The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell, Volume 1

2013's The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Vol. 1 is the fourth full-length studio album by the American Metal band Five Finger Death Punch; It was produced by Kevin Churko (who produced and played bass on their third album, American Capitalist) and as its name implies is one part of a two album set, with part two set to be released separately afterwards.Five Finger Death Punch aren't a band for elitists, they aren't a band for snobs. If you've ever insulted a band for being `posers' or `mallcore' or criticized a band for its image rather than its music then they are definitely something you should avoid.What they specialize in is simple, memorable and catchy Metal that is entertaining and enjoyable. They walk a fine line between being too heavy for the radio and yet too light for underground credibility. Equally some of their song titles, lyrics, stage banter and merchandise isn't always the most tasteful and artistic in the world but they know what they are doing musically. The band know how to write good songs, filled with crunchy riffs, great solos, vocal parts you can sing along with and melodies that get stuck in your head for days.The direction of their sound is a sort of clean, crisp and deceptively heavy mixture between Hard Rock, the less Grungey or Industrial sides of Alternative Metal and those occasional commercial radio-Metal singles by heavier bands. Imagine a mixture between Vulgar era Pantera, Vol. 3 era Slipknot and Indestructible era Disturbed and you'll get a vague ballpark idea of their sound.All of their albums so far have been in a similar direction, with changes happening slowly and logically between albums, so while their debut was a bit faster and a little more Metalcore influenced than their last album for example, you can always tell within a few seconds that its Five Finger Death Punch you're listening to. They are distinctive and they have a clear formula. This new album is no different. Its not an exact copy of what's came before and yet if you've heard a Five Finger Death Punch album before, then you'll know more or less what to expect from this.Tracks like the opener `Lift Me Up,' the speedy `Burn MF' and the ridiculously catchy `You' cover the same ground that the band have covered before, again, but remarkably well, and `Wrong Side Of Heaven' and `M.I.N.E (End This Way)' provide the softer side of the album that fans will have come to expect by now. With such a successful formula there was no real need to experiment too far away just yet, but the band did a really good job of creating fresh and different sounding material without abandoning their core sound.That being said; there are a few surprises though, like slightly electronic undertones on `Watch You Bleed' and the ever-so-mildly progressive `Anywhere But Here' & `Diary Of A Deadman.' Its not a million miles away from the band's usual direction, but it is a change nonetheless. Just like there are vocal patterns and riff types dotted around the record that you haven't heard the band try before. Small changes, gradually and over time.Similarly, while Five Finger Death Punch are not strangers to cover songs, (Faith No More, Pantera, Bad Company) this album contains something of a curveball choice, in a cover of LL Cool J's `Mama Said Knock You Out.'The album also contains guest appearances from other artists; with Rob Halford of Judas Priest singing on the opener `Lift Me Up,' as well as Maria Brink of In This Moment guesting on `Anywhere But Here' and hip hop artist Tech N9ne guesting on aforementioned unexpected cover song. If you get the bonus tracks you'll also find Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta singing on another version of album closer `Dot Your Eyes,' and Max Cavelera on an alternative version of `I.M Sin'.Overall; this is a very good record. It mightn't win over any haters, but as a Five Finger Death Punch album it absolutely hits all the right spots, and still manages to take you on a few unexpected journeys. If you already like the band, it serves up more of what you want (bouncy, infectious songs in the band's usual style, with choruses you'll probably sing all summer, solos that will put a smile on your face, and an ear pleasing production) and it serves it all up to a very high standard.

Heavy metal is for outsiders, we know that. Its aggression and subversive ideology ensure its anchorage to the underground, regardless of the offshoots which break the mainstream from time to time. That's the reason it will last a lifetime, but take a moment to consider the people swept up by those commercial trends, the fans for whom the passing of time has dragged them kicking and screaming from the music they loved. Nu metal is a prime example. While the more recent phenomenon of commercial metalcore continues to pump out fringed riff-peddlers some eight years on, it's been slim pickings for the brutish, protein-shake types since the turn of the millennium. Although Five Finger Death Punch play a much updated and far from pure version of what nu metal was (they notably feature guitar solos, previously the genre's kryptonite) the all-American stars fill the gap perfectly. They're heroes.

Great album from a great group

This band are brilliantThis cd is brilliantI am very late to this bandI have now brought 4 more cds

Great

So far I have purchased every Five Finger Death Punch album, enjoyed songs such as "The Bleeding, The way of the Fist, Dying Breed, Far From Home, Under and Over it...etc" so needless to say I couldn't wait when I saw a new album was being released.I began listening to the album and thought... "Ok, they've started taking on other bands vocalists now" (Avenged Sevenfold)I find this an all too common trait with Metal albums. It spoils the music for me as I like artists to be original, not have 3/4 special guests added into an album.About 2/3 songs are repeated but remixed which I felt could be saved for Volume 2 as bonus material. Even though I have had this album since release, I haven't found a single catchy tune that I can sing along to.I was expecting much more, but the album seems very solemn and slow instead of the fast pace I am used to in other 5FDP songs.

AWESOME!5FDP IS MY FAVOURITE BAND. EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM IS SO COOL; THEIR IMAGE, THEIR ATTITUDE AND THEIR MUSIC. EVERY SONG MEANS SOMETHING AND IS FUELED BY THEIR PASSION FOR HEAVY METAL. THESE GUYS ARE INSANE AT MAKING YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF. NO MATTER WHAT MOOD I'M IN, 5FDP HAS A SONG TO SUIT.I HAVE ALL OF THEIR ALBUMS ( INCLUDING ALL OF THE DELUXE ALBUMS ) AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR VOLUME 2!KEEP IT UP 5FDP, YOU GUYS ARE GODS OF HEAVY METAL!

Catchy with great rifts and heavy guitars, 5FDP have done it again! Really enjoy the diversity of the album with some thoughtful lyrics and more tonal songs through to the crunching metal that typically defines the band. Great work with other artists on the album too.In the deluxe version a live cd is included which is worth the extra bit of money- if you have never seen this band live, you really should make it a priority and this cd will show you why! Brilliant! \+/