Review: Five Finger Death Punch – Got Your Six

Artist: Five Finger Death Punch
Album: Got Your Six
Rating: 9/10

Las Vegas’ Five Finger Death Punch have continued to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the active rock/metal scene. With the massive commercial success that their 2 previous albums, The Wrong Side of Heaven & The Righteous Side of Hell, Vol. 1 & 2 they saw that amplified tenfold. While there are still plenty of “radio-friendly” tracks on the album, it’s clear that they’ve gone back to their roots on their recently released 6th studio album, Got Your Six. What they’ve been able to prove even more with this album is that they’re heavily in support of our soldiers in arms, as the title derives from a military term meaning that someone is watching your back. While some will definitely argue that this album lacks the “edge” that the band has shown us in the past, others like myself, will argue that this album has more edge than any of their previous works. With some of the strongest lyrics vocalist Ivan Moody has ever written, some of the best fretwork from guitarists Zoltan Bathory and Jason Hook and a huge, arena-filling sound from drummer Jeremy Spencer… this may just be their most masterful release to date… but how can they back that up?

It all begins with the ominous, acoustically led intro of the title track “Got Your Six” quickly changing tempo and slamming you in the face like a ten ton brick. While it’s still clear that Moody is an insanely powerful force behind the microphone, it’s the guitars that really shine from the start. While Bathory has always been known for showing off with his flashy solos, driving riffs and overall talent… it’s clear that Hook is finally beginning to get the recognition he deserves. While I’m not sure if Bathory just stepped back a bit to let Hook shine or if they were really being competitive and Hook managed to shine through… his talent is worthy of praise. Together, they’re a deadly guitar duo and, arguably, one of the best in the alternative metal scene today!

One of the most interesting deliveries on the album is that of the lead single, “Jekyll & Hyde.” As the story goes, Ivan Moody doesn’t have any way of recording on tour so he uses voicemails to Hook as a way to capture ideas. One of these voicemails was placed into the song and became the basis for which it was built. It’s a track about fighting your demons inside, all the while trying to maintain your composure. It also touches on how society can perceive an individual in both a positive and negative light, especially when fame comes into play. That alone is enough to really stick with fans but there is a catchy nature about the song that you just can’t shake. I’m sure this song will do well with live crowds as it’s both aggressive and driven, while being catchy and fun.

Of course, on the opposite side of the spectrum, you’ve got tracks like “Wash It All Away” “Digging My Own Grave,” which, much like “Wrong Side of Heaven,” have a heavy touch to them but are ultimately melodic and emotional. These tracks add a darker edge to the album, showing that Moody isn’t afraid of wearing his heart on his sleeve if it means connecting with fans and giving them hope.

Then, you have the typical, sarcasm-riddled types of tracks like “Ain’t My Last Dance” and “Boots and Blood” which always have a heavy sound to them and, historically, resonate with fans quite well. These types of tracks are usually laced with profanity, venom and hate but these are the FFDP tracks that are always the most successful.

This band has never been known to do anything groundbreaking and, for that, they’re always the subject of mass amounts of hate. However, in the fact that they’ve consistently created the same type of music, managing to breathe new life into it each time, it’s quite impressive. Whether you’re a veteran “Knucklehead,” just discovering the band or you’re somewhere on the fence… you’ll likely find something to enjoy on this album. Rising up with the release of The Wrong Side of Heaven… they’ve claimed their throne as one of the best active metal bands out there with Got Your Six. As this band is all about the fans, our military and keeping metal alive, they’re proving once and for all that they’ve Got Your Six. Pick up your copy, available wherever music is sold, on Prospekt Park! Catch them on tour with Papa Roach, In This Moment and our good friends in From Ashes to New now (dates below!)

Buy Got Your Six
Official Webstore | iTunes (Standard) (Deluxe) | Amazon | Google Play

“Jekyll & Hyde” (Official Music Video)

TOUR DATES:
9/4 LEXINGTON, KY – RUPP ARENA
9/5 CINCINNATI, OH – US BANK ARENA
9/6 MOUNT PLEASANT, MI – SOARING EAGLE CASINO & RESORT*
9/8 MANAKTO, MN – VERIZON WIRELESS CENTER
9/11 MISSOULA, MT – ADAMS EVENT CENTER
9/12 EVERETT, WA – XFINITY ARENA
9/13 SPOKANE, WA – SPOKANE ARENA
9/15 EUGENE, OR – MATTHEW KNIGHT ARENA
9/16 RENO, NV – LAWLOR EVENT CENTER
9/18 ONTARIO, CA – CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA
9/19 LAS VEGAS, NV – THE JOINT AT HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO
9/20 SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAVERIK CENTER
9/22 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – BROADMOOR WORLD ARENA
9/24 INDEPENDENCE, MO – INDEPENDENCE EVENTS CENTER
9/25 LA CROSSE, WI – LA CROSSE CENTER
9/26 JANESVILLE, WI – WJOO SONIC BOOM**
9/27 COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – MID-AMERICA CENTER
9/29 ST. CHARLES, MO – FAMILY ARENA
9/30 INDIANAPOLIS, IN – INDIANA FARMERS COLISEUM
10/2 CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – US CELLULAR CENTER
10/3 TOLEDO, OH – HUNTINGTON CENTER
10/4 CLEVELAND, OH – JACOBS PAVILION
10/6 LOWELL, MA – TSONGAS CENTER
10/8 UNCASVILLE, CT – MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
10/9 GLENS FALLS, NY – GLEN FALLS CIVIC CENTER
10/10 PHILADELPHIA, PA – ROCK ALLEGIANCE**
 
**Festival
*No In This Moment
 
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH/PAPA ROACH EUROPE/UK TOUR DATES:
11/2 HELSINKI, FINLAND – HELSINKI ICE HALL
11/4 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – HOVET
11/5 OSLO, NORWAY – SENTRUM SCENE
11/6 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – TAP1
11/8 HANNOVER, GERMANY – SWISS LIFE HALL
11/9 LEIPZEG, GERMANY – LEIPZIG ARENA
11/11 STUTTGART, GERMANY – PORSCHE ARENA
11/12 WINTERTHUR, SWITZERLAND – EULACHHALLE
11/13 FRANKFURT, GERMANY – JAHHUNDERTHALLE
11/15 STRASBOURG, FRANCE – LA LAITERIE GRANDE SALLE***
11/16 LUXEMBOURG, LUX – DEN ATELIER***
11/17 AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – HEINEKEN MUSIC HALL
11/19 MUNICH, GERMANY – ZENITH
11/20 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC – MALA SPORTVONI HALA
11/21 VIENNA, AUSTRIA – GASOMETER
11/22 MILAN, ITALY – ALCATRAZ
11/24 PARIS, FRANCE – OLYMPIA
11/25 DUSSELDORF, GERMANY – MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC HALLE
11/26 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – FOREST NATIONAL CLUB
11/28 LONDON, UK – SSE ARENA WEMBLEY
***No Papa Roach

 
www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com
www.paparoach.com
www.inthismomentofficial.com
www.fromashestonew.com