Every once in a while, an album breaches the threshold of music and breaks into haircare, making you wish you had longer hair so you can headbang better. Five Finger Death Punch has come out with such an album. "The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1" hit the shelves on Tuesday, and fans have a lot to look forward to if they are looking to purchase this gem.
Starting off, just like this band always does, its jumps right into the thick of its in-your-face, take-no-s--t attitude. "Lift Me Up" is its lead off for the album. The song draws you in with an amazing double kick-drum that gets your blood pumping, guitarist Zoltán Báthory chimes in with perfect timing that gets you jumping, and Ivan Moody's vocals are rough, rugged, and at times, raunchy. "Lift Me Up" is motivational, talking about how one can never make them stay down no matter how badly they are beaten. This was a wonderful choice for starting off the album.
Moving to the middle of the album, we are brought back down after three more hard-hitting, confrontational tracks. The song "Wrong Side of Heaven" poses some real debatable questions. One of those questions being, what happens when one is sitting on the wrong side of heaven and the good side of hell. In the song they refer to God as a woman, and the devil as a man. Edgy stuff.
Moving toward the end of the album, we are brought back into the hardcore nature of this band. They are tough, they are mean, and you can be sure they will pump you up if you need. They play fast, hard, and are perfect for any party. Perhaps one of the more clever of these songs is "I.M.Sin." It starts off like any other rock song, with a fast guitar riff along with fast drums. The lyrics in the song are difficult, and when they hit your ears, it makes you think.
Overall this album is interesting on one front in particular. Most hard rock albums like this one are filled with songs that talk about drugs, drinking, sex... the usual areas. This one does the same but to a much lesser degree. Instead, they spend more of their time raising philosophical questions for their listeners, while delivering them in a way that most hard rock fans can get onboard with.
What are your thoughts on "The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1"? Did you find the lyrics to "Wrong Side of Heaven" controversial or right on? Let us know in the comment section!
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