Album Review: Five Finger Death Punch - F8

The lead-up to F8's creation featured more drama within the Five Finger Death Punch ranks than a Real Housewives reunion.

Sometimes a little turbulence is what’s needed to shake a band out of creative stagnation. That isn't really the case here – the melodic metallers have a well-honed formula they largely adhere to – but said events have afforded them considerable inspiration. Catchy Inside Out in particular sees vocalist Ivan Moody exorcising demons; after his addiction struggles, you'd have to be churlish to deny him such an opportunity. The singer's delivery on aggressive This Is War is among the most incensed he's been. Mother May I (Tic Toc) also adopts the Serenity Prayer. Conversely, there are songs like Full Circle containing the kind of cringe-inducing lines that afford the group's detractors plenty of ammunition.

Musically, F8 holds to their established groove-metal meets nu-metal crossed with homogenised radio-rock tack. For those not already converted, the results are unlikely to change minds. Sure it's meat and potatoes, and at times tedious with calculated balladeering and more accessible moments carefully inserted in the appropriate places. But for the already enamoured, the cooking will remain satisfying. Leave It All Behind and Scar Tissue pack choruses and hefty riffs machine-tooled for arenas, while Darkness Settles In injects the melodic (ahem) punch to ensure airplay.

With plenty of Gold and Platinum records on their walls, and an army of rusted-on fans who will stream these songs (even naff bonus track Death Punch Therapy) by the millions, this is a band nigh on critic-proof.