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Combining the musicianship of metal with the attitude of punk has been the calling card of New York’s prominent power trio Prong since the late ‘80s. Coming off their latest album Ruining Lives, which was released just last year, they are already back with an album of covers, Songs From the Black Hole.

Not surprisingly, the tracks are punk and hardcore, as there aren’t any metal bands on the compilation.


This works to the band’s overall strength as the energy and exuberance heard recollects back to the bands origin. Front man Tommy Victor carefully selected the songs thahttp://heavymetal.D106/od/interviews/p/Dan-Drago.htmt deal with hopelessness, abandonment and desolation and his vocals take on that sentiment exquisitely.

Releasing classic albums like Beg to Differ, Cleansing and Prove You Wrong, Prong have cemented their legendary status with their blend of metal, adding industrial, hardcore and punk. They are a revolutionary band that has become incredibly influential. Now we get a peek behind the curtain and see what bands had a similar impact and inspiration on them.

They tackle straight up punk with Discharge’s “Doomsday,” Adolescents’ “Kids of the Black Hole,” Black Flag’s “The Bars” and Bad Brain’s “Banned in D.C.” The energy and intensity brings Prong back to their very early roots as they sound incredibly comfortable. When they ratchet up the energy and aggression it works to their advantage and that has been true throughout their career.

Sisters of Mercy’s “Vision Thing” is a gothic rock classic and is performed with an added snarl as Victor’s vocal brings depth and energy. It’s an incredible driving song that fits perfectly into Prong’s wheelhouse. Sisters of Mercy are an incredibly influential band and it is great to see Prong choosing such an iconic standard.

Killing Joke’s “Seeing Red” and Fugazi’s “Give Me the Cure” are the only missteps. The former has a length of over six minutes and overstays its welcome becoming repetitive in the process, which slows the flow of the album. Husker Du’s “Don’t Want to Know if You Are Lonely” and Neil Young’s “Cortez the Killer” add an element of melody and emotion. Both help give the album an added diversity and shows off Victor’s multifaceted vocals.

Coming off of their successful Ruining Lives release it is great to see Prong back in their element and paying homage to the diverse bands that influenced them throughout their storied career. Songs from the Black Hole finds the band letting loose and having some fun. When they turn up the intensity is when they are clearly at their best. Let’s hope that translates into the songwriting on their next full-length release.

(released March 31st, 2015 on eOne Music/SPV Records)