Paul Raven R.I.P. 1/16/61-10/20/07
If you felt burned by 2003's Scorpio Rising, fear not. Even
front Prong-man Tommy Victor admits that album should
never have been called Prong. Power Of The Damager is gritty,
dirty and relentless. Since the last release, Tommy's been shredding
it up with Ministry and Danzig. Now he returns to no-nonsense
fast and heavy ripping ably assisted by session bassist Monte Pittman,
whose credits include many famous people you don't care about. You
will care that drummer Aaron Rossi dances on the bass drum
pedals like Shiva and comes to us by way of Strife and (most
importantly) Shelter.
The intriguing "Looking for Them" comes in with slightly
Eastern guitar, then jumps into classic Prong chug and growl. It's
a catchy ambush sort of song, professing "They have no idea that
we are looking for them." "Can't Stop the Bleeding"
has moments of tender singing reminiscent of Suicidal Tendencies'
Mike Muir. The strongest track "Banishment" has a
Killing Joke vibe (surprise!). Victor pulls his vocals up at
the end of the phrase, and then falls into the demon gurgling. The
intro to "Spirit Guide" is a dark thing of beauty itself,
welcoming you into the syncopated beat and swirled guitar. Old school
hardcore closes out on the bulkily titled "Changing Ending Troubling
Times."
The Power Of The Damager is that it holds its own with Prong's
finest.
-Ewan Wadharmi
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