract3:5110Path of Least Resistance4:1511Reinvestigate2:50, on April 23, 2012, with Long Branch Records/SPV. It was produced by Steve Evetts. The band toured as a headliner and with acts such as Crowbar in the US, and in May 2012 performed Beg to Differ in its entirety during a two-week tour in Europe.
In the summer of 2013, the band performed an extensive European festival and headline run and also recorded a self-released "Official Bootleg" entitled Unleashed in the West – Live in Berlin via Bandcamp.com.
After spending November and December 2013 in the studio, Prong released their ninth album, Ruining Lives×Ruining Lives28 March 2014 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Turnover3:352The Barriers3:313Windows Shut4:024Remove, Separate Self3:595Ruining Lives4:416Absence of Light3:427The Book of Change3:228Self Will Run Riot3:519Come to Realize3:4910Chamber of Thought3:4411Limitations and Validations3:34, on Steamhammer/SPV in April 2014 and toured extensively in its support. Blabbermouth.net called the album "Tommy Victor's personal liberation." The album was produced by Victor and mixed by Steve Evetts.
The band started a second wave of touring behind Ruining Lives in July 2014, with European festivals and headline shows. They also toured in North America, both as headliners and as support to Overkill, followed by a tour in Europe as main support to Overkill in October and November.
In 2015, the band released the cover album Songs from the Black Hole×Songs From the Black Hole25 March 2015 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Doomsday2:442Vision Thing4:433Goofy's Concern2:434Kids of the Black Hole5:305Bars4:186Seeing Red6:197Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely3:328Give Me the Cure3:089Banned in D.C.2:2110Cortez the Killer6:52, followed a year later by their eleventh studio album X – No Absolutes. Another album, Zero Days×Zero Days28 July 2017 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1However It May End3:362Zero Days3:363Off the Grid3:194Divide and Conquer3:175Forced Into Tolerance3:176Interbeing3:507Blood Out of Stone4:138Operation of the Moral Law3:319The Whispers3:2010Self Righteous Indignation4:1411Rulers of the Collective3:0212Compulsive Future Projection3:1113Wasting of the Dawn4:39, was released in 2017. In 2017, at the beginning of August, they played a concert in Polish Woodstock Festival. Prong's next release was the EP Age of Defiance×Age of Defiance29 November 2019 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Age of Defiance3:142End of Sanity3:083Rude Awakening4:084Another Worldly Device3:315Cut Rate5:24, released on November 29, 2019.
The band's thirteenth studio album, State of Emergency×State of Emergency6 October 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1The Descent3:222State Of Emergency4:143Breaking Point3:304Non-Existence3:275Light Turns Black3:146Who Told Me2:567Obeisance4:258Disconnected4:369Compliant4:1410Back (NYC)3:1711Working Man4:31, was released on October 6, 2023. A live album, Live and Uncleansed×Live and Uncleansed6 March 2026 · Album · LiveSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Revenge… Best Served Cold4:342Inheritance2:093The Descent3:074One Outnumbered4:385No Question4:166Sublime3:557Not of This Earth7:238Home Rule4:039Ultimate Authority3:0910Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck4:2611However It May End4:4712Out of This Misery4:1613Corpus Delecti3:4314Whose Fist Is This Anyway?5:02, was released on March 6, 2026. Their self-titled fourteenth studio album is due for release on November 6, 2026.

Musical style, influences and legacy

Prong has been described as groove metal, industrial metal, and thrash metal, while their early work has been characterized as crossover thrash. Emerging from the New York hardcore scene, they, along with bands such as Pantera, Sepultura and Machine Head, are one of the bands of the groove metal movement of the 1990s. Prong has cited several bands as influences, including Rush, Bad Brains, Killing Joke, Discharge, Celtic Frost, Voivod, Kreator, Destruction, Metallica, Warzone, the Cro-Mags, Die Kreuzen, and the Sisters of Mercy.
They have influenced many notable musicians such as Korn's Jonathan Davis, Demon Hunter's Ryan Clark and Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor, as well as bands such as Pantera and White Zombie.