Pro-Pain Albums (13)
'Age of Tyranny: The Tenth Crusade'
Release Date 4/2/2007
Tracks 11
Label AFM
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
George W. Bush may very well go down in history as one of the worst presidents in the history of the United States, but from an artistic/creative perspective, the Bush Administration turned out to be great for Pro-Pain. That is not to say that Pro-Pain's members are Bush supporters; to say that they absolutely loathe his policies would be an understatement. But the point is that Pro-Pain's music thrives on anger -- burning, seething anger -- and the George W. Bush era gave them a lot to be angry about. 2005's Prophets of Doom was full of blistering anti-Bush rants, which are also easy to find on the equally inspired and equally political Age of Tyranny: The Tenth Crusade. There are some politically minded artists who make their points in a subtle or even subliminal fashion, perhaps using double-entendres and forcing listeners to read between the lines. But there is nothing subtle about inflammatory tracks like "All for King George," "Iraqnam" and "Impeach, Indict, Imprison"; Pro-Pain leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to lambasting neocons or criticizing the Bush Administration's disastrous bungling in Iraq. Of course, having political opinions doesn't mean much if one's music isn't good; the best political songs, whether they came from Public Enemy, Bob Dylan and the Sex Pistols on the left or Merle Haggard on the right, are musically solid regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with the artist's politics -- and one doesn't have to be in total agreement with Pro-Pain in order to appreciate Age of Tyranny on a musical level. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Pro-Pain's views, Age of Tyranny is an engaging and very focused addition to the catalog of these alternative metal/hardcore fire brands. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Best of Pro-Pain, Vol. 2'
Release Date 5/23/2005
Tracks 16
Label Cadiz
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Pro-Pain was always a loud, intense, forceful, in your face sort of band, and as the '90s progressed, they became increasingly brutal -- they went from being hard-hitting in the early '90s to downright ferocious by the late '90s. And on 2005's Prophets of Doom, the New York City residents maintain their "take no prisoners" policy. Marking the band's 15th anniversary, this CD breaks no new ground for Pro-Pain; there are no substantial differences between Prophets of Doom and albums that Pro-Pain provided in the late '90s and early 2000s. But that isn't to say that their skull-crushing alternative metal/hardcore assault is becoming stale -- far from it. Pro-Pain sounds vital and inspired throughout this album, and one of the main things that inspires them is politics. A highly political effort, Prophets of Doom is as blistering lyrically as it is musically -- and scorching tracks like "Days of Shame," "Hate Marches On," "Death Toll Rises" and "Neocon" make it crystal clear that Pro-Pain's members are not the least bit happy with the policies of President George W. Bush and his administration. "Operation Blood for Oil" attacks U.S. foreign policy in Iraq, while "UnAmerican" is a commentary on what Pro-Pain sees as a Joseph McCarthy-ish intolerance of political dissent during the Bush era. Actually, the album could have easily been called "Prophets of Rage" (to borrow an old Public Enemy song title) because rage is exactly what Pro-Pain expresses on these politically charged songs. Prophets of Doom is unlikely to convert anyone who isn't already a Pro-Pain enthusiast, but their hardcore followers will be glad to know that the alt metal/hardcore agitators still have a lot on their minds after 15 years in the mosh pit. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In the alternative metal and hardcore fields, bands come and go. Keeping a band together can be an uphill climb -- the music industry isn't for the faint of heart -- and it isn't uncommon for alt metal and hardcore combos to break up after only one or two albums. But Pro-Pain has been impressively durable. 2004 marked the band's 12th anniversary, and Pro-Pain celebrates that anniversary with the uncompromising Fistful of Hate. Anyone who expects the New Yorkers to soften their blows will be disappointed; with Fistful of Hate, they offer another dose of harsh, angry, pummeling alt metal/hardcore venom. This 2004 release doesn't point Pro-Pain in any new directions, and the disc is unlikely to win over anyone who isn't already a fan of their hammer-to-the-skull approach. But in terms of being focused and inspired, Fistful of Hate is a winner -- and it certainly won't make diehard followers think any less of them. So why does Pro-Pain's small but enthusiastic cult following continue to hold them in such high regard? The bottom line is that Pro-Pain is superior to a lot of the competition. There is no shortage of headbangers putting out this type of mosh music in the 21st century, but Fistful of Hate underscores the fact that Pro-Pain's seemingly tireless members are doing it with much more feeling and conviction -- their hooks are sharper, their writing is crisper, their lyrics are more memorable. That said, Fistful of Hate falls short of essential; for someone who already has several Pro-Pain CD's in his/her collection, owning this one isn't absolutely necessary. But again, Pro-Pain's admirers are an enthusiastic bunch, and they will find that Fistful of Hate -- although not quite essential -- is certainly a solid and heartfelt addition to their catalog. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
It's hard to find fault with New York's Pro-Pain -- they just do their thing. Love 'em or hate 'em, the band has managed to carve a solid career niche for themselves, built upon a reliable mix of post-thrash precision, and the NYC hardcore code of ethics. Rarely groundbreaking, and even less commercially viable but steady as they come, Pro-Pain nevertheless give their small but committed following what they want, and with 2003's Run for Cover, they give themselves what they want, by covering a slew of classic tunes from their favorite bands. These influences include uber-metallic bands like Celtic Frost, Sepultura, and Slayer, punk and hardcore heroes like Black Flag, Operation Ivy, and The Crumbsuckers, as well as favorites of both camps such as Motörhead, Discharge, and Agnostic Front. Within a set of musical styles so rarely given to just having a little fun, this release is a nice aside. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
'Shreds of Dignity'
Release Date 1/1/2002
Tracks 12
Label Nuclear Blast
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This disc finds the New York stalwarts making a slight return to the band's roots, melded with ideas of the nu-metal crowd. The seamless effect goes to show that Pro-Pain's early metalcore moments helped set a blueprint for the commercially acceptable fare nearly a decade later; however, both then and now, the group has always been more unabashedly metal. "No Way Out" stands out as being essentially a straightforward thrash number, led with a riff right out of 1985 and Gary Meskil's trademark Lemmy-gargling-with-battery-acid screams, and the title track might be the best song the band has penned, a pogo-stick-in-your-face guitar that alternates between fast and faster. Seven albums down the line, most artists are still hoping to be relevant. Pro-Pain goes beyond such meager ambitions with Shreds of Dignity, and teaches the young whippersnappers a thing or two in the process. ~ Brian O'Neill, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
One of the most intense hardcore-metal bands of the '90s was undoubtedly Pro-Pain -- a group that has ignited many a brutal mosh pit during its tenure. As a result, a live album seemed to be a fine fit. However, the group did not get around to issuing a live set until nearly a decade after its debut release (1992's metal cult classic Foul Taste of Freedom). But when 2001's Road Rage arrived, boy, did it ever pack a Mr. T-esque wallop. The 17-track album includes highlights from throughout Pro-Pain's career, including such scream-til-the-veins-on-your-neck-explode anthems as "Foul Taste of Freedom," "Iraqnophobia," "Stand Tall," and a song that Celine Dion should really consider covering someday, "The Stench of Piss." It may have taken a long time to rear its head, but Road Rage lives up to the explosive live shows Pro-Pain have put on for years. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Pro-Pain's particular brand of muscular, mechanic metal with just the slightest thrash and hardcore leanings comes off just a bit marginal on this aptly-titled sixth release. After listening to Gary Meskil's grinding, incessant, and just plain harsh vocals for any period of time, just about anyone would crave something even vaguely melodic, but when Pro-Pain tries to reach for something memorable, as in the alt-rock chorus of "Substance" (the record's first single) things feel horribly mismatched. Meskil and company just don't have what it takes to move beyond the already-established mid-tempo thump they established repeatedly over the eight previous years and five previous albums. There are of course a few metallic gems on the 2000 Spitfire Records release, like the punishing "Status Quo" and the uniquely catchy "Take It Personal." These solid entries make up for the brief incongruent moments, making Round Six worthy of recommendation for fans of the genre and the band only. ~ Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Pro-Pain has released some of the most crushing hardcore-metal the '90s has had to offer, and their fifth album overall (and first for the Nuclear Blast label) shows that the band continues to push the envelope of this heavy style. Act of God is the first release to feature new members Eric Klinger (guitars) and Eric Matthews (drums), and the first to be released after the group's relocation from New York City to Sarasota, FL. Bassist Gary Meskil's brash vocals and Tom Klimchuck's densely grating guitar riffs still serve as the basis for the band's attack, while the two new members turn out to be Pro-Pain naturals. Produced entirely by the band, Act of God will keep the band's devoted following happy with such heavy hitters as the lead-off "Stand Tall," the title track, "I Remain," "Pride" and "Burn." The group slows the tempo a notch or two on "Time Will Tell," "All Fall Down," and "F.S.U.," but their frantic intensity remains. By not straying off the path laid down by its predecessors, Act of God will not disappoint extreme metalheads. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
