The Knockout Blow With ZOLTAN BATHORY From FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH

Interview by Angela Croudace
The metal landscape changed forever in 2005 when a hard rock/metal
outfit called Five Finger Death Punch took their first tentative
steps in music from Las Vegas. A town normally more known for its
casinos and nightlife, Las Vegas was soon forced to share its
traditional draw cards with an unrelenting and destructive sonic
force that refused to watch the world pass them by, instead
deciding to make their presence felt by any means necessary.
Led by the only two surviving original members - vocalist Ivan
Moody and rhythm guitarist Zoltan Bathory - Five Finger Death Punch
quickly rose to prominence, with their 2007 debut album The Way Of
The Fist selling over 500,00 copies before the 2009 follow-up War
Is the Answer further increased their popularity, selling over
1,000,000 copies and being certified Platinum by the RIAA. The
bands next five albums - American Capitalist, The Wrong Side of
Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 (2013), The Wrong
Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2 (2013), Got
Your Six (2015), plus And Justice for None (2018) have all been
certified Platinum or Gold, elevating Five Finger Death Punch into
the upper echelon of hard rock/metal bands.
To celebrate their plethora of achievements over the last two
decades, which include victories in esteemed awards such as
Revolver Golden Gods and Metal Hammer Golden Gods, Five Finger
Death Punch are releasing Best Of – Volume 1, a collection of
re-recorded versions of their most iconic chart-topping songs. The
idea of a remix or remaster wasn't enough, so the band created a
completely re-recorded 2025 edition to honour the songs and the
fans who have made them matter by being with Five Finger Death
Punch every step of the way.
HEAVY had the pleasure of spending time with Zoltan Bathory to get
a glimpse inside the world of Five Finger Death Punch and 20 years
at the top of their game. We ask him to look back at the early days
and the point where he felt Five Finger Death Punch were destined
for success.
"When you say it's going to last… we didn't know," he laughed. "We
did have a moment, however, where we kind of knew that we had
something. It was in the very beginning when we went to the studio
to record our first vocal takes. The first record was done in my
living room, the whole thing (laughs), so young bands out there,
you can do it! We did it in my house, then went to the studio and
recorded the first couple of songs, then we went back to my house,
and we had a Beavis & Butthead moment. Me and Ivan were jamming
and thrashing around in my living room, kicking over couches,
screaming 'this is it, it's gonna happen'. So we had that early on.
As for how long it's gonna last… I mean, even now I look back and
go 'oh my God, 20 years'. It's crazy (laughs)."
In the full interview, Zoltan talks more about the history of Five
Finger Death Punch, their success, the new best of album and
re-recording old material, their loyal fan base, plus plenty
more.

Become a supporter of this podcast:
https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.