PRONG
After a number of years, and many failed attempts at remixing metal tunes by bolting a four-to-the-floor beat to the chugging guitars, have we not learned that, with the possible exception of NIN's 'Further Down the Spiral', remix albums DO NOT WORK. They are a near-worthwhile curiosity if found on the b-side of a CD single, but an entire album dedicated to Frankenstein's stitched together corpse of my favourite things makes me piss blood. Remixes do nothing but strip the soul and energy out of a song and render it mechanical and lifeless. I'm not saying that dance music is bereft of soul; listen to Laurent Garnier, and you'll realise that it can be very impassioned and intelligent. But, remixes aren't structured that way; they're the 'Max Power' body-kit that serves only to ruin the natural lines of the original design. So, does Prong's latest cash-magnet release change this opinion? Sadly not. It's not without its merits though. Opener 'Worst of It' (remixed by JS Clayden of PitchShifter fame) is actually nicely engaging, and not too heavy on the electro. Track three 'The Banishment' (ably handled by über-producer and Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano) swings with the dreaded 1-2-3-4 beat, but retains the original song's melody and mood. The rest of the songs here though fall into the usual traps, and remain as failures. As a success then, it is equal to Fear Factory's 'Remanufacture', in that it made me appreciate the original album more.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
13th Planet
Album
POWER OF THE DAMN MIXXXER
Review by Steve Cowan
RUNNING TIME:
58:39
RELEASE DATE:
12th May 2009
TRACK LISTING
1) Worst of It (Worst of the Worst Mix)
2) Can't Stop the Bleeding (SMack! Mix)
3) The Banishment (Wolfzilla & The Angry Moon Mix)
4) Power of the Damager (Fabrication Mix)
5) 3rd Option (Naked in the Cadilac Mix)
6) Pure Ether ( Big Riddim Mix)
7) Message Inside of Me (Chicxulub Impactor Mix)
8) No Justice; 9) Looking for Them
10) Spirit Guide (Reality's Edge Mix)
11) Changing Ending Troubling Times (Abandoned Structures Mix); 12) The Banishment (Bitter Harvest Mix)
13) Bad Fall (Smile on Your Face Mix)
2) Can't Stop the Bleeding (SMack! Mix)
3) The Banishment (Wolfzilla & The Angry Moon Mix)
4) Power of the Damager (Fabrication Mix)
5) 3rd Option (Naked in the Cadilac Mix)
6) Pure Ether ( Big Riddim Mix)
7) Message Inside of Me (Chicxulub Impactor Mix)
8) No Justice; 9) Looking for Them
10) Spirit Guide (Reality's Edge Mix)
11) Changing Ending Troubling Times (Abandoned Structures Mix); 12) The Banishment (Bitter Harvest Mix)
13) Bad Fall (Smile on Your Face Mix)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
USA
"As a success...it is equal to Fear Factory's 'Remanufacture', in that it made me appreciate the original album more."