5 Finger Death Punch: War is the Answer

Vitals:

Name: 5 Finger Death Punch

Album: War is the Answer

Release Date:09/22/2009

Label: Firm Music/EMI

Genre: Groove/Thrash/Metal

Walt from WaltInPA.com says:

Back in early January of 2009, I was taking recommendations for intro music for Stogie Review Video Reviews. Someone along the way suggested that I check out a band called 5 Finger Death Punch. At first I was a little skeptical about using music made by a band with such an aggressive name. My concern was that it would turn off viewers.

I wound up checking out the band anyway and was blown away by what I found. The first album, Way of the Fist, was played in my car stereo so many times that I began to wonder if it would wear out and require replacing. I listened to that disc non-stop for weeks before I finally got tired of it and moved on to something new.

A couple of months later I came across a track from the new album playing on Slacker. From then on, I was eagerly awaiting the new album and couldn’t wait to rush out and get it when release time came. In September of 2009, War is the Answer was released and I was checking it out for the first time.

The album kicks off with a track titled “Dying Breed”, which is hard and fast. It does a great job of setting pace for the album while standing apart from the previous album, Way of the Fist. It isn’t that the band sounds different, the music simply seems tighter and better produced.

As you work your way deeper into the album, the pace of the music settles down a bit before ramping back up with “No One Gets Left Behind”. This particular track is loaded with political messages but hits home. Taking the time to listen to the lyrics rather than just jamming out to the song will most likely get your blood boiling.

Progressing further into the disc, the music slowly winds down to what I refer to as the 5 Finger Death Punch Power Ballad,”Far from Home”. While the song is good, it just has a feel about it that it was designed to receive radio airplay and not much else. The vocals on this track, the entire album really, sound great.

Even with a couple of slow tracks thrown into the mix, I think War is the Answer is a solid album. Just like Way of the Fist, this disc spent weeks in my car stereo with constant plays before finally giving up its spot for something new. At no point in the album do I feel the need to skip a track. Sure, there are some songs that I like more than others but overall it is something that can be listened to from start to finish.

Deciding which album I like more than the other is very difficult. Even though the music sounds tighter and better produced on War is the Answer, I kind of like that slightly gritty feel that I got out of Way of the Fist. I think it is safe to say that if you enjoyed the previous album it would be well worth your time to check out the latest by 5 Finger Death Punch.

-Walt

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Please visit WaltInPA.com to check out more reviews and daily blog posts regarding everyday life and leisure. Walt is also co-creator of StogieReview.com and knows a thing or two about cigars. Thanks again for posting this review, Walt!

-Mike \m/