History

Formation and The Way of the Fist (2005-09)

Main article: The Way of the Fist

Five Finger Death Punch was founded in 2005 by former U.P.O. bassist Zoltan Bathory and drummer Jeremy Spencer, Zoltan deriving the band's name from classic martial arts cinema. Bassist Matt Snell joined in early 2006. Later that year, Bathory contacted vocalist Ivan Moody (formerly of Motograter), sending him some of the material the band had recorded and asked him to audition for the vocalist position. Moody flew from his home in Denver, Colorado to Los Angeles and quickly began recording material with the band.

By the end of 2006, their debut album, The Way of the Fist had been recorded, entirely produced by the band. The album was recorded with Stevo "Shotgun" Bruno and Mike Sarkisyan and was mixed by guitarist Logan Mader. After searching for a second guitarist, they found Caleb Bingham who played some shows with the band, but was later replaced by Darrell Roberts. Shortly after recording the album, they signed a record deal with Firm Music, a branch of "The Firm". On July 10, 2007, they released an EP, Pre-Emptive Strike exclusively through the American iTunes Store. The album's lead single, "The Bleeding", was released on July 13, 2007. The Way of the Fist was released on July 31, 2007. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number 199 and was certified gold in 2011.

From July 30 - September 2, 2007, the band went on their first major tour cycle as one of the supporting acts on Korn's Family Values Tour. They were also a supporting act of the North American leg of Korn's Bitch We Have a Problem Tour from September 22 - October 27, 2007. They were set to tour with Chimaira and All That Remains from January through March 2008, but due to singer Moody developing cysts on his vocal cords they were forced to pull out. He made a full recovery and they began to tour again. They supported Disturbed on their Indestructible US Tour from April through May 2008.

The Way of the Fist was re-released on May 13, 2008, with 3 bonus tracks. One of the bonus tracks, "Never Enough" was released as the album's second single on July 15, 2008. Later that year they were a part of the 2008 Mayhem Festival playing the Jägermeister Stage. The third single from The Way of the Fist, "Stranger Than Fiction" was released on September 17, 2008. The Way of the Fist was released through Spinefarm Records in Canada on November 4, 2008, and in Europe on January 19, 2009. In January 2009 Darrell Roberts was asked to leave the band and was replaced by guitarist Jason Hook. They ended their support for their first album playing the main stage at the 2009 Download Festival.

War Is the Answer (2009-10)

Main article: War Is the Answer

War Is the Answer was announced as Five Finger Death Punch's second studio album in May 2009. The album was produced by Kevin Churko and mixed by Randy Staub. The album debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. The first single from the album, "Hard to See", was released on July 21, 2009. To promote War Is the Answer, Five Finger Death Punch embarked on "The Shock and Raw" US Tour. Main support on the tour was provided by Shadows Fall, with additional support coming from Otep and 2Cents. Upon completing the US run of the tour, Five Finger Death Punch then brought the Shock and Raw tour to Europe, finishing off with a run of dates in the UK. Main support for these dates was again Shadows Fall, and opening acts for the UK portion of the tour were Rise To Remain and Magnacult.

The second single from War Is the Answer, "Walk Away", was released on November 2, 2009. The album also spawned two UK-only singles, "Dying Breed", released on November 16, 2009, and "No One Gets Left Behind", released on March 8, 2010. During March 2010, Five Finger Death Punch traveled to Iraq and played 10 shows for the United States troops. The band's cover of Bad Company's song "Bad Company" was released as the fifth single from War Is the Answer on May 17, 2010. On their way to perform at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park Zoltan Bathory, Matt Snell and Jeremy Spencer were detained by German police for alleged international weapons violations. After recognizing the event as a misunderstanding, German police released the band members and they appeared at both Rock im Park on June 4, 2010 and Rock am Ring June 6, 2010 as scheduled.

Five Finger Death Punch also played the Maurice Jones Main Stage at the 2010 Download Festival on June 12, 2010. While playing the song "Dying Breed", their set was cut due to too many people crowd surfing up to the stage. They were allowed to play one final song, "The Bleeding". They played the main stage at Mayhem Festival 2010 with Korn, Rob Zombie and Lamb of God from July 10 until August 14, 2010. On August 17, 2010 they performed the songs "Bad Company" and "Hard to See" on the ABC show Jimmy Kimmel Live!. On September 16, 2010, The band released "Far from Home" as the sixth single from War Is the Answer. They supported Godsmack on their "The Oracle 2010" tour from October 3 - November 4, 2010. The song, "Dying Breed" was featured on the soundtrack for Namco Bandai Games' remake of Splatterhouse, released on November 23, 2010.

American Capitalist (2010-13)

Main article: American Capitalist

The band began to record their third studio album entitled American Capitalist in November 2010 at The Hideout studios in Las Vegas, Nevada. The album was released October 11, 2011. The album was produced by Kevin Churko, who also produced the band's previous album, War Is the Answer. It was announced in April 2011, that bassist Matt Snell had departed from the band in December 2010 and in June 2011, Chris Kael was announced as Snell's replacement. The first single from American Capitalist, entitled "Under and Over It", was released on July 27, 2011, following a music video in September 2011. In support of the album, Five Finger Death Punch embarked on their "Share the Welt" tour from October 16 - December 14, 2011 with support from All That Remains, Hatebreed and Rains and their "Furious and Deadly" tour from March 23 - April 12, 2012 with support from Soulfly, Windowpane, and Persist. The song "Back For More" is included on the soundtrack for the video game Madden NFL 12. "Back for More" was released as a digital single on September 13, 2011. "Remember Everything" was released as the second official single for American Capitalist in November 2011, with a music video following in February 2012. "Coming Down" was released as the third official single from American Capitalist in April 2012, with a music video, directed by Nick Peterson, following in June 2012. The song also won the band an Independent Music Award in 2013 for Best Metal/Hardcore Song.

From July 13 - August 28, 2012, Five Finger Death Punch took part in Metal Hammer's "Trespass America Festival" with support from Battlecross, God Forbid, Emmure, Pop Evil, Trivium and Killswitch Engage.

The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell (2013-15)

Main articles: The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 and The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2

On February 15, 2013, Five Finger Death Punch stated on Facebook that they were working on a fourth album, due in the summer. On February 28, the band posted a picture on Facebook of Ivan being the last member to do some vocal recording for the new album. On March 12, an update video was posted to YouTube. On March 18, the band was announced to be playing Mayhem Festival 2013. On March 18, Five Finger Death Punch posted a promotional video of their next upcoming tour with the new short song of "Here to Die".

On May 1, 2013, Five Finger Death Punch announced the release of their next studio albums: Volume 1 scheduled for release on July 30, with Volume 2 following later in the year During the fifth annual Golden Gods Awards, Five Finger Death Punch performed their new song with Rob Halford of Judas Priest entitled "Lift Me Up". The song was released as a single on May 14.

On June 6, Five Finger Death Punch revealed the art cover for The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 and also released a snippet of the future single "Dot Your Eyes" Volume 1 was released on July 30 and reached the #2 position on the Billboard 200 with 113,000 copies sold in its first week, making it the band's most successful debut to date. The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Volume 1 has sold over 210,000 copies to date.

On September 9, 2013, Five Finger Death Punch released a new single: "Battle Born", in anticipation of their fifth studio album The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2, released on November 19, 2013. It sold 77,000 copies in its first week, and once again landed in the number 2 position on the Billboard 200.

On August 11, 2014, Five Finger Death Punch released a video for the song "Wrong Side of Heaven". The video is about homeless veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI and depression after serving in the military, and not receiving the help they need despite this.

Got Your Six (2015-present)

Main article: Got Your Six

On December 12, 2013, Five Finger Death Punch revealed in a radio interview that they had already begun working on a sixth studio album.

On January 14, 2015, Five Finger Death Punch announced US Spring headline tour dates from April 25 to May 9, 2015 and their intention to enter the studio to write and record a new album.

On May 2, 2015, the band released the title of their sixth album, Got Your Six as well as a teaser for a new song titled "Ain't My Last Dance" on their official Facebook page. The album, which was slated for release on August 28, 2015, was later pushed back by a week.

On May 19, 2015, the band announced a co-headlining North American Tour with longtime friends Papa Roach. They will be promoting the upcoming album and be accompanied by In This Moment as special guests with support from From Ashes To New for the tour. The band also performed on the main stage as part of Download Festival 2015.

On April 27, 2016, Billboard Magazine reported that the band's record label Prospect Park (production company) filed a lawsuit against the band on April 21, 2016 for breaching their contract. The basis of the claim cites that the band began working on a new album without Prospect Park's consent.

Style and influences

Five Finger Death Punch's music has generally been viewed as heavy metal, but has also been categorized as hard rock, alternative metal, groove metal, and thrash metal. In 2008, shortly after the release of their debut, guitarist Zoltan Bathory stated that the band was mostly heavy metal, with influences of thrash and European-style metal. In 2014, Bathory again restated that the band is best categorized as heavy metal, and also says that subgenres take away from the "brotherhood" and value of heavy metal music. However, he did note that the band takes in several other styles, but did not name any.

Band members

Current members Zoltan Bathory - rhythm guitar, bass, lead guitar Jeremy Spencer - drums, vocals Ivan Moody - lead vocals Jason Hook - lead guitar, backing vocals Chris Kael - bass, backing vocals

Former members Matt Snell - bass, backing vocals Darrell Roberts - lead guitar, backing vocals Caleb Andrew Bingham - lead guitar, backing vocals

Timeline

Discography

For a more comprehensive list, see Five Finger Death Punch discography.

Studio albums

• The Way of the Fist (2007)
• War Is the Answer (2009)
• American Capitalist (2011)
• The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 (2013)
• The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2 (2013)
• Got Your Six (2015)

Accolades

Revolver Golden Gods Awards

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2012	Zoltan Bathory, Jason Hook	Best Guitarist	Nominated
2012	Ivan Moody	Best Vocalist	Nominated
2012	Jeremy Spencer	Best Drummer	Won
2012	American Capitalist	Album of the Year	Nominated
2013	Five Finger Death Punch	Best Live Band	Nominated
2014	The Wrong Side of Heaven...	Album of the Year	Nominated
2014	Ivan Moody	Best Vocalist	Nominated
2014	Zoltan Bathory, Jason Hook	Best Guitarist	Nominated
2014	Chris Kael	Best Bassist	Won
2014	Lift Me Up	Song of the Year	Won
2014	Five Finger Death Punch	Most Dedicated Fans	Nominated

Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2009	Five Finger Death Punch	Best New Band	Won
2010	Five Finger Death Punch	Best Breakthrough Band	Won
2010	Zoltan Bathory	Best Shredder	Won
2012	Five Finger Death Punch	Best International Band	Nominated
2012	Zoltan Bathory	Metal As Fuck	Nominated
2013	Five Finger Death Punch	Best International Band	Nominated
2014	Five Finger Death Punch	Best Live Band	Nominated

Kerrang! Awards

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2009	Five Finger Death Punch	Best International Newcomer	Nominated

Radio Contraband Rock Radio Awards

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2011	Five Finger Death Punch	Indie Artist of the Year	Won
2012	Five Finger Death Punch	Indie Artist of the Year	Won
2012	American Capitalist	Album of the Year	Won
2012	Coming Down	Song of the Year	Won
2013	Five Finger Death Punch	Indie Artist of the Year	Won
2014	Five Finger Death Punch	Indie Artist of the Year	Won
2014	Wrong Side of Heaven	Video of the Year	Won

Bandit Rock Awards

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2014	The Wrong Side of Heaven...	Best International Album	Won
2014	Five Finger Death Punch	Best International Group	Won
2016	Five Finger Death Punch	Best International Artist	Won

Loudwire Music Awards

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2013	The Wrong Side of Heaven...	Rock Album of the Year	Nominated
2013	Lift Me Up	Rock Song of the Year	Nominated
2013	Five Finger Death Punch	Rock Band of the Year	Nominated
2013	Five Finger Death Punch	Most Devoted Fans	Nominated
2013	Five Finger Death Punch	Best Live Act	Nominated
2014	Wrong Side of Heaven	Best Rock Video	Won
2015	Got Your Six	Best Rock Album	Nominated
2015	Wash It All Away	Best Rock Song	Nominated
2015	Five Finger Death Punch	Best Rock Band	Nominated
2015	Zoltan Bathory, Jason Hook	Best Guitarist	Nominated
2015	Jeremy Spencer	Best Drummer	Won

SiriusXM Octane Music Awards

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2015	Five Finger Death Punch	Artist of the Year	Won

iHeartRadio Music Awards

Year	Recipient/Nominated work	Award	Result
2016	Five Finger Death Punch	Rock Artist of the Year	Nominated

[ Source: Wikipedia ]