Prong was founded in 1986 by singer/guitarist Tommy Victor (then a soundman at New York City's renowned CBGB's). With bassist Mike Kirkland (formely of NYHC band Damage and doorman at CBGB’s) and ex-Swans drummer Ted Parsons, Prong released two independent CDs that were noted for their brutal hardcore sound.
Epic Records saw the band's potential and signed them in 1989. Prong's major label debut album Beg to Differ, was released in 1990.
In the following year, Kirkland left the band and was replaced by Ex-Flotsam and Jetsam 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 1994, Troy Gregory was out of the band and was replaced by Paul Raven (bassist) and John Bechdel (keyboard), both from Killing Joke and Murder, Inc. The new line up released Cleansing (Prong’s 5th major release). With a strong industrial sound that still managed to be hard and heavy, Cleansing contained songs that are still considered Prong classics ("Broken Peace" and "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck") and is Prong’s most successful release to date. The videos for these two songs became staples of MTV’s legendary Headbangers Ball.
Prong's sixth album Rude Awakening was released in 1996. The album was not as successful as the last three albums. Shortly thereafter Parsons left the band to join Godflesh. Tommy Victor left New York and moved to Los Angeles. As the band Prong sat idle, Tommy Victor worked with legends of the rock world, including Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, celldweller and Glenn Danzig.
In 2002, Victor re-formed Prong with bassist Brian Perry, drummer Dan Laudo and guitarist Monte Pittman (Madonna). In 2002, after a 42-show American tour that was recorded for a live CD (100% Live, Locomotive Music) Prong entered the studio and recorded a new CD titled Scorpio Rising which was received with mixed responses.
Victor played on and off again with Glen Danzig from 1998 -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 2-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 Mike Longworth on bass as well, who later replaced Perry. As a result of the drum performance on Scorpio Rising , band members Tommy Victor and Monte Pittman decided a change needed to be made. This resulted in the firing of Dan Laudo and the enlistment 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 Raven joined Ministry in 2005 to write and tour in support of their album Rio Grande Blood (2006). They were nominated for a Grammy in 2007 for the song Senior Peligro in the "Best Metal Performance" category. The two also appear on Ministry's follow up album The Last Sucker (2007), although in a more limited capacity.
On June 4th, 2007, Prong posted a MySpace bulletin stating that they were recording in El Paso, Texas. The band left Locomotive Music, and were signed to Al Jourgensen's 13th Planet Records, who released their latest album Power of the Damager on October 2, 2007.
The band embarked on the "Slicing Across America" and "Slicing Across Europe" tours supporting Power of the Damager in 2007 and early 2008. Joining Tommy Victor in the current live membership of the band is bassist Monte Pittman and drummer Aaron Rossi.
Paul Raven died of an apparent heart attack in his sleep on October 20, 2007 at the age of 46. He was recording with French recording artists Treponem Pal on their new album with Ted Parsons at the time of his death.
Aaron Rossi was joining Ministry as their new drummer on the "C U LaTour" which started in March 2008.
In February 2008, Headbanger's Ball premiered the video "Power Of The Damager".
Ammunition
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your fall I aspire
I cannot change your ways
It's pointless, can't you see
You are far from hope
Your end is what I need
Liberation, ammunition
Liability control
It's the blood on your soul
It's nothing to deny
Your passing
Revenge is my style
Defense from my rivals
Already see your fate
I smile at what you see
The powder in my veins
Endless possibility
Liberation, ammunition
Liability control
It's the blood on your soul
It's nothing to deny
Your passing
Got ammunition, you can't survive (no way)
Got ammunition, to end your life
Got ammunition, I have arrived (no way)
Got ammunition, got ammunition
Liberation (no way, no way, no way)
Liberation, ammunition
Liability control
It's the blood on your soul
It's nothing to deny
Your passing
Got the ammunition, got the ammunition
Ammunition, got the ammunition
The lyrics of Prong's song Ammunition evoke a sense of destruction and a desire to eliminate someone who is perceived as a liability. The opening lines "You bleed when I fire, Your fall I aspire" immediately sets a violent tone. The singer is discussing their need for revenge against a rival or someone who has wronged them. They have already visualized and accepted the fate of this person. The singer feels liberated by the thought of achieving this revenge through ammunition. This suggests that for the singer, ammunition is a means of asserting control and mitigating the risk of their rival.
The chorus of the song, "Liberation, ammunition, liability control", is repeated twice, emphasizing the theme of liberation through ammunition. The singer is in control of the situation, both in terms of the bullets they possess and the fate of the person they wish to eliminate. The chorus also highlights the idea that having ammunition provides a feeling of control, allowing the singer to manage their liabilities effectively. The song suggests that ammunition is the solution for the problems the singer faces, and it is justifiable to use any means necessary to eliminate the liability.
Overall, Prong's Ammunition is a song that deals with themes such as control, revenge, and violence. The lyrics suggest that ammunition is a tool for liberation that can provide a sense of control to those possessed it. It is a song that highlights how vengeance can drive a person to extreme measures.
Line by Line Meaning
You bleed when I fire
I cause you pain and you suffer as a result of my actions
Your fall I aspire
I wish for your downfall and destruction
I cannot change your ways
I have given up on trying to reform you because you are set in your ways and resistant to change
It's pointless, can't you see
My efforts to help you are futile because you are incapable of acknowledging the truth and changing your behavior
You are far from hope
You are in a desperate, hopeless situation from which there is little or no chance of escape
Your end is what I need
I desire your death and hope to see you perish
Liberation, ammunition
I seek to liberate myself from the negative influence of a person or situation by acquiring the means to destroy it
Liability control
I am taking charge of the situation by decreasing my liability and increasing my control over the outcome
It's the blood on your soul
Your actions have caused harm and suffering to others, and you are responsible for the consequences
It's nothing to deny
Your guilt and wrongdoing are undeniable and inexcusable
Your passing
Your death is imminent and unavoidable
Revenge is my style
I seek retribution for past wrongs and injuries suffered at the hands of others
Defense from my rivals
I am arming myself in order to protect and defend myself from those who wish me harm
Already see your fate
Your destiny is clear to me and I can already envision your downfall
I smile at what you see
I take pleasure in your misery and the distress you experience
The powder in my veins
The adrenaline and excitement of victory are coursing through my body
Endless possibility
The possibilities for destruction and domination are limitless and exhilarating
Got ammunition, you can't survive (no way)
I possess the means to destroy you and you have no chance of survival
Got ammunition, to end your life
I am armed and ready to take your life and put an end to your existence
Got ammunition, I have arrived (no way)
I am here and fully prepared to carry out my violent intentions
Got ammunition, got ammunition
I have the means to inflict pain, suffering and death
Liberation (no way, no way, no way)
I seek to rid myself of negative influences and oppressive forces through violent means
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Franky De Smet-Van Damme, Michael Doling, Phil Baheux, Thomas Michael Victor, Tino De Martino
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind