Death Punch will fight on

BAND’S SOBERING TALE

THEY’RE one of the biggest metal bands in the world, but addiction almost destroyed Five Finger Death Punch.

The US rockers released F8 this week, their first album since frontman Ivan Moody returned to the fold after getting sober.

At one point they considered calling it quits but the new music saved them.

Founding guitarist Zoltan Bathory explained: “We’ve had difficult moments, most notably Ivan’s addiction. At one point we even thought of ending Five Finger Death Punch.

“But Ivan managed to conquer that. F8 marks a resurrection. It’s a real progression. The fans who have followed us for the longest time are getting to know us all over again.

“All the elements are still there, there’s our sound. But there’s something else, something different, like we’ve become a different group.

There’s a new energy, it’s positive and our music is more than varied than before.”

The band had to tour with replacement singer Tommy Vext when Ivan finally went to rehab after years of erratic behaviour.

“We tried to help Ivan as much as possible but it all depended on his own strength,” said Zoltan.

“I couldn’t do the work for him. It was like seeing my real brother suffering. At first I couldn’t understand.

“When I saw him in a dreadful way I would say, ‘Why can’t you just stop?’

“I didn’t fully understand addiction. It’s a very real sickness. It’s hard to kick and everyone’s metabolism works differently.

“I became more empathetic and I’m so happy for Ivan. Once he decided to enter rehab he became a new man. It gave us the stability that we needed.”

Fifteen years into their career, if anything the experience has made FFDP closer.

The guitarist agreed, saying: “When you go through hard times it makes you stronger.

“We threw all our emotions, as honestly as possible, into the music. There are no outside influences. Ivan has been sober two years.”

F8 is out now.