War Is The Answer

As anyone who may read this blog regularly knows, I was a big Motograter fan back in the day. Once lead singer left Ivan Moody left the band and formed Five Finger Death Punch, I was apprehensive as to whether Ivan could front a band as loud, in-your-face, and flat out pissed off as Motograter was. Once FFDP's debut "The Way of the Fist" was released, those fears were put to rest.

Fast forward to today, the first day of release of FFDP's sophomore effort, "War Is The Answer." The lead single, "Hard To See" has already been a moderate success on rock and metal radio. War is the Answer may well be a harder, more confrontational album than their debut was. Yet, it also contains ballads reminescent of the best that today's modern rock bands have to offer, along with a little taste of Metallica.

The opener, "Dying Breed" kicks the album off with a "ROUND ONE!!" lyrical cliche. Dying Breed is nothing new to FFDP fans, it is the same ass-kickery that was found on The Way of the Fist. I have to give FFDP credit for sticking to their sound and not changing it on a whim like most bands do today.

Track #2 is the lead single, "Hard To See." Radio-friendly lyrically, the music still packs a whallop to the ears. A fine example of the way modern metal should sound like.

Next is "Bulletproof," harkens back to the Motograter days, whose songs were mostly about defiance in the face of those you despise. This song showcases Ivan's vocal range, from an almost talking tone, to his trademark low, harsh, semi-growl voice, then escalates at some points to his mastery of a metal scream.

The next track, "No One Gets Left Behind" could be a theme song for the U.S. Armed Forces, which incidentally all branches of the military get a big thank you in the CD booklet. The song contains a nice "OORAH!!!!" in the bridge of the song...contributing the military theme of the CD.

The fifth sonic adventure, named "Crossing Over," is the first of what could be considered a ballad for FFDP on this album. Sung mainly in a normal singing voice by Moody, this song is sure to catch fire whenever it is released to radio. Not a emo-charged ballad like we see in today's music, it's just a song where FFDP catches their breath. Equivalent in musical intensity to say...an Alter Bridge or new Creed song, Crossing Over is already one of my favorite FFDP songs.

Emphasizing the point of catching a breath, song 6 is pure, raw, unbridled hate. "You think you know me, you dont know SHIT" opens the song. "Burn It Down" was leaked onto the internet about a month ago, and immediately landed a spot on my MP3 player. Even today after going to the local music store and purchasing my copy of the album, "Burn It Down" was one of the first songs that I played today.

After an intense song like Burn It Down, it's time for another ballad. "Far From Home" is a true ballad, opening with soft acoustic guitars and violin music. Although it rises in intensity, Far From Home sounds like a sure shot for Billboard's Mainstream Rock music top 10 chart.

"Falling In Hate," the 8th track, sounds vaguely like a Metallica track from the "Black Album" days. Good stuff here.

Number 9, "My Own Hell" is another example of FFDP not straying from their sound. Sounding similiar to all other FFDP songs, it's a sure hit for hardcore fans.

The song "Walk Away" could very well be one of FFDP's biggest hits if it's released as a single. One of the best examples of modern metal I have ever heard, Walk Away is immediately catchy, lyrically and musically. Not overpowering, but raw in passion, it deserves a spot on anyone's playlist.

Next is an interesting little tune named "Canto 34." An instrumental song, this could be yet another Metallica comparision. Known for having a few instrumentals on their albums, both Metallica and Five Finger Death Punch use these as examples of their musical talents.

One of the nicer surprises, we are next treated to yet another Metallica comparision. A cover of the Band Company's self titled song, "Bad Company" is a very capable cover. Metallica did the same thing back in the day with Bob Seger's tune "Turn The Page." Both turned a slower song into a metal ballad.

The album closer, "War is the Answer," is just as intense as the opener, which is refreshing as most bands close out their CD's with a slow ballad or acoustic number. "How's it feel to be a tool? Motherfucker, war is the answer!" Oh yea....good shit for any metal fan.

I know I'll probably get blasted for this, but Five Finger Death Punch is as close to a modern-day Metallica as we'll ever get. The similarity between the two bands is too much not to notice, and I for one do not care if FFDP is trying to be the new Metallica, as long as they keep putting kick-ass records out, I don't think anyone will care either.