Review by Phil Rozier for MPM
So, Five Finger Death Punch. In my relatively naive opinion, ‘Wash It All Away’, is one of the greatest hard rock tracks ever written. Released in around 2015 I think (I’ve not fact checked the date, it’s not important to my storey!). Anyhoo, released some time ago, the main part of my storey being, I didn’t actually hear it until around 2021. During a period of life where I was understanding music, and not just listening to it, I came across the video for ‘Wash it All Away’. With huge characters, vine like beards, and pyrotechnics galore, it was a video to behold. With personally gripping lyrics, that track instantly got me thinking ‘where have I been and how come I haven’t seen these guys before’.
So with the invention of modern technology, I jump on the tinterweb, and within minutes, I’m getting tickets to see them at Wembley Arena. How could a band, so good, with a such a following, selling out Wembley, seem to go by unnoticed from my rock loving world? Well, it turns out they’re not unnoticed. Far from it. Selling multiple platinum albums, and attracting 8 billion streams, 5FDP are way more ahead of the game than I expected.
Which is why, now in July 2025, I’m honoured to be giving their latest release a whirl. A collection of greatest hits from the past 20 years, remastered or rerecorded, the next 1hour and 8 minutes, and 17 songs, should be an absolute joy.
So, let’s crank it up to 11, and let Ivan and his gang of pirates entertain my brain.
‘Under and Over It’ bangs out instant headbanging with its palm muting and raucous drums. I’m a sucker for a banging beat, triplets, and double bass drum. And this delivers a superb percussive complement to the angry and aggressive lyrics.
5FDP are renowned for their tackling of factually depressive mindsets, but counter acted with progressive, positive affirmations of telling the world to go do one. And I love that! Like the best motivation therapy, ‘Wash it All Away’ absolutely nails what 5FDP are all about as track 2. ‘Wasting here, can anyone, wash it all away?’ ‘I’m waiting here, for anyone, to wash it all away’. Trust me, I’ve been there. And it’s relatable tracks like this that have created such a huge following across the globe.
Whilst aggressive in terms of looks and sound, 5FDP deliver their message with a heavy hint of pop structure to their tunes, making their music applicable on a grander scale than some heavier metal bands. ‘Battle Born’ and the softer ‘I Refuse’ create a break in the aggressive attitude, with Ivan’s voice being deeply soft and touching in parts. Getting lost in the swaying of arms, and the visible tears in grown men’s eyes, if you’ve been to a 5FDP show, then these tracks take you back to Wembley and the collective family audience.
‘Jekyll and Hide’ is another great relatable track for anyone that has their inner demons to deal with. Let’s face it, even those with the most stable of existences will always be challenged with some aspects of life, and allowing that inner voice to be heard is essential, even for the hardiest of rockers.
As with all greatest hits albums, these tracks aren’t new, so I can’t pretend to be hearing them, for the first time. But, ‘Wrong side of Heaven’ is a steady reminder of what 5FDP are famed for, and this track delivers solid heavy rock every time I hear it.
Another thing synonymous over the years with 5FDP is their ability to cover some previously almost untouchable tracks. ‘House of the Rising Sun’ – can you turn that into an aggressive modern day hard hitting banger? Most would say that’s a tough challenge, but Five Finger pull it off seamlessly. As if the track is brand new, they balance power with the gentile, blending history with the current. Adding to the quiver of covers, is ‘Gone Away’ (absolute tearjerker even from when I heard the Offspring play it first in my ears all those years ago), and the early rock classic ‘Bad Company’. All 3 tracks I’d play on repeat, regardless of creator, as these pumped-up versions mix creativity with soul.
As the album draws towards the latter quartile, we’re treated to 3 live performances, unique to this release I assume. Powerful, emotional, impactful. Live is really where this band come out to play, and the last tracks, ‘Trouble’, ‘Welcome to the Circus’ (a personal rip-roaring favourite noise of a tune!!), and bringing the record to a close is ‘The Bleeding’.
The opening line of ‘Welcome to the Circus’ – ‘welcome to the shit show…’ Don’t put yourself down lads, you really shouldn’t. Your 20 years has been well spent, well loved, and hugely respected. To blend the anger of reality with the softness of balance that all hearts and minds need, isn’t easy. Especially in this denim sporting, face piercing, head tattooed culture we love to dwell in.
I note this is Volume 1 by title, I assume Volume 2 will follow. It bloody better do.
A special-edition merchandise collection to commemorate the band’s 20th anniversary is also available now in the band’s official webstore — available now at the band’s official webstore HERE.
“Best Of – Volume 1” – TRACK LISTING
- Under and Over It (2025 Version)
- Wash It All Away (2025 Version)
- Battle Born (2025 Version)
- I Refuse (feat. Maria Brink of In This Moment) (2025 Version)
- Jekyll and Hyde (2025 Version)
- Wrong Side of Heaven (2025 Version)
- Lift Me Up (2025 Version)
- Far From Home (2025 Version)
- Bad Company (2025 Version)
- House of the Rising Sun (2025 Version)
- Gone Away (2025 Version)
- Remember Everything (2025 Version)
- Coming Down (2025 Version)
- The Bleeding (2025 Version)
- Trouble (Live)
- Welcome To The Circus (Live)
- The Bleeding (Live)
Five Finger Death Punch – 2025 Tour Dates:
7/17/2025 – Milwaukee, WI @ Fiserv Forum
7/18/2025 – Cadott, WI @ Rock Fest
7/20/2025 – Mansfield, OH @ INKcarceration Festival
8/4/2025 – Sturgis, SD @ Buffalo Chip Campground
8/9/2025 – Anchorage, AK @ Sullivan Arena
8/29/2025 – Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma
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