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FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH
"AfterLife"
(Better Noise; 2022)
Reviewed by Snidermann
When I think of the rockers who are the best at self-promotion, I think of two: Joe Bonamassa and Five Finger Death Punch. I know there are others, but those two come to mind.
My current review project is "AfterLife by FFDP and it is just what you've heard from them in the past and that's a good thing. This album is rough and tumble from the beginning to the brutal end. Outstanding heavy music. Well-written, performed to perfection and with outstanding production value.
This band is simply outstanding and "AfterLife" is further proof of that. I have yet to see them live, but that is on the bucket list, for damned sure. When you know the music is good, no clever grammar or some chump writing about it can make up your minds for you, but let me tell you, these guys, and this record, just fucking rocks. That is just what FFDP is: No bullshit, no hype, no filler, just heavy, kickass music.
For more info check out http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com.
"F8"
(Noise; 2020)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Five Finger Death Punch is a great name for a band and this latest album is entitled "F8." I've heard of FFDP before, of course ... who hasn't? ... however, I never really listened to an entire release. Man, I'm glad I finally did.
FFDP is from Las Vegas and they really know how to put out a metal release that is worth the time. The music is easy to listen to and is a total blast from start to finish. This recording rocks like a bitch and I can tell from their website that I have some catching up to do when it come to FFDP or 5FDB (not only do they have a fucking cool name, they also have some really cool abbreviations for the band).
"F8," in a word, rocks, pure and simple. It's the kind of recording that makes you want to get out and see the band live as soon as possible.
Five Finger Death Punch is: Ivan Moody, vocals; Zoltan Bathory, guitar; Caleb Andrew, guitar; Matt Snell, bassist; Jeremy Spencer, drums.
For more info check out http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com.
"And Justice for
None"
(Prospect Park; 2018)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Five Finger Death Punch is one of the best bands I have heard of in quite some time. I review their "F8" album early in 2020 ... and now that seems like a lifetime ago.
I stumbled across "And Justice for None" when surfing my streaming music service (who could have said that two years ago?). This recording is simply fucking blistering. Not only is the music top shelf, the songwriting ability is like painting a picture with words. When you put it all together, you get one killer fucking recording.
Of course, not all of the words are going to be nice, but what they are is kick ass and on point. Each cut is a metal mini-store that comes forth from the listening device to permeate my cerebral cortex, unlike any band has done in some time. This music is not for the weak, this is in-your-face metal with plenty of attitude, killer lyrics and a shit load of moxie and/or charisma. Well done!
For more info check out http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com.
"Got Your Six"
(Prospect Records; 2015)
Reviewed by Snidermann
There are a few things I really dig about Five Finger Death Punch (FFPD). First off, their album art is always ultra cool. Their music is always super tight and it's always a great, fun listening experience. The name of this recording is "Got Your Six." I always considered it a police or military term meaning "I got your back."
I have always wondered about the people who put the Explicit Lyric Content tag on recordings. Do they delve through the written lyrics or even listen to the music for the dreaded F-word? Anyway, the censors don't have to wait long with FFPD; they swear with impunity within the first few lines of the first song. "Jekyll and Hyde," the second song of the recording, must be experienced to be appreciated. Check it out on YouTube for yourself, it'll convince you to buy the CD. It's is a snap shot of FFDP in the best way.
If you like your metal in your face, with heavy guitars, thundering bass and drums, and killer lyrics, FFDP is right up your alley and "Got Your Six" is a perfect example of how fucking cool this band is.
Now days, it's common practice for a band to use the internet for self promotion; however, FFDP did it first and better than anyone (IMO, of course). There is no question on what you get when you listen to a FFDP release and any fan of the band knows what the hell I am talking about. "Got Your Six" is simply one killer metal release.
For more info check out http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com.
"The
Wrong Side of Heaven and the
Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2"
(AIS; 2013)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Five Finger Death Punch's "The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2."
I have to agree with Jeff Rogers (see his review of Volume 1, below): this has got to be the longest title I have ever typed for a review!
First off, I love this band. I like the loud, in-your-face lyrics, the forceful music and the very clear and understandable singing. FFDP are a great band all around and not only that, their cover art is way fucking cool, also.
I like the growling metal music as well as the next person and I do listen to that kind of music when I'm in the mood. However, I do like metal music where I can understand all the words. And there is room in our genres for both kinds!
I have yet to listen to "Volume 1" but is on my to do list. Now, however I am totally enjoying "Volume 2" and all the music that it entails. Every release I have listened to from this band has been outstanding, and if they are half as good live, that show must be outstanding (FFDP is totally on my bucket list of bands to see live).
There is a cover version of the classic Animals tune here, "House Of The Rising Sun." FFDP has changed the lyrics of the city in the song from New Orleans to Sin City (Las Vegas). I am pretty sure there is a story behind both volumes, 1 and 2, and I will have a great time figuring it out.
For more info check out http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com.
"The Wrong Side of Heaven and the
Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1"
(Prospect Park; 2013)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
I think this is the longest band name and album title
I've ever typed! This is the fourth disc from these groove metal monsters. This
disc starts off heavier than the world with the first track "Life Me Up" and has
legendary Rob Halford blasting his vocal along side lead singer Ivan Moody. It's
got plenty of flipped off middle fingers to show that 5FDP aren't laying down
just to let you pass. In fact, you've got to get through them! Good luck, you're
going to need it!
This disc has a lot guest vocalists on it: "Anywhere But Here" has Maria Brink
from In This Moment, "I.M. Sin" has Max Cavalera and the last track on the
deluxe edition, entitled "Dot Your Eyes" has Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed. 5FDP also
cover the rap track "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J and they put their
metal dukes all over it! Every track on this disc is hard hitting and is sure to
get your blood pumping. Since these guys had so much music recorded they decided
to break it up into two discs. Volume II will be reviewed soon.
5FDP: Ivan Moody - vocals; Zoltan Bathory - rhythm guitar; Jason Hook - lead
guitar, backing vocals; Jeremy Spencer - drums; Chris Kael - bass, backing
vocals.
For more info -
http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com.
"War is the Answer"
(Prospect Park; 2009)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
This is the second punch (a right cross?) from a band who originated in Los Angeles, California. Their first CD was a left hook since they took heavy metal and combined it with thrash and added in groove metal to give it a funky feel. The first track here just kicks into high gear and they never let up. They are named as a tribute to a vintage kung-fu film; I love kung-fu films and heavy metal so I'm here for the duration.
If you love Korn or Disturbed then you'll want to grab this release. The vocals are clean and gravelly, the guitar is nasty and with riffs that groove instead of just pound your eyeballs you'll love this stuff. There are plenty of solos so my cup runneth over. The drums are a force to be reckoned with - they pound! I think the bass guitar is down-tuned as well. The music is heavy but done with great melodies so it's got that metal feel that's been missing in today's music.
The album title comes from the band thinking about how life is a war, because it's you against the world; you fight for everything. Sometimes you need to just start swinging and other times you need to find a deeper answer. They have a couple of acoustic intros that lead into slower songs, we're not talking love songs at all but the mood changes considerably.
A track titled "Canto 34" is a rockin' instrumental with so many things thrown in you'll want to hit repeat just to hear it over and over. They also cover the song "Bad Company" by the band of the same name; great vocals can be heard here and they also add their own dig by singing "The Death Punch sound is our claim to fame." They may have covered it but they make it their own.
You need to pick up this CD! Don't make me five finger punch you!
Five Finger Death Punch: Ivan Moody - vocals; Zoltan Bathory - rhythm guitar; Jason Hook - lead guitar; Matt Snell - bass guitar; Jeremy Spencer - drums.
For more information, check out http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2023 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
