A Ripple Field Trip - Prong In San Jose At The Ritz

Tommy Victor is one of those guys who has seen and done it all in the heavy music scene. Whether it be his time running the soundboard at CBGB’s in New York when he was a kid, touring as Danzig’s or Ministry’slead guitarist, or fronting his own groundbreaking crossover metal band Prong, who brought their energetic riff filled mayhem to the Ritz in San Jose on the night of Monday April 2, 2018.
Supporting their latest album “Zero Days” these New York City natives headlined a stacked bill that also featured LA Prog Metal band Sifting, LA hardcore band Cut Throat, as well as a supergroup in the form of the band Powerflo, comprised of members of Biohazard, Downset, Fear Factory and Kyng, fronted by rapper Sen Dog of Cypress Hill. Each brought the goods in their own ways, but the night belonged to Victor and crew, playing to a solid turnout for a Monday night, with the same energy and enthusiasm as if they were playing to a stadium.
Ripping through a career spanning set, Victor and crew played the favorites off classic albums such as Beg to Differ, Prove You Wrong and Cleansing, as well as cuts off the more recent albums such as No Absolutes, Ruining Lives and Zero Days, sending the crowd into a frenzied circle pit at critical points of heavy. Backed by a massive rhythm section in the form of rock solid bassist Jason Christopher and drummer extraordinaire Art Cruz, Victor proved why he’s one of Metal’s most respected guitarists, ripping through solo’s flawlessly, oftentimes while airborne.
Throughout the set Tommy and crew engaged and even joked around with each other and the crowd making it clear they were having a great time, which is a testament to the great songs and songwriting that make up the Prong catalog. Because when songs are still fun to play and hear after 10-20 years, they are timeless and epic. And that’s what this Prong show was.

-ZED Mark