American Capitalist

iTunes Review

Only Five Finger Death Punch could somehow make sense out of selling an album that denounces buying stuff. Of course its third LP, American Capitalist, doesn’t take itself all too seriously, as evidenced by the humorous cover art. Conversely, the group is taking the evolution of its music very seriously. With producer Kevin Churko replacing Matt Snell on bass, Five Finger Death Punch has crystallized its prior leanings toward grungy metalcore. The title track opens with all the rev and muscle of an old KISS song before Ivan Moody comes in singing like he’s channeling the bygone ghosts of grunge into one set of vocal chords. But what’s most impressive here is the dueling guitar harmonics recalling Iron Maiden’s heyday. The standout single “Under and Over It” pumps out the kind of metal that sounds best blasting from a Trans Am’s speakers. Over a brutal riff barrage and pummeling rhythms, Moody’s lyrics respond to all those who’ve said that success has changed him.