FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH ‘A Decade of Destruction’

To say Five Finger Death Punch have enjoyed a turbulent career is an understatement.
Aside from ongoing abuse problems with frontman Ivan Moody which has led to constant on again/ off again rumblings within the band – not to mention countless late cancellations of performances – there has also been a recent contractual dispute with label Prospect Park. This has seen their seventh album pushed back until Spring next year despite being finished nearly twelve months ago.
The band just can’t seem to get it together, which is a shame because the quality of their music is exceptional.
Debut album The Way of the Fist in 2007 ushered in a new era of heavy metal with Moody’s uncompromising and confronting lyrics setting the tone for a global onslaught that has seen the band score a slew of number one hits and a host of awards from prestigious outlets such as the Revolver and Metal Hammer Golden Gods as well as Loudwire Music Awards.
They have kept a steady output of a new album every two years, along the way successfully covering hit songs from Bad Company and The Animals, with the lawsuit as mentioned above is the main thing that has halted their momentum.
To fill in the gap – and to celebrate 10 years of music – Five Finger Death Punch have released their first compilation album A Decade of Destruction, featuring songs from each of their albums to date.
As well as the expected fan favourites such as ‘Coming Down’, ‘Lift Me Up’, ‘Wash It Away’, ‘Battle Born’ and ‘Wrong Side of Heaven (Right Side of Hell)’ 5FDP have also included two new songs – their first in over two years – in ‘Trouble’ and ‘Gone Away’, a cover of The Offspring’s smash hit from 1997.
‘Gone Away’ is sure to ignite debate amongst fans of the original with the ballad style version flying in the face of the angst-riddled original incarnation. For mine, it works well, but I am sure there will be those who disagree.
New single ‘Trouble’, opening with the line “I don’t look for trouble, trouble looks for me” epitomises the life of 5FDP from their inception so is the perfect way to open the album, with it’s aggressive and in your face lyrics proving that it could be worth the wait for new material.
Did we need another Greatest hits album? Probably not, but given the circumstances surrounding recent events for the band it is a fitting body of work to keep fans occupied while the band sorts their shit out.
Kris Peters