Power of the Damager

ignore what the other reviewers say, this album is truly classic Prong, its always worth the wait for new Prong product and this album is a fresh , modern sounding lp but with all of the trademark Prong touches. Plus Tommy has finally found a drummer that can complement his ideas and vision, if you wanna hear a great band that have never comprimised their sound OR SOLD OUT then buy this lp, listen carefully and revel in the fact that Prong are here for you and only for you.

This needs a lot of volume and the reward will become clear,.....

I remember buying Prong's Force Fed album mainly based on the fact that their drummer was also the drummer from Swans at the time,and I wasn't dissapointed.It sounded like a cross of Slayer,ny hardcore,Swans,Killing Joke and Chrome.I had never actually listened to Slayer (not being a thrash fan) or Chrome (never heard of em') or ny hardcore (didn't care for it then and still don't) in 1987.It was probably the first thrash or proper 'metal' record I ever bought! They released several important albums along the way,Beg to Differ,Prove You Wrong,Cleansing and Rude Awakening,all four pushing and pummeling their metal into strange new shapes and textures,and quietly influencing many along the way. Now we have power of the damager,which in my opinion would give Beavis and Butthead something to get excited about,in whichever cartoon limbo they currently reside.The sound is crisp and precise and the crunch is present and correct and the rhythms just lock like a swiss watch. What's more after once boasting Raven from killing Joke on bass they now have one of Madonna's guitarists on bass(completely true),which just makes it better!

This just was not advertised well enough but it really is a truly stunning full on thrash metal modern huge stomping metal beast, right next to recent Mastodon, Machine head and Metallica. HUGE! Check their back catalogue too. Legends.

'Power of the damager is the most aggressive record of Prong's career.' With praise this good, from Al Jourgensen (ministry frontman) you have to take note. 'One more fix' of riffs, let the shredding begin. Since Prong's last album and another 4 year wait, Tommy Victor (Prong Frontman)contributed his scarified riffs to the last 2 Minsitry records, so the signs were good, however i am left feeling a little ambivalent. Yes it is crammed full of bone crushing riffs, Dimebag Darrell(RIP)would be proud. It somehow lacks the intensity of landmark albums such as the Excellent 'Cleansing'. The combination of tracks just don't feel right, the album hits you like a counter punch to the head, your salivating like a dog, yet the consistency just isn't there and the album begins to struggle. Why? Prong have an uneviable task of matching each gargantuan riff with another and it is because of their own immense standards, that'Power of the Damager' fails to be completely 'Victor-ious'. Prong fans, proceed with caution. New fans, Check out 'Cleansing.' This is what Tommy Victor and Prong are truly capable of .

nice album great guitar sounds

I have to say..this album is the nuts!!! I got it about 2 months ago, really excited about it after hearing it was a more aggressive return to the earlier days of Beg to Differ and Prove you Wrong. I missed out on Scorpio Rising and to this day still dont know if I'm missing anything, having said that I saw them at Brixton Academy in 90, so that makes me pretty much an official fan..lost my t shirt though! Anyway, back to Tommy Victor and co., another line up, but what a sound..okay, I'll admit the bass is a little lost in the production, but the drums and Tommys trademark chunky riffs make up for it! With every precision shred, theres an amazing drum fill, and the songs themselves are packed full if originality, which made them great at their peak. It does remind me of The Cleansing in places, especially ' The Banishment', but this is all a good thing..no power is lost, no viceral aggressiveness has gone..Tommy still shouts it like he means it, and this, to me, is the most important thing about this new landmark era for Prong..they might not have evolved a great deal..but they have more energy in one song than most dying thrash bands have left in one album..you know who you are..lol!! This is as good as a place to start with Prong as any album, and in years to come will be essential listening...3 guys, one mighty noise..a lot of bands could take a leaf out of this bands career. 20 years and they still sound as relevant as Beg to Differ did. Long may the Prongs Power continue to damage me..

That's right, Prong don't let you down. Their first release since Scorpio Rising and it's more business as usual. For me Prong always had a completely different sound to any other band. Scorpio Rising lost some of their earlier groove and instant riffs and replaced them with increased power and beligerence. Not a bad thing but it took a few more plays than previous releases to get the nuances of the songs. Once they were in your brain they stayed like all the others. POTD takes up where Scorpio finished but adds more thrashy elements too. The reason it's only four stars is because the production is the poorest on any Prong album so far. Rude Awakening remains the only CD on my i-pod that I HAVE to turn down its crystal clarity is so vicious. Also very strange here seeing as how Al Jourgenson was at the production helm and the Ministry sound is s**t hot. Here the production is a bit hit and miss and 'muddy' at times, particularly the snare drum. Don't get me wrong it's still not as bad as Lars banging on a Peak Fean biscuit tin on St Anger; it just detracts a bit. If you're a Prong fan then you won't be disappointed. Personal faves are No Justice and Spirit Guide. Enjoy