Five Finger Death Punch releases its eighth studio album, titled F8, on Friday (February 28th). The follow-up to 2018's And Justice For None caps a turbulent period for the group in which singer Ivan Moody finally got sober after a near-fatal struggle with addiction, while co-founding drummer Jeremy Spencer bowed out of the band due to physical issues.
Guitarist Zoltan Bathory told us the band felt a different kind of vibe when it finally got into the studio to make F8: “After eight records, I don't think we have to say, 'Well, we are here to stay.' But there was this image of getting into the studio and 'Let's light this on fire.' This was this different sort of power, this different sort of energy that was driving us.”
Much of F8's lyrical content deals with Moody's battle with addiction, its aftermath and his recovery. The singer will celebrate two years of sobriety next month.
Jeremy Spencer announced his departure from Five Finger Death Punch in December 2018 after going through two back surgeries and sitting out a tour. His replacement is Charlie “The Engine” Engen, who makes his recording debut with the band on F8.
Five Finger Death Punch launches a spring North American tour on April 8th in Sunrise, Florida.