Released: 30th July 2013
Genre: Groove Metal, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
Label: Prospect Park
Number of Tracks: 14
Sounds Like: Disturbed, Stone Sour, Hellyeah
Overall Rating: 7/10
Five Finger Death Punch (5FDP) are undoubtedly one of the most commercially successful metal bands out there. Just look at sales of all their previous albums which have gone gold, more than half a million sales each. They also boast top 10 US Active rock songs for releases such as 'Hard to See', 'Walk away', 'Far From Home', ' Under and Over it' and others. The first single from their new album went to number 1 in the US Active Rock Chart, and number 3 in the Billboard chart within a month of its release.
All other 5FDP albums have crunchy headbanging riffs, a lot of melodies and the trade mark Ivan Moody's angry vocals. This formula has clearly worked very well for them in the past, and is very apparent in this new album, even more so than in previous albums. There is something almost mature about the record, and the catchy riffs, sing along vocals and leads are in abundance all through this album.
The album is packed with guest appearances, included Rob Halford of Judas Priest who helps out with the vocals on the first track 'Lift Me Up'. Other guests include Maria Brink of 'In this Moment', 'Tech N9ne', and Jamey Jesta from 'Hatebreed'. All adding something to this very diverse album.
Vocalist Ivan Moody, definitely has anger issues, but i sure hope he doesn't get help. Typically aggressive vocals throughout the entire album, and simplistic lyrical content like in track 5 'Burn MF' really get you singing along easily. 5FDP have done covers before, but Ivan Moody's attempt at rapping the cover of L.L Cool J's 'Mama Said Knock You Out' which features Tech N9ne, is laughable, and that song is the only flaw in the album, however Tech N9ne shows how skilled he is at his genre, it is just Moody's rapping that needs a bit of work.
What i really like about the album is how diverse it is. There are tracks that are radio-friendly, such the melodic song 'Wrong Side of Heaven' which sit along side intense metal tracks like 'You' and 'I.M. Sin'. Theres some softer tracks with the word spoken track 'Diary of a Deadman', and some acoustic guitar on the second track 'Watch you Bleed'. Theres rapping, and even a duet on track 13 with Maria Brink. You'll find yourself singing/chanting along to most songs for sure, and you will want to listen to it over and over again.
Most of all, The Wrong Side of Hell and the Righteous Side of Hell Volume 1 is a typically aggressive, unapologetic, blood pumping 5FDP album, with plenty of other things to keep you interested. If you don't like it, i am fairly confident 5FDP do not care, as they say in the final track 'Dot your eyes', 'Could give a rat's ass what you think of me'
Volume 2 comes on the deluxe edition which came out on the 30th July. Currently headlining Rockstar Mayhem Festival in the USA, before heading out on their own tour. They tour Europe in November, hitting the UK on 30th November.
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