 | | |
| | War Is The Answer | | | Music Artist : | | Five Finger Death Punch | | Music Style : | | Thrash & Speed Metal | | Record Label : | | Prospect Park | | Release Date : | | 2009-09-22 | | Store Price : | | $13.98 | | Artistopia's Price: $12.99 | | Usually ships in 24 hours | | |
|
|
|
|
|
CD Tracks/Songs
Disc 11. Dying Breed
2. Hard To See
3. Bulletproof
4. No One Gets Left Behind
5. Crossing Over
6. Burn It Down
7. Far From Home
8. Falling In Hate
9. My Own Hell
10. Walk Away
11. Canto 34
12. Bad Company
13. War Is The Answer
| |
Other Artist Albums
|
|
|
|
Customer Reviews of This Album/CD |
|
 Five Finger Death Punch - 'War Is The Answer' (Prospect Park)
Submitted on: 2009-11-20 |
|
| Looks to be the Los Angeles metal band's second (of two, so far) releases - do keep in mind a friend encouraged me to check out this title. Not bad for a new band of this genre - tracks I found to be uplifting were "No One Gets Left Behind", the in-your-face "Burn It Down", "Falling In Hate", "Canto 34" plus I appreciated their Paul Rodgers / Simon Kirke cover of "Bad Company" (well done). The band is clearly heavily influenced by Pantera, Korn and possibly Gwar. Personnel: Ivan Moody-vocals, Jason Hook-lead guitar, Zoltan Bathory-rhythm guitar, Matt Snell-bass and Jeremy Spencer-drums. Fans of Napalm Death, Mudvayne, Killswitch Engage, Hatebreed and All That Remains will likely eat this CD up. |
|
|
|
Holy Cringe-Worthy Lyrics, Batman!
Submitted on: 2009-11-04 |
|
All criticisms aside, Five Finger Death Punch have fast become one of the most popular metal bands of late, actually managing to shift physical units while gaining mainstream rock radio play. With their debut album The Way of the Fist combining metalcore and nu-metal influences with a hint of grunge, it's easy to see why the band appeals to so many. With such a successful (and often maligned, mind you) debut, the follow-up can be a tricky one.
"War is the Answer," brought to you by Ozzy Osbourne producer Kevin Churko, finds the band still chipping away at the same style that made them a hit in the first place. The album also finds the band replacing original guitarist Darrell Roberts with Jason Hook, who upon a quick glance of his Wikipedia article, has worked with the likes of Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore and Alice Cooper (?). This change in line-up doesn't change much for the band though, and just as before, the guitar riffs are large and in charge. Even frontman Ivan Moody -- who has proven to be versatile in the past with both Motograter and Ghost Machine -- sticks to his formula of gorgeous melodies, cookie-cutter screams and sometimes cornball lyrics.
In fact, the biggest enemy of "War is the Answer" is Ivan himself. While the band serves up a solid dish of commercial metal, Moody seems stuck in neutral, spewing out angsty lyrics that sound fit for a 15 year-old boy's life soundtrack and less for a grown man with a wealth of life experiences. While such moments were tolerable and often fitting on the first album (especially considering the frontman's struggle to find a stable and successful outlet) it just sounds tired and pathetic. Even worse are the war-themed lyrics and ham-fisted attempts at social commentary on tracks like "No One Gets Left Behind" and the title track.
Thankfully, though, some songs rise above such mediocrity. "Dying Breed" is a powerful opener, contrasting with the pensive "Far From Home." Meanwhile, as expected, tracks like "Hard to See" and "Crossing Over" have the potential of finding radio success much like "The Bleeding" before them. "Canto 34," an instrumental track, is a fine slice of metal that displays all the talent this band has to offer. To top it all off, a surprisingly solid cover of Bad Company's eponymous track manages to update a classic while staying true to form.
In the end, "War is the Answer" succumbs to the typical sophomore jinx. The band fails to experiment in any way, while Ivan seems emotionally crippled as a song-writer. On the surface, it sounds good and rocks hard, but lacks substance. Like many modern releases from the likes of Disturbed or Mudvayne, it's one that is likely to receive heavy play for a brief period of time before sinking to the bottom of the pile. Better luck next time, guys.
|
|
|
|
 5FDP keeps getting better....
Submitted on: 2009-10-29 |
|
| At first I was a little disappointed as the album is not nearly as crunchy as their last effort. But, the more I have listened to it, the more it has grown on me. Their songs that at first disappointed me are the ones I like the best now. This album is definitely one of the best of 2009. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for any metalhead... |
|
|
|
Better then Lamb Of God's new album
Submitted on: 2009-10-25 |
|
| I kid you not this is better then the new Lamb of God album everyone should own this album so stop reading and buy it now. |
|
|
|
War Is The Answer, but whats the question?
Submitted on: 2009-10-08 |
|
I found out about Five Finger Death Punch when i heard "The Bleeding" played on my local radio station for the first time. I loved it so much, i decided to buy the Way of the Fist disc. I put it in and chuckled to myself. It was my first experience in new metal, but the style grew on me rapidly and became one of my favorite discs i have to date.
Two years later, I awaited the release of War is the Answer after hearing "Hard to See". Listening to the entire disc took me three days to finish, due to school and work, but easily made a big impression on me. There is less anger in this disc, and they have introduced a slower style on some tracks (due to the mainstream popularity of The Bleeding.) Nothing will probably top Way of the Fist, but this is a great follow up.
1. Dying Breed 10/10 - Most likely the catchiest chorus i have heard by 5fdp. Instantly became a favorite of mine, just an overall heavy track. The best choice to kick off the album.
2. Hard to See 9/10 - The first single from WITA, and for good reason. Has a great riff and vocals are clean. This song might make them more popular than previous singles from WOTF.
3. Bulletproof 10/10 - This was the second song i heard before the CD was released, and it gave me hope that the old 5FDP style would stick around. Good balance between screaming and singing, one of the heavier tracks off the disc.
4. No One Gets Left Behind 6/10 - Political song that i find good, but nothing too amazing that left me wanting more.
5. Crossing Over 8/10 - The first slow song we come to in the album, pretty depressing lyrics. He has the voice to pull this song off, gets heavier towards the end. Good guitar solo.
6. Burn It Down 7/10 - The only other song i had heard before the release, a great way to kick back into shape after the slower song beforehand. Good song, just not my favorite.
7. Far From Home 10/10 - I'm a fan of 5fdp due to the heavier songs off of WOTF, but this is one great, yet different song. Very slow, no drums / guitar in the beginning. Very sad lyrics, awesome song to listen to after a not-so-great day. Stuck in my head for the past week...
8. Falling In Hate 9/10 - The slowest song of the album is followed by the heaviest, Falling in Hate. No singing, straight up screaming. The riff is kind of haunting but sick. Doesn't seem like they put too much time into this one though. Overall, its one crazy track.
9. My Own Hell 10/10 - Another catchy chorus in this song, but still remains heavy (reminds me of "Can't Heal You" on Way of the Fist). One of the standout tracks to me.
10. Walk Away 5/10 - One more slower song, just doesn't cut it for me. Its alright.
11. Canto 34 6/10 - Never been to interested in instrumentals, so this one is alright. Some good solos, but thats about all.
12. Bad Company 7/10 - Never heard the original, so this is the first time hearing the song. Im guessing its a fairly good cover since my dad likes it. Other than that, its one of the better songs.
13. War is the Answer 8/10 - Basically the same idea as the title track from Way of the Fist, heavy and filled with cursing and anger. Its a good way to end out this roller coaster of an album.
Bonus tracks
- Succubus (10/10) is also known as the unreleased (but leaked) demo "Hate Me". The demo is my one of my favortie 5FDP tracks, and the release is almost the same, except for the guitar solos.
- Undone (5/10) is another unreleased track, nothing in it has really grabbed my attention so far.
Overall, War is the Answer is one great way to follow up Way of the Fist, even though it lacks some of the energy.
|
|
|
|
