Five Finger Death Punch

Five Finger Death Punch is a brilliant name for a Heavy Metal band.

The name was derived from the ultimate death blow in Quentin Tarantino’s film “Kill Bill 2.” It also referenced the 1972 Kung-Fu movie “Five Fingers Of Death.”

“The Way Of The Fist,” the ’07 debut album from the Vegas based band, was an immediate success selling over a half-a-million copies in the U.S. The album held the title track, “The Bleeding,” and “Never Enough.”

The Way Of The Fist

Bad Company

Two years later, sophomore set “War Is The Answer” expanded the band’s popularity selling over 1,000,000 copies and being certified platinum.

Six singles were released from the album with “Hard To See,” Walk Away,“ “Far From Home and “Bad Company: (a cover of the Bad Company classic) landing in the Top 10 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

“Basically, you’re fighting against something or other right from the start – fighting for survival with pretty much everything against you, and there are occasions when the only really appropriate response is to punch someone in the mouth,” explained rhythm guitarist Zoltan Bathory. “It’s a pretty involved subject once you really start to think about it, and this record covers it all – the deeper meaning and of course the more shallow one too!”

It was during this period the band traveled to Iraq and played 10 shows for the U.S. troops.

Third album, “American Capitalist,” an ’11 release, also went platinum. “Coming Down” topped Mainstream Rock with “Remember Everything” with “Under And Over It” peaking in the Top 10. The first album not to feature bassist Matt Snell, he departed from the band in late ’10, debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200.

Remember Everything

Under And Over It

In ’13, the band landed a double shot with “The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell, Volume 1” and “The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2.”

“We came off the road after a couple of great years of touring and were really amped up to write the 4th record,” remembered Bathory. “Everybody was in the right headspace and the band tighter than ever so it was a perfect storm. We jumped in headfirst and found ourselves 12–13 songs deep fairly quick but were still coming up with better and better material so we looked at each other and said… okay why stop there?… let’s keep going. Once we passed the 24th song we knew we’re going to have to do a double album.”

Both albums jumped to #2 on the Billboard 200 with “Volume 1” going platinum. The lead single, “Lift Me Up,” featured Judas Priest’s Rob Halford.

“Got Your Six” was their third consecutive set to debut at #2 on the Billboard 200. All five singles from the ’15 album (“Jekyll And Hyde,” “Wash It All Away,” “My Nemesis,” “Hell To Pay” and “I Apologize” placed in Mainstream Rock’s Top 10 with “Wash It All Way” going to #1, driving the album to platinum status.

Wash It All Away

It’s inevitable that every successful band hits a rough patch. First Five Finger Death Punch’s record label filed a lawsuit against the band for breaching their contract – they began working on a new album without the label’s consent. Then vocalist Ivan Moody said he would be completing the current tour and leave the band at the end of the year. The next day however, the band’s official site said rumors about Ivan’s departure were false.

But a difficult show in Tilburg, Netherlands did not bode well. Moody was “late” so Tommy Vext of Bad Wolves sang the first two songs. Then Moody came onstage and told the audience, “This is my last show with Five Finger Death Punch” before walking off. Later, Bathory tweeted that the events that transpired were “not a publicity stunt.”

The next day, a statement addressing what happened referenced band’s heavy tour schedule “inevitably have a few derailments, but the train always keeps on moving.” Moody would remain as the band’s frontman but Vext would fill in while Moody checked in to rehab for alcohol issues resulting in seizures.

With issues under control, if not resolved, the greatest hist collection, “A Decade Of Destruction,” was released in late ’17 (just in time for Christmas). Five months later, “And Justice For None,” dropped. It was the last album with drummer and founding member Jeremy Spencer. He underwent back surgery but the aliment eventually forced his permanent departure.

“And Justice For None” went gold (500,000+ units sold) but unlike its predecessors it only’ reached #4 on the Billboard 200.

“F8” was known for the singles “Inside Out” and “A Little Bit Off.” Both topped the Mainstream Rock chart. But during a ’20 European tour guitarist Jason Hook’s health issues forced him to miss the remaining shows. Andy James stepped in. Months later, Hook officially left the band with James becoming a permanent member.

Inside Out

A Little Bit Off

Their ninth studio album, “AfterLife,” a ’22 release, led with the title track single followed by “I.O.U,” “Welcome To The Circus” and “Times Like These.” All went to #1 on Mainstream Rock but the album peaked out at #10 on the Billboard 200 with less than stellar sales.

Five Finger Death Punch had to grapple with an unwanted surprise in ’24. Their former record label, Prospect Park, sold their master recordings without the band’s knowledge or consent. In response, FFDP re-recorded their greatest hits, to reclaim their own work. and released “Five Finger Death Punch: 20 Years Of FFDP – Best Of Volume,” the following year,

“When this happened to Taylor Swift, she responded by re-recording her catalog and her fans switched to streaming the new versions out of protest and loyalty,” observed Bathory. “We have one of the most hardcore and loyal fan bases on the planet so I know our fans will do the same.”

I Refuse

A re-recorded version of the ballad “I Refuse,” featuring guest vocals from Maria Brink of In This Moment, served as the lead single.

It topped the Mainstream Rock survey to become band’s 12th straight #1 – a record.

Moving forward but still using the past a touchstone, Five Finger Death Punch issued its tenth studio album, “Legacy.”

“We’re incredibly proud of this record because it captures everything people love about Five Finger Death Punch while also pointing toward where we’re headed next,” shared Moody.

“Every album is a snapshot of who we were at that particular moment in time,” added Bathory. “It’s a reflection on the journey, the lessons, the victories, the struggles, and everything we’ve experienced over the last two decades.”

“Legacy’s” lead track was “De Oppresso Liber,” which translates to ‘from being an oppressed person, to being a free one’

Bathory characterized the song as a philosophy. “It represents a willingness to stand between danger and those who cannot defend themselves. Throughout human history, there have always been people who were drawn to accept that responsibility. This song is our way of paying respect to that mindset.”