It's rare that two of your favorite bands release CDs on the same day, both their 3rd CDs at that. If you know me you'll know that Five Finger Death Punch is right up there on my list of favorite bands, I'm not even sure I could put them in order at this point because it depends on my mood. On 10.10.10 I saw Godsmack, Five Finger Death Punch (5FDP) and Drowning Pool in concert and I would have to say that those 3 are my Top 3, in which order I'm not sure. Now at the very tale end of 10.10.11 (technically 10.11.11 but close enough) I'm able to listen with wonder at every single word uttered by this amazing band. I've listened to the entire CD twice, it's now almost 3:00AM but I had to share it with you.
For the first time in my life I waited in line at midnight for a CD release, I've never waited for the newest gadget, for Black Friday sales or to see a public appearance by a band, this was huge for me. You'll see my other purchase on ThemeSong Thursday but for now we're going to discuss Five Finger Death Punch American Capitalist. I thought it would be tough to beat War is the Answer but it looks like 5FDP has topped even themselves. I'm sure my neighbors are wishing I wouldn't listen to this hardcore metal music at midnight on a Monday but hey, they'll get over it and I'll never have the chance to listen to it on release day every again. Suck it!
I want to give you a song by song breakdown of the whole album, my likes, dislikes (not that there really are any) and urge you to pick this album up. As a responsible blogger I have to ask nicely that you LEGALLY download this one or buy the actual version in the store, no pirating! Just think about your favorite band being dropped from their label for poor sales because no one spent actual cash-money on the CD. Makes you sad, doesn't it?
As much as I love the vocals on this album I have to say that the music on this one is the most rocking I have EVER heard. Zoltan Bathory and Jason Hook are 100%, no doubt the BEST GUITARISTS EVER. I could listen to instrumentals from Five Finger and if you love Canto 34 as much as I do you know you agree. What other band could have an instrumental track on their modern album?
First up is the title track American Capitalist. Honestly in the Amazon preview I thought the guitar was too thrash and hard to hear over but I'm loving it on the actual song. I love that the band can write hard hitting songs that actually mean something and are profoundly deep and still appeal to the masses as much as they do. As always the guitar solo rocks my world. I could listen to it on repeat. "I don't wanna believe I'm empty. I don't want to admit I'm wrong. I don't want to regret who I've become, where I belong. I'm an American Capitalist." Perfection!
The first single is Under and Over It. I have to say that I'm amazed by the chorus of this one, the perfect melodic, easy to sing along with chorus that accompanies hard hitting verses. This is what 5FDP fan wants to hear, it's the style they've made famous and their true identity as a band. It's not the best song on the album but it certainly showcases their style. It's a very screw you kind of song and it's perfect for those days you just want to say "fuck the world!"
The Pride astounds me. How a band can write a song with every popular brand as the main words of the verses just astounds me. It really makes a point about people being scared of the things they don't understand and satires the American Dream. Of course the music is cool as hell too. Ivan Moody has the perfect voice for creepy voice-over work, he could star as the bad guy in an animated flick. Deep, raspy and hard hitting it's sheer perfection.
Coming Down is 4:08 of pain and anguish. I love when Ivan uses this voice, the shaky, raw voice that just gives you a complete understanding of his feelings. I think every single person can relate to the emotions in this song, how people bring you down and don't understand you and the way it makes you feel. It conjures up memories of high school, past lovers and perhaps childhood nightmares. This one is more melodic and slightly slower tempo'ed than the rest. If you liked Far from Home put Coming Down on your playlist now! The 30 second guitar solo alone is enough to make this an instant classic for any Knucklehead.
Just when you think they went soft the first drums of Menace hit and you know they'll never lose the sound you've grown to love. "I'm tired of trying to please the world that spins around me. This time I'm doing it for me and me alone. I don't need anyone, don't think I ever did. Not trying to be selfish, just doing what I know. I'm a menace." Truest words ever spoken and in an odd way, the perfect breakup song.
As much as I adore Ivan's melodic sing-song voice I adore the deep, insane speaking-like voice he uses on Generation Dead. Again, this one has a great chorus that is easy to sing along with even if you can't quite keep your words straight to recite the verses. This one is very reminiscent of their first album The Way of the Fist. Sick guitar solo on this track too. I love that the band can grow and progress with the times but never forget their original fans, that just goes to show how great being on a small label is for the fans!
Back For More reminds me of a heavy metal cheerleader. It's uplifting in a fight for your right kind of way and I can just see some sexy, goth cheerleaders piling up in pyramids and tossing their fists in the air as this song plays in the background. I can't foresee that happening in the near future but hey, a girl can dream. For that reason alone this one is instantly going on my workout playlist. "It's time to rise up, man up, get back up, never bend and won't be broken. Dust off and then come back for more. You gotta reach down, dig deep and break ground. Show them you won't be beaten. Brush it off and then come back for more!" I can see the elliptical machine air guitar now (oh yeah, I seriously do that, it can get dangerous!)
My favorite song on the album (and I'm sure Mr. Dudesday agrees with me on this one) is Remember Everything. It's one of those songs that just hits you hard, right in the gut. You feel the pain even if you haven't lived through it. Those are the songs that I love. If you feel the emotions of the person through the speakers and you've never even been through them yourself you know that the music is truly speaking to you. I'd give anything to touch people the way this song touches me, it's intense, seconds from tears emotional to me. If this song doesn't become a single someone is seriously sleeping on the job. The 80s inspired guitar solo both makes me want to learn to play and to quit before I start because I could never hold a candle to Mr. Bathory or Mr. Hook, or Zoltan and Jason to you and I.
Wicked Ways is the epitome of a scorned lover song. It hits deep; we've got a character assassination on our hands. Again, I can't truly relate to these feelings but with a little imagination you can project Ivan's words on your wicked boss, your mother (or mother in law) or that bitch who pushed you in the mud in third grade. You know there is someone you feel this way about. It's empowering to force the anger out and know that someone else has been in the exact position as you.
Don't let the intro fool you If I Fall is a strong rock song, the gentle instrumental at the beginning gives way to a hard as hell epitome of 5FDP song. The drums really steal the show on this one and I love that. I used to be the girl who only listened to the words and never really heard the music but you can't ignore Jeremy Spencer on the drums or Chris Kael on the equally heavy bass line. "If I fall, if I fall, I'm dragging everybody down!" Love it!
Rounding out the album is 100 Ways to Hate. It's these type of songs (along with War is the Answer, the title track from album #2) that just crack me up. They are FULL of curses and anger and they make me feel better just hearing them. This is definitely a song that would instantly de-stress you after a bad day. It'll wind you up, exhaust you and make you 100% calmer by the end. Try it and let me know how it works!
How's that for a blog launch? One of my favorite bands and their simply divine new album. If you pick it up you gotta let me know and we can rejoice in being Knuckleheads together (the bands mascot, the masked man with the brass knucks is Knucklehead for those not in the know). PS- Loving the comical, sarcastic graphic novel artwork on the cover and promotional material and especially love that Zoltan is the art director for the CD, talk about multi-talented.
