In starting; Wow.
Five Finger Death Punch are indeed a sonic war machine of sorts, and American Tragedy only cements this further. One wouldn't describe modern (largely) as "clever" or "mature", but this album certainly is. Five Finger have certain "no bull" type approach to their music, and from the opening moments and growls, I could tell one of the year's finest was coming. Many years of hard work and middle fingers have come together to birth this, c'mon and feel their noize.
The opening track is hard and fast, setting the tone perfectly. Guitarists Zoltan Bathory and Jason Hook are sick. They create a low, death metal sound and trade off time signatures so effectively. The beastly riffs can be a tad repetitive, but the low tuning really does make up for it. This album is also a lot more solo friendly. They're more pronounced, more respected. They're beautiful, roaring, explosive, great. They remind me of 80s heavy metal solos of yore, and are integrated perfectly to the growling, crunching frenzy. There are also more acoustic intros on American Capitalist than on previous Five Finger Death Punch albums. It gives it a more intelligent feel, but keeping the brutality. The guitar work here is truly something to be admired.
The rhythm! Oh, the rhythm is tight. The bass/drum sync is spot-on brilliant and makes this album so amazing. Chris Kael makes a wonderful debut, and gets his own little solo on" Generation Dead", even! Jeremy Spencer delivers a brutal double-bass drum pummeling. He too gets his little moment on the title track. But, i do wish we got maybe some slightly more aggressive drums, but is hectic enough to please. The rhythm section does get a little repetitive (yet amazingly synced), that said.
The lyrics and vocals are great as ever. Ivan Moody continues to live up to his name, delivering angry throaty growls and clean, harmonic vocals. The lyrics are aggressive and angry. The growling hate-filled verses come and kick your skull in, and the clean, harmonized vocals come in and finish the job with an equal amount of sheer aggression. The lyrics are both really angry, and highly intelligent. I'd go so far as to describe some of it as poetry. In short, my ears hurt.
"Under and Over It" is the first single, and it's a brilliant example to sum up FFDP. It's full of all the anger and aggression, fast paced drums, sizable riffs, and some deep, catchy lyrics. "The Pride" is a brilliant list song, as Mr. Moody runs down pop culture icons and brand names. It's the most blatant about commercialism, and a sarcastic comment on our materialistic obsession. These guys have perfected every sonic element for sure.
"Coming Down" is the first softer, acoustic song on Capitalist. It's a music suicide note that's touching, as well as FFDP tough. Moody's voice reaches new heights, and Bathony/Hook top things off nicely with some wicked distortion.
"OHHHHHH YEAHHHHHH!! **** IT.", screams Moody before we are bludgeoned by the brilliant double-bass stomp and the guitarists curb stomp you into submission. The bass/drum sync really do shine here, and the solo fits in so perfectly. One of the heaviest tracks, and it's catchy, but "Menace" ends, and the groovy bass and guitar distortion lead nicely into "Generation Dead".
FFDP get "real" with "I Remember Everything" which beings with Moody bearing his soul and flaws in a letter to his family. It slowly builds up to a true "sky full of lighters" (sky full of iPhones?) chorus. Honest as it gets.
"Wicked Ways" is super catchy and sort of punky in its own way. "If I Fall" is another good example of everything FFDP. It starts out with a slow intro, then blasts into a full on assault of thee aforementioned double-bass and hyperspace-speed riff, while Moody spits out "If I Fall, I'm dragging everybody down."
"100 Ways to Hate" is a metallic, atomic assault. Everything gets caught in the mushroom cloud. It's a giant middle finger to all y'all haters, and ends poetically with an "eff you".
American Capitalist is easily the best Five Finger Death Punch album. They seem more confident, and have perfected their sound. It's a brilliant assault of all things great about heavy metal. "Bass drum kick that'll blow out your eyes", lightspeed, low riffs, excellent solos. It has poetic, intelligent, angry lyrics with some great gruff verses and epic, harmonic choruses. I think it's the best album of the year. Haters gonna hate.
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