ARTIST: Five Finger Death Punch
ALBUM: American Capitalist
LABEL: Prospect Park
RELEASE DATE: September 13, 2011
The Death Cometh
Photo by Prospect Park
Written by Katie J. Norris
5FDP is soaring to the top of the list of aggressive hard rock that can be played on the radio, mostly because their lyrics are clever enough to get their meaning across without resorting to a pointless war between artistic liberties and the FCC. Not to say there isn’t ample usage of demonically-angry, detailed style of speech throughout the album, but it’s not a mindless list of foul language lending to unconscious bitter issues inflicted onto others. Instead, it’s a thoughtful, unapologetic, self-aware creation that covers worldly issues we can all relate to. 5FDP maintains a sense of balance and control in their music while unleashing themselves completely and taking risks. It’s a refreshing form of heavy rock explosion that makes you feel purged instead of complained to.
Vocalist Ivan Moody has one of the most definable voices heard in rock n’ roll. He has a beastly, rumbling growl that he doesn’t overdo and only uses effectively in a few of the songs on this album. Another notable quality, besides his vocal endurance and his great power-belt, is his impeccable articulation. These attributes catch your ear from the first song to the last. The opening track bears the album title, “American Capitalist.” In this title track, Moody references their previous album with, “War is the answer/like I told you before.” Contrary to some opinions that this is lazy, recycled, filler writing, I think it happens to be a fun little quip from the band to their fans, especially because it also lies in the song that is this new albums’ title.
Jeremy Spencer drums with the rapidness of a machine gun and has a slick rhythmic precision that fits like a glove with Zoltan Bathory and Jason Hook’s raging guitar skills. Bassist Chris Kael, brings it raw, real and ruthless. The beauty of it all is that the air of maturity in their reckless control makes their use of dynamics seem effortless. In “Remember Everything,” Moody sings a ballad opening in the form of a letter to his parents that is emotional and without fear. And then it’s right back to the hate machine with “Wicked Ways.” By far, my favorite track on this album is the closing track, “100 Ways To Hate.” After a growled list of all the things that could make someone hatefully angry because of the pain caused by another person, and not just over trivial annoyances, the three-chord chorus sings, “I hate you… and that’s an understatement/ I don’t care/ anymore.” Haven’t we all felt that way at some point about something? It’s the adult song version of screaming into your pillow and punching your sisters’ doll.
There are quite a few remixes on American Capitalist. One of the tracks that have a few other remixes floating around the net is “Under And Over It.” The remix that landed on the album for this song is a techno production that doesn’t switch up any part of the song format to force uniqueness, but instead takes the pummeling rock tune and adds some futuristic, rippling-effect production that gives it an industrial feel which adds a new, interesting flavor to their sound. Another one of their songs that got a remix placement on the album is the slower ballad previously mentioned, “Remember Everything.” Synth strings are added to this one along with some smooth production. By the time the guitar solo comes in, it sounds more reminiscent of an ‘80s rock ballad, which I can’t really object to. The last remix on the album is for “100 Ways To Hate.” The remix starts the song with the chorus and includes a military rhythm stomp/clap that Queen would have been all over.
Besides earning high respects from the hard rock community, 5FDP are starting to gain notoriety in commercial aspects as well. “Back For More” has been chosen to be included on the video game soundtrack of the new Madden NFL ‘12. Their album is full of singles and is sure to remain at the top of the charts waiting to be challenged. Five Finger Death Punch is currently on their “Share The Welt Tour” with All The Remains, Hatebreed and Rev Theory. 5FDP hopes to write and record their upcoming fourth album while on tour as well as shoot their live performances with the idea of creating a DVD. Go to their website to get tour tickets, purchase the album, and to keep up with future news.