Five Finger Death Punch Album: “Way of the Fist”

This is a record for all of those long standing fans of bands like Pantera that are wondering when the next great metal act might be. Well, wait no longer go out and buy Five Finger Death Punch as you will be banging your head like you used to...

This band is growing and growing fast, With good reason. After a brief conversation with lead singer Ivan after there performance at the family values show in Hartford Ct. About the late "James Lynn Strait" may he rest in peace. I respected him like a brother, To come out and talk with fans like he does. The music is just pure metal and so much talent in the band. I couldn't wait for the CD to come out I went and bought it the day it came out. And been listening to it since, The band is well put together the production quality is amazing. There is not one song on the CD that you can label your favorite its just not fair to the album. All the songs are just amazing this is just simply one of the best albums to come out in 07. So do your self a favor and buy it, And if you get the chance see them live do it you will not regret it. The way of the fist is exactly what the title says, It will make you want to clench your fists and get in the pit.

Anyone can learn to scream and sing and play loud music. That seems to be the definition of today's metal scene. But there are a few who can stand head and shoulders above the rest and deliver a solid, unforgettable message. This is one of those bands; they have a solid, welcoming sound and a razor-sharp impact that won't leave you. Grouped with bands such as Forgotten Fable, Luna Mortis, and Straight Line Stitch, these guys have created a piece of art with this album with a personality.

I here mix reviews of these guys on chat forums. I don't understand why? They have a great sound. Ivan Moody or "Ghost" as some of you may also know him as is a great vocalist. I like his schizophrenic singing. If you liked Motogrator and Ghost Machine then this definitely is a must have. They are on the Family Values Tour with Korn and Hell Yeah this year. Go and check them out!

Let's get things straight, I don't like metalcore, its c***-tease metal. All the songs sound the same, start off heavy scream, scream, scream then have the obligatory breakdown where they sing. Ya get me worked up and moshing and then the singing comes and just sounds out of place, and I can't do anything with it. They only metalcore band I like a lot is Unearth.

Now I have two metalcore bands I like.

Getting into FFDP was pretty easy: I saw their name on the bill for the Family Values Tour and said "That is the most ridiculously awesome name!" and checked out them performing Salvation on YouTube and was hooked. I never heard anything from Motograter or Ghost Machine, so I wasn't even part of the Ivan Moody fan club until hearing this.

Ivan Moody is a big part of why FFDP works, the man can scream and grunt, and sing really well. His voice is completely void of that whiney emo tone that plagues a lot of singers in the metalcore business. The other aspect of this band that works is that they don't completely change the momentum of the song with the breakdowns; they go from hard head-banging riffs to more melodic work without a hitch and throw in guitar solos and other interesting elements with ease.

But the album has some elements that don't completely work. For one the song structure is pretty similar, scream the verses sing the chorus, repeat (except "The Bleeding" where they switch it). This method works flawlessly for the first 5 tracks in pure awesome metal goodness. We then hit "The Devil's Own" and we reach the first dud in the album. It's a personal pet peeve of mine hearing about people whine about mommy and daddy problems. Ivan, you're like 30 dude, if your parents cause you that much angst, get some therapy or stop sending them Christmas cards.

"White Knuckles" and "Can't Heal You" keep the album going good, and do play with the song structures and have some really addictive guitar work. "Death Before Dishonor" really doesn't work for me, I find the melody of the chorus clunky and well nothing really works on that song for me. But the album ends on a strong note with "Meet the Monster" a crunchy track that is hard not to scream along with.

So all in all Way of the Fist is a good album, and once Five Finger Death Punch has had time to gel with one another and push their talents even further I'm sure they will become a bigger, better, meaner fist ready to punch some metal in our eardrums.