Prong

at The Middle East
by Joe Hacking

Even without the extra metaphysical induction of a full moon, Prong puts on one of the most intense live shows available to the metal fan. Driving this intensity is vocalist/guitarist Tommy Victor, pound for pound the angriest man in the industry. Looking like Charles Manson’s runty kid brother, Victor led his bandmates through a brutally savage, moon-charged set.

Drummer Ted Parsons (who hails from the Boston area) set the grueling pace for Prong’s show as he expertly bashed his kit into “Cut Rate” from their newest disc, Cleansing (Epic). Due either to the wild lunar energy in the room distracting the band, or just the lack of concentration, Prong got off to a slow start. But as the set progressed, they mastered the room’s energy and plugged it into their performance.

“Let’s celebrate our differences!” bellowed Victor as the band broke into the opening chords of “Beg to Differ.” “We’re merging, it’s not working out.” As if in reply, the crowd began to move violently about within the sea of moon-energy. By the time the band broke into “Prove You Wrong,” the pit was spinning like a tornado, and the band was finding its groove.

“For those about to rave, we will destroy you! Come down! Do the hustle!” roared Victor as sampler/keyboardist John Bechdel began the disco loop for “Whose Fist Is This Anyway?” It was here, driven by Parson’s relentless hammerings and Paul Raven’s watery-deep bass that Prong finally locked in, becoming the savagely tight unit that has gained them such notoriety. Though the band has lost some of their raw edge with the addiction of the sampler, their precision has been enhanced. Parsons feeds off the programmed tracks and Victor has more opportunities for his stringed and vocal catharsis. They carried this unique organic/industrial power on through the remainder of the show, peaking during “Snap You Fingers, Snap Your Neck,” Ted Nugent’s “Stranglehold,” and “Unconditional.” A battle broke out in the pit, and fists and bodies were flying. Victor let his guitar feedback during the exchange, providing a soundtrack for the mindless, lunar violence. “Why don’t you take that over to the Rat?” he sneered.

At this point, bodies were littering the floor and an acid silence hung over the room. It seemed as if the party was over, that the full moon had won. But Victor quietly called for his guitar and Prong launched into “Test,” bringing this evening of lunacy to an end.