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THE REVIEW
IMPOSSIBLE.
It is indeed impossible that a review of “Rude Awakening” by Prong is missing. So, I will take care of it. Ok, let's start with a bit of history, I know some people don’t like history, which is boring, but it’s necessary, otherwise one might wonder: “Who the heck are these Prong?” Prong is an industrial metal band formed in 1986 in New York, founded by Tommy Victor (guitar, vocals) and Ted Parsons (drums). There wasn’t a true permanent bassist in the band.
Their original sound, composed of a beautiful groove, led them to be considered the heirs of Killing Joke. After five albums, they confirmed these considerations by recording what would be recognized as the band's masterpiece and a metal masterpiece, "Rude Awakening" indeed. In this work and the previous one, they collaborated with ex-Killing Joke bassist Paul Raven.
"Rude Awakening" is a concentration of pure anger, alienation, inexhaustible energy, and a strong nihilism inferior (if not equal) only to those of the “fathers” of industrial Swans. In its grooves, you can already hear the sound that will characterize the so-called “Nu-Metal,” a term I really don’t like, just like the music. However, this album might not be appealing to the purists of METAL (sacred name) precisely for the merits I extolled, which are not present in other metal masterpieces. Let's move on to the tracks that compose it, the album starts off strong with “Controller,” which makes it clear what it’s made of; it then continues with “Caprice,” whose introduction features beautiful keyboards, perfectly controlled, never overpowering the other instruments, by the talented Charlie Clouser, just like in “Close the Door,” a standout track of the entire album along with the title–track, “Dark Signs,” with its heavy groove, the stunning and furious “Slicing,” and with the true gem, “Innocence Gone,” the summary of Prong's entire career, the ultimate example of post–rock, in which Victor's singing becomes more nihilistic than ever.
In short, an unmissable record, one of the most innovative works of the 90s and industrial metal.
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Summary by Bot
This review highlights Prong's album Rude Awakening as a seminal industrial metal record of the 1990s. The reviewer praises its unique blend of anger, energy, and nihilism, emphasizing its influence on later genres like Nu-Metal. Key tracks like 'Controller', 'Innocence Gone', and contributions by Charlie Clouser are noted. The album is considered innovative, though it may not appeal to metal purists.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Prong
Prong is an American metal band formed in New York City in 1986 by guitarist/vocalist Tommy Victor with bassist Mike Kirkland and drummer Ted Parsons. Blending thrash, hardcore, groove and industrial elements, they influenced 1990s alternative and industrial metal. After a 1997–2002 hiatus, Victor revived the band and continues to lead it.07 Reviews
