If you’re a fan of in-your-face metal music, chances are you’ve heard of Five Finger Death Punch. Taking the scene by storm since their formation in 2005 and the release of The Way of the Fist LP two years later, their music is an intense mix of rhythm and vigor, largely taking roots from the hardcore scene.
Their current incarnation — consisting of Zoltan Bathory (rhythm guitar), Jeremy Spencer (drummer), Ivan Moody (lead vocals), and newest member Chris Kael (bass) — has continued this success. Their two latest albums, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Volumes 1 and 2 are both signs that the band refuses to slow down.
As for the next record, it’s due later this year, as the band’s constantly working in spite of their hectic work schedule.
As one of the band’s founders, Bathory says the band’s writing and recording process has changed a bit from the earlier days. “We’ve started to write and record a lot more on the road now, and we always have a studio with us [and] some ideas before we record,” he says. “We used to just go in the studio without any having ideas or riffs.
“It’s a pretty energetic record,” he adds.“There’s a good mix of light and heavy [tracks], with a lot of mid-tempo and heavier stuff.”
You can catch Five Finger Death Punch, along with Seether, HellYeah, NonPoint, Sleepwave, and more on Sunday at the 98RockFest in Ladson. Be sure to get there early to check out and support Charleston’s own Wicked Love, who won 98 Rock’s Battle of the Bands last week at Ocean Cowboys.
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