Five Finger Death Punch (often abbreviated as 5FDP or FFDP) is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2005.

History

Five Finger Death Punch was formed in 2005 by guitarist Zoltan Bathory (formerly of U.P.O.). Bathory named the band after Chinese action movies. Other members recruited to the band include former Motograter & Ghost Machine vocalist Ivan Moody, former W.A.S.P. members guitarist Darrell Roberts and drummer Jeremy Spencer, and former Anubis Rising/Deadsett bassist Matt Snell.

The band recorded their debut album The Way of the Fist in 2006 with Stevo "Shotgun" Bruno (Mötley Crüe, Prong) and Mike Sarkisyan (Spineshank). The record was mixed and mastered by former Machine Head/Soulfly guitarist Logan Mader. Soon thereafter, the band signed a deal with Firm Music, a branch of "The Firm". Their debut album The Way Of The Fist was released on July 31, 2007. The record broke into the Billboard 200 on its first week of release, and hit the #1 position on Billboard's New Artist/Heetseekers chart. Their first single, "The Bleeding" landed in the top 40 rock radio charts, eventually worked its way into the top 10 and remained there for 8 months. 5FDP not just repeated but surpassed their first single's success with their follow up "Never Enough". The song climbed even faster to top 10, until the 3rd single "Stranger Than Fiction" took its place. The band accomplished 8 major tour cycles supporting their first album, finishing up on the main stage of the 2009 Download Festival - and winning Metal Hammer's Golden Gods Award - for best new band.

The band recently announced that their second album, War Is the Answer, will be released end of August 2009. War is the Answer is co-produced by Kevin Churko (Ozzy) and mixed by Randy Staub (Metallica, Stone Sour).

Members

Current

* Ivan "Ghost" Moody – lead vocals
* Zoltan Bathory – rhythm guitar
* Jason Hook – lead guitar
* Matt Snell – bass
* Jeremy Spencer – drums

Former

* Caleb Bingham – lead guitar (2006–2007)
* Darrell Roberts – lead guitar (2007–2009)