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".
Pure Ether
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the final statement
The one that's always bound
It's all predestined by forces so unknown
Watching your every move behind a curtained wall
At one point I thought I had control
Like an idiot I listened to my thoughts
Superficial things, taken for truths
What's behind it all?
This is it, this is what I've found
This is the final statement
The one that's always bound
What can't I see? Can I believe?
I was brought, brought into it all
Like an idiot I listened to my thoughts
What can't I see? (pure ether)
Can I believe? (guaranteed to blow your mind)
Can I believe? (guaranteed to blow your mind)
Can I believe?
Can I believe?
Can I believe?
Pure ether guaranteed to blow your mind
Pure ether all your deeds controlled up high
All your deeds controlled up high
Channeled by immortal minds
All your deeds controlled up high
Channeled by immortal minds
This is it, this is what I've found
Inferior to the other kind
Break on through the other side
Inferior to the other kind
Break on through the other side
Watching your every move
Forces on the other side
Watching your every move
Forces on the other side
This is it, this is what I've found
The song "Pure Ether" by Prong showcases the feeling of one coming to a realization or epiphany. The opening lines, "This is it, this is what I've found, This is the final statement, The one that's always bound" suggests that the singer has found something that had been eluding them for some time. However, the lines "It's all predestined by forces so unknown, Watching your every move behind a curtained wall" shows that while the singer believes they have found the answer, there is still a feeling of uncertainty as though there are forces beyond their control.
The verses go on to explore the idea of losing control and being caught up in superficial things or "taken for truths". This development of the song's story demonstrates the frustration and confusion that comes with the realization that, despite the perceived control, there are external factors that shape one's life.
The repeated refrains of "Can I believe?" and "Pure Ether guaranteed to blow your mind" further emphasize the singer's struggle to understand the forces that govern their life, alluding to a spiritual or supernatural element that is beyond human comprehension.
Line by Line Meaning
This is it, this is what I've found
The singer believes he has found the ultimate truth.
This is the final statement
He feels that he has made a conclusive discovery.
The one that's always bound
This truth has always existed.
It's all predestined by forces so unknown
The truth is predetermined by unknown forces.
Watching your every move behind a curtained wall
Unknown forces are tracking the singer's every move.
At one point I thought I had control
The singer once believed he had power.
Like an idiot I listened to my thoughts
He realizes that he was foolish to trust his own thoughts.
I got caught, had to lose it all
His beliefs led him to failure and loss.
Superficial things, taken for truths
False beliefs he held to be true.
What's behind it all?
He questions the true motives behind the forces at play.
What can't I see? Can I believe?
The singer is doubtful about what remains unseen.
I was brought, brought into it all
He was brought into this truth.
Pure ether guaranteed to blow your mind
An undeniable truth that will astound the listener.
Pure ether all your deeds controlled up high
The truth dictates all actions.
Channeled by immortal minds
The truth is held by forces beyond mortality.
Inferior to the other kind
The singer feels inferior to the forces working around him.
Break on through the other side
The singer urges the listener to seek the truth.
Forces on the other side
Unknown forces beyond the visible world.
This is it, this is what I've found
The singer reiterates his discovery of the ultimate truth.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
redfly1st
Promg still very strong after all those years, great vocals, guitar riffs! killer...
override83
I love heavy guitar riffs and sheeit. how the hell did i not hear of these guys til now...?!
dkyelak
Unbelieveable tone and pinch harmonics!
dios bananos
@yourthoughtsarewrong well the new Prong, due for release in April/May 2012, is being produced by Steve Evetts, who is a damn good producer, so i can't wait to hear that!
Jairrean Bolan
Metalcore and Post Hardcore
dios bananos
imagine if a major producer worked on this album? the songs are great, but the sound isn't good at all imo. still, any Prong is better than none.
todd Turner
yesssssssss omfg
TEDCARNAGE
2:22 OPEN THIS FUCKING PIT UP!!!!!
Hershizzle
2 october 2007