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".
Redmartial Working
Prong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Throw out outmoded policies for future clear
Appropriation elemental lines
Communication with the chiefs of might
Brand new fuel no respect for you
Present ritual red martial
Brand new fool no respect for you
Present ritual red martial
Taking new approaches resolution of
Invocation of the power lords
Preparing only for the coming storm
Brand new fuel no respect for you
Present ritual red martial red martial
Brand new fool no respect for you
Present ritual red martial red martial
Present ritual red martial
Clearheaded action with the stratagem
Taking new approaches resolution of
Appropriation elemental lines
Communication with the chiefs of might
Brand new fuel no respect for you
Present ritual red martial present ritual red martial
Present ritual red martial present ritual red martial
Present ritual red martial present ritual red martial
The lyrics to "Red Martial" by Prong speak about a group or individual taking action and preparing for the future by removing anything that may cause discord and implementing new strategies. The song emphasizes the need for clearheadedness and invoking the power of the "power lords" as they anticipate a coming storm.
The use of repetition in the chorus, specifically the line "Brand new fuel no respect for you, present ritual red martial," emphasizes the idea of starting fresh and disregarding anything that has hindered progress in the past. The phrase "red martial" may be interpreted as a call to arms or a nod to martial arts, adding a sense of intensity and determination to the song.
The lyrics could be seen as a commentary on the need for change and innovation in various aspects of life, whether it be in personal relationships, business strategy, or political policy. The importance of being proactive and having a plan of action is emphasized throughout the song, as well as the idea of communicating with those in positions of power to achieve success.
Line by Line Meaning
Remove discordant elements as they appear
Eliminate conflicting and disruptive factors as soon as they arise
Throw out outmoded policies for future clear
Discard outdated strategies to achieve a clearer future
Appropriation elemental lines
Seize essential resources and assets
Communication with the chiefs of might
Establish dialogue with the most powerful and influential figures
Brand new fuel no respect for you
New energy and motivation that disregards previous limitations
Present ritual red martial
Performing a current, ceremonial, and fierce martial art
Brand new fool no respect for you
A new and daring approach that disregards traditional wisdom
Clearheaded action with the stratagem
Employing sharp and calculated moves with a well-thought-out plan
Taking new approaches resolution of
Finding solutions by exploring innovative options
Invocation of the power lords
Summoning authoritative and influential figures
Preparing only for the coming storm
Getting ready for an impending challenge or difficulty
Present ritual red martial red martial
Performing and engaging in the present, ceremonial, and fierce martial art
Present ritual red martial present ritual red martial
Performing and engaging in the present, ceremonial, and fierce martial art
Present ritual red martial present ritual red martial
Performing and engaging in the present, ceremonial, and fierce martial art
Appropriation elemental lines
Seize essential resources and assets
Communication with the chiefs of might
Establish dialogue with the most powerful and influential figures
Brand new fuel no respect for you
New energy and motivation that disregards previous limitations
Present ritual red martial present ritual red martial
Performing and engaging in the present, ceremonial, and fierce martial art
Brand new fool no respect for you
A new and daring approach that disregards traditional wisdom
Clearheaded action with the stratagem
Employing sharp and calculated moves with a well-thought-out plan
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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