Prong - Interviews - Metal1.info

Deutsche Version lesen With „State Of Emergency“ Tommy Victor and PRONG are back after a surprisingly long break of six years. In the interview, the mastermind talks about how his move to New York influenced the album, where he sees the decisive problem in U.S. politics – and why he still doesn’t want the album to be understood as exclusively negative.

In our last interview (in January at Backstage Munich) you reported that you moved back to New York – I assume „Back (NYC)“ is about that. Is that true, and to what extent did this move still influence the new PRONG album?
I thought it would be a good idea to do all the writing after I moved back to New York and I was right. Being close to where it all started had an effect on me. I was good being in an apartment with gray crappy weather working on riffs. The song is about that, the seasonal weather and the more blue collar working guy ethic of NY.

We had to wait six years for this album – very unusual after you released an incredible five albums between 2012 and 2017. Even if you take out the pandemic – you mentioned in our last conversation that you didn’t make any music during that time – that’s still significantly longer than usual. What was the reason? Did you struggle to get back into the rhythm of making an album?
My wife and I were expecting a child, so a lot went into preparing for that. Then, after our son was born, I became a stay at home dad while my wife went back to work. The pandemic did have an effect on my willingness to go back to PRONG . It wasn’t until we got offered and did a Black Label Society tour where I felt like my career was not over. It went really well. I still didn’t have a record deal though , and I wasn’t into going around searching for one. SPV called to renew, so we worked out a deal. Then we waited to start until I moved back. It took a while to get settled after a cross country move (which was a project in itself as well).

When did you start writing music again and how did the album creation process go?
I started in June 2022 and finished writing at the end of July. It went fast. I did a demo and then we started pre pro in September. It was all very smooth. It was a lotta work. But since I did all the writing myself I felt it was easier and quicker.

According to the booklet, the bass was played by Steve Evetts. Is Jason Christopher out?
No Jason is busy with a lot of other stuff . He hasn’t t played on a PRONG record since „No Absolutes“.

So it has nothing to do with the fact that he was fired from Corey Taylor/CMFT and the social-media-debate afterwards?
Again, it’s a scheduling issue for the most part.

On „The Descent“ Marc Rizzo plays the lead guitar – how did that come about? Do you know each other for a long time and when/how did the idea for this concrete collaboration come up?
PRONG toured with Soulfly a ways back and I was completely blown away by his talent. He’s definitely one of the best players out there. So I asked him to do a solo and he did it in like two takes and split.

The lyrics seem very gloomy to dystopian. Again and again it shines through that „they“ want to forbid us everything. Who are these „they“? Is it about politicians, other people from society or who else?
Not all the lyrics are gloomy and dystopian. Some stuff like „Obeisance“ is more spiritual in nature. It’s kind of about following God. But some people won’t see it that way. „Light Turns Black” is as bout self destruction, addiction. „Back (NYC) “ I sort of discussed. “Non-Existence” is very positive. It celebrates life and struggles and accomplishments. I think you’re putting your own take on the lyrics, which is fine. All rock music cries out against a „they” of sorts.

What brought you to this worldview, what influenced or shaped you for these lyrics?
Like I said there’s a variety of views on the record. The main „State Of Emergency“ vibe is a questioning of social media, big tech, and the legacy media propaganda machine. Some of the lyrics on this record are similar to the „Beg To Differ“ and „Cleansing“ albums. A lot of it is just general „being pissed off“-lyrics.

To me, the vague „they take away our freedom“ also sounds dangerous because it underpins narratives that are often used by right-wingers, discrediting everyone and saying „they“ (the press) only tell fake news, „they“ (the politicians) all only want the worst, „they“ (the left) only want cancel culture and to take away our lifestyle. Don’t you see the danger of being misunderstood here?
I dont see any danger other than my bank account and my family’s security threatened. A lot comedians and a lot of liberal commentators like Bill Maher are annoyed by a lot of what’s going on. I dont think it’s a polarizing thing. I’ve personally never been a pro government guy, that’s nothing new. Maybe not in Germany but there’s a lot of corruption over here. A lot of these guys are living like kings, they get their money somewhere. Another thing we pay more per child for education than any other country but the school system is a failure. Germany gets what they pay for more.

Also the coverartwork looks very gloomy and not encouraging (but very cool!). What is your
interpretation of the blind man turning away from the obviously hypnotic dystopian broadcast on TV?
He’s not blind he’s just blindfolded. It’s an „idiocracy meets George Orwell“-vibe. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the author and „1984“. It’s all coming to tuition now.

A lot is coming together in the world right now, here in Europe we have war in Ukraine next door, in your country a very old man is going to run against a very stupid man for the most powerful office in the world – and then there are issues like the climate crisis on top of that. How do you see the future?
I haven’t a clue. I wish I did.

But, as you told us before, you have become a father. How can you encourage a child in this world?
Well if you look at “Obeisance“ you’ll get my answer. It’s not unlike “Age Of Defiance” . It’s a time to get spiritual. Stop seeking pleasure all the time and get closer to reality.

Thank you for your time and your responses – finally, our traditional brainstorming session:
The next U.S. president: Don’t know
The best thing about New York: Unity in diversity
War in Ukraine: Terrible and mind boggling
The worst thing about New York: –
Your tip for the 2024 Superbowl: Too early to say securely. If I had to I’d say 49ers.
PRONG in 10 years: –