The acoustics come out again for “Brighter Side of Grey” and this time we have something closer to an actual ballad. The bass thumps along to the rhythm of the angrier lyrical sections, following the band’s trademark formula and it all just works. “Scar Tissue” ramps up the heavy again, yet as ever throws in that mix of rumbling background music with clean vocals. “Leave It All Behind” sounds nicely familiar, alternating the vocal styles and with some rapped/spoken lyrics chucked in there as we’ve heard before. Not exactly one to headbang to, or really sing along to, it’s simply a wall of utter metal noise. This is about as blistering a song as the band have ever done. I guess we all need a chance to grab our breath and when “This Is War” launches you know why. I wasn’t too keen on “Mother May I” and “Darkness Settles In” as they’re both more thoughtful tracks which need some more listens to really appreciate (going by my past experience with 5FDP albums). I’ve no idea if it’s Hook or Bathory, but it’s a belter.Īs we hit the midway point in this pretty mammoth album, I felt that things dipped a little. The guitar work on this track is superb and the solo around 2:30 is brilliant. I wonder how many of them are written from life experiences. As ever, they’re top notch and relatable. More toe-tapping rhythms kick off “To Be Alone” and we’re back in familiar territory – and I’m starting to catch my breath enough to listen to the lyrics. Not my favourite track on the album, but as I said at the start this is a quick blast through. Of course, being 5FDP they still go and throw in a melodic break in the middle… before it all comes crashing down on our heads again. I just love the little machine gun fills. “Bottom of the Top” throws the anger back in our faces once again, and includes some great drumming from Charlie Engen. And with one of those “Hey-ey-ey-yeah” choruses it’s destined for the live show. It’s not exactly a ballad, but it is a lighter song… and of course it’s catchy as all hell. If I said it was a bit like some of Papa Roach’s more recent material that might sound like a bit of an insult depending on your opinion of that particular band but give it a listen and see what you think. There’s more than a hint of overproduction on this song, but it works. “Living The Dream” ( lyric video also available) absolutely pounds and continues the adrenaline rush that kicked in with track 2, but the band throw in the first curveball with the clean intro and acoustic backing on “A Little Bit Off”. You can listen to this one below (and instantly if you pre-order in the next few minutes), so what about the other tracks? “Full Circle” has also already been released and, if anything, is even better than the previous song. As well as “that” beard, he lays down one hell of a bass line which just demands neck motion. Of course, he’s ably accompanied by one of metal’s most photogenic bassists in Chris Kael, a man who can pull off a Davy Jones impression like nobody else (the guy from the Pirates films, not the one from the Monkees). I know he’s had his issues and the band have managed to get some good live cover for him, but he really is intrinsic to 5FDP’s sound. Mixing those angry, growled vocals with the trademark clean ones, Moody is on top form. Once it’s over, we’re straight into “Inside Out” which is as up front and abrasive as anything the band have released in the last decade. Having said that, typical of the five-some’s previous output it hits quick and drops a ton of wriggly earworms down your listening tubes.Īs seems to be common with a lot of albums I’ve listened to recently, the first (and in this case, title) track is a simple little intro. Obviously this is going to be very much a “first impressions” review. Unlike marmite, however (which is the Devil’s own chocolatey shit), I like Five Finger Death Punch so we’ll see how this pans out. Yeah, sometimes deadlines are a little tighter than you’d like! But a chance to pound my speakers with one of metal’s more Marmite bands is always something I enjoy. “Erm… in about 2 hours – it drops at midnight.” “Just got the new album in from 5FDP for review.
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