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".
Power of the Damager
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fear the imminent
Barricaded walled
More chastisement
All around I learn
A viscous calling
All about this world
All about my world
What's all this for?
Bound and limited
Disregard my word
Fibs are prominent
What do I stand for?
Amongst corruption
Who controls this world?
Power in the world
Power in the world
Can you feel it?
Anger on the rise
Feel the grip on your throat
Power of the Damager
When your coffin is closed
Honer of the hammer
Power of the Damager
All around this world
Spins total confusion
All our souls are sold
To the Lord of the Decadent
All around you turn
Laughed and smitten
All around the world
All around this world
Can you feel it?
Anger on the rise
Takes control of your soul
Power of the Damager
The way your mouth has been sewn
Got to find a new singer
Can you feel it?
Anger on the rise
Feel the grip on your throat
Power of the Damager
Takes control of your soul
Power of the Damager
The way your mouth has been sewn
Power of the Damager
The way your coffin is closed
Power of the Damager
Power of the Damager
Power of the Damager
The song "Power of the Damager" by Prong appears to be a commentary on the corruption and abuse of power that exists in our society. From the very start of the song, the lyrics describe a world where fear and chastisement are everywhere, and the singer seems to be struggling to understand the reason for all of it. The chorus repeats the phrase "power of the damager" over and over, suggesting that there is some entity or force that is responsible for the world's problems.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more and more angry and frustrated, questioning who controls the world and what their motivations are. The line "all our souls are sold to the Lord of the Decadent" seems to suggest that the singer believes that there is some kind of devil-like figure who is responsible for the world's problems. The final lines of the song, where the singer sings about feeling the grip on their throat and the way their mouth has been sewn shut, suggest a feeling of powerlessness and oppression.
Overall, "Power of the Damager" appears to be a song about the dangers of unchecked power and the need for individuals to stand up against corruption and oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
All around this world
Everywhere I look
Fear the imminent
Anxiety about what's to come
Barricaded walled
Security measures in place
More chastisement
Increased punishment
All around I learn
Observing and gaining knowledge
A viscous calling
A cruel or vicious purpose
All about this world
Everything in this world
All about my world
Everything in my personal sphere
What's all this for?
Questioning the purpose
Bound and limited
Restricted and constrained
Disregard my word
Ignore what I say
Fibs are prominent
Lies are prevalent
What do I stand for?
What is my purpose
Amongst corruption
In the midst of dishonesty
Who controls this world?
Questioning those in power
Power in the world
Powerful forces at play
Can you feel it?
Sensing a strong emotion
Anger on the rise
Increasing anger
Feel the grip on your throat
Feeling suffocated or oppressed
Power of the Damager
The forceful power of destruction or harm
When your coffin is closed
After death
Honer of the hammer
Paying tribute to a powerful force
Spins total confusion
Causing complete chaos
All our souls are sold
We are all compromised
To the Lord of the Decadent
Controlled by the forces of excess
All around you turn
Every direction you look
Laughed and smitten
Mocked and scorned
Takes control of your soul
Exerts dominance over one's being
The way your mouth has been sewn
Being silenced or suppressed
Got to find a new singer
Must find a new voice or leader
Power of the Damager
The forceful power of destruction or harm
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dick Whiskey
Killer album...one of Prong's best! A massive barrage of riffs, lots of grooves and just enough speed.
Roger Webb
I concur! Not just cuz I'm the Damager...🤣 I was flattered when Tommy asked me to do the cover art on this release. Hands down a powerful release for sure. When we promoted it, that 1st show at Narduccis in Bakersfield was epic. Felt like destroying the place!! Vicious and compelling. Top 3 albums by the Prong Boys in my book 🤘🏻 Shred on Prongolian!! 🤘🏻
Spydr
Dick Whiskey
@Roger Webb that's awesome!
Dave Bernal
This album has gotten me through so many hard times in my life. Thank you Prong!!!
Guilherme Garcia
Same
Art Wallace
Prong and Tommy have fueled me thru life in some deep shit. Pinch harmonics and odd diminished chords. Fan since primitive origins. Tommy is like Scott Ian. Never stops amazing me.
Andy Lane
odd, diminished chords - Voivod comes to mind
STATICX1066
AGREED
Rob Ashton
Fucking loved this band since "Beg to Differ". These guys were always more than just a thrash band. Fucking kick ass. Total respect.
CAT 1990
👊