Ruining Lives
Prong · 2014
45 min · 12 tracks · thrash metal
A relentless barrage of aggressive riffs and industrial grooves that confront the chaos of modern life.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ruining Lives — The title track encapsulates the album's overarching themes of despair and frustration, driven by a punishing rhythm section that reflects the chaotic nature of contemporary existence.
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The Barriers — This track stands out with its dynamic shifts between aggressive verses and melodic choruses, showcasing Prong's ability to balance intensity with accessibility.
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Absence of Light — With haunting lyrics that delve into existential themes, this song exemplifies the darker undertones present throughout the album while maintaining an infectious groove.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive riffs with industrial elements, showcasing strong songwriting and production quality.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a high-energy tone, maintaining aggressive tempos through the first half.
- Several tracks feature alternating clean and harsh vocals, creating dynamic contrasts within the songs.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, providing a stark contrast to the earlier intensity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo energy
- introspective lyrics for reflection
- relentless heavy riffs
- focused listening experience
- dynamic vocal delivery
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- prefer standalone, varied singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows Prong reaffirming their relevance with a return to heavier sound.
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2014, Ruining Lives is Prong's seventh studio album, arriving after their 2012 effort, Carved Into Stone. At this point in their career, the band was reaffirming their relevance in the metal scene while exploring themes of disillusionment and societal decay. The album showcases their established blend of groove and industrial metal as they navigate through a transformative phase of their long-standing career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ministry· Fear Factory· Sepultura
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Turnover 3:35
- 2 The Barriers 3:31
- 3 Windows Shut 4:02
- 4 Remove, Separate Self 3:58
- 5 Ruining Lives 4:41
- 6 Absence of Light 3:42
- 7 The Book of Change 3:22
- 8 Self Will Run Riot 3:51
- 9 Come to Realize 3:48
- 10 Chamber of Thought 3:44
- 11 Limitations and Validations 3:35
- 12 Retreat 4:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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