It has been four, long, rollercoaster years since heavy metal stalwarts Prong released their acclaimed “Age of Defiance” EP, and this fall, they make their eagerly anticipated return with the release of their 13th studio album, “State of Emergency”, out on October 6th, 2023, via Steamhammer / SPV.
Unlike many other contemporary metal bands, Prong are respected for their down-to-earth attitude, hard driving stamina and familial bond with their devoted fans – which they have garnered continuously throughout their 40-year history. “State of Emergency” shines as a triumphant return for the band, as well as a furious tableau of East Coast aggression, clothed in that classic Prong sound that never goes out of style.
The album’s first official single, “Non-Existence”, is a perfect picture of its overall sound. On the track, Prong founder Tommy Victor comments: “‘Non-Existence’, with its techno-style noise guitar that‘s omnipresent on this album, is a bit like my retrospective glance at ‘Rude Awakening’”.
You can watch the lyric video for “Non-Existence” below.
The earned experience of having sat at the forefront of the heavy metal scene in the US and around the world for many decades now has given Tommy and the band the foresight to know what’s ahead, and to and to keep churning out that impeccable recipe of punk, metal, post-punk noise, doom, blues and thrash that makes up Prong’s sound.
Victor outlines the stylistic direction of the eleven songs that make up “State of Emergency”: “It’s a very ‘Prong’ record. I think it’s totally genre-transcending and definitely ignores what’s going on out there these days”.
Commenting on his artistic approach, he says: “I like all kinds of music. This record totally reflects that because it covers lots of different angles. At the same time, ‘State of Emergency’ is very guitar-oriented and a typical example of my style”.
Produced by the skillful hands of legendary producer Steve Evetts (Sepultura, The Dillinger Escape Plan), “State of Emergency” surprises on the post-punk track “Disconnected” and then grooves on the title track. Originally released as a standalone single in early 2023, “Breaking Point” takes no prisoners with honest lyrics and cutting attitude, while hard hitting “The Descent” is a lightning quick, classicripper. “Back (NYC)” has Victor saying: “To me it’s as if Jimmy Page wrote a song playing through Dimebag’s amplifier, with Henry Rollins singing. Kind of a weird experiment for sure”!
The album closes with a cover of “Working Man”, by the legendary Rush: “Rush was the first power trio I ever saw live and I was blown away by them. ‘Working Man’ is so simple and it’s so heavy. I also love the lyrics. I thought it would be great to tune down a bit and slow down, and I think we nailed it”.
“State of Emergency” will be available via Steamhammer / SPV on October 6th, 2023, on CD, LP, stream and for digital download.
Pre-order & pre-save “State of Emergency” here.
Tracklist:
1. The Descent
2. State of Emergency
3. Breaking Point
4. Non-Existence
5. Light Turns Black
6. Who Told Me
7. Obeisance
8. Disconnected
9. Compliant
10. Back (NYC)
11. Working Man (Rush Cover)
“State of Emergency” arrives perfectly in time for Prong’s upcoming headline tour and subsequent November dates with Life Of Agony in Europe.
European Live Shows 2023:
11.08. BE-Kortrijk – Alcatraz Open Air
12.08. DE-Weinheim – Cafe Central
13.08. DE-Cologne – Gebäude 9
15.08. DE-Magdeburg – Factory
16.08. DE-Hannover – Musikzentrum
17.08. DE-Lingen – Alter Schlachthof
18.08. DE-Essen – Turock
19.08. NL-Eindhoven – Dynamo Metal Fest
European Tour Dates 2023:
01.11. DE-Cologne – Carlswerk Victoria
03.11. DK-Copenhagen – Pumpehuset
04.11. SE-Gothenburg – Brewhouse
06.11. NO-Oslo – John Dee
07.11. SE-Stockholm – Slagt Kyrkan
09.11. DE-Leipzig – Täubchenthal
10.11. CZ-Brno – Freda
11.11. SK-Kosice – Colosseum
13.11. AT-Linz – Posthof
14.11. AT-Graz – PPC
15.11. AT-Innsbruck – Olympia World
17.11. BE-Ghent – Vooruit
18.11. NL-Klokgebouw – Helldorado Festival
(w/ Life Of Agony)
Weblinks:
prongmusic.com
www.facebook.com/prongmusic
