Five Finger Death Punch
US metal band delivers tough homage to rap legend DMX
Five Finger Death Punch resurrects rapper DMX, who died in 2021, in their new video.
© Better Noise Music
In their new song “This is The Way”, the metalheads Five Finger Death Punch resurrect the late rap legend DMX.
Before the US metal band Five Finger Death Punch embarks on an extensive European tour at the end of May, they are causing a small musical sensation today, April 5th, with the release of a digital deluxe edition of their album “AfterLife”. In addition to three acoustic versions of album songs, the deluxe edition also includes the new song “This Is The Way” as a bonus track – a genre-busting power track that has a longer story to tell.
Posthumous collaboration with cult rapper DMX
The basis for the musical crossover work was previously unreleased vocals by rapper DMX (1970-2021), who died in 2021 at the age of 50, and who wrote music history during his lifetime with energetic gangsta and hardcore rap. The death of the New York hip-hop icon caused great consternation in the music world at the time and continues to make waves today. On April 2, 2021, the musician was admitted to hospital after a heart attack as a result of an overdose, where he died on April 9.
It is therefore no coincidence that Five Finger Death Punch released the posthumous collaboration with their declared favorite rapper shortly before the third anniversary of his death. As guitarist and band founder Zoltán Bathory (46) emphasized, the band wanted to create a personal memorial to the late rap icon in an experimental musical homage.
“This Is The Way”: Homage to a legend
“We’ve always enjoyed mixing genres, be it the remake of LL COOL J’S ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ featuring Tech N9ne, or our collaborations with blues icon Kenny Wayne Shepherd, country star Brantley Gilbert and guitar legend Brian May from Queen,” said Bathory. “The idea of collaborating with DMX had been discussed for years, and it was a long and winding road to bring this particular item on our wish list to reality. He was a lyrical fighter and a true original who was unerring in his opinion said. We’ve always considered DMX the ‘metalhead of hip-hop’ because of his aggressive, raw and untamed style.” “This Is The Way” is more than just a song, but rather a tribute to a legend and “a way to honor DMX’s memory.”
Platinum rain and tour dates with Metallica
Five Finger Death Punch can’t complain about a lack of success at the moment. In fact, the band is happy about three new platinum awards in the USA for some of their most popular releases, such as the 2015 hit album “Got Your Six” or the one with Queen guitarist Brian May (76) and blues rocker Kenny Wayne Shepherd (46) recorded cover piece “Blue On Black”. They already completed a US stadium tour alongside Metallica in 2023, and this year there will be further stadium dates with the metal megastars on their extensive European tour between May 23rd and July 14th. In addition, there are several headline arena shows with the metalcore colleagues Ice Nine Kills and appearances at selected major festivals on the program. In this country, the band will be seen live on May 26th in Munich, June 3rd in Hanover, June 18th in Frankfurt, June 25th in Oberhausen and July 11th in Stuttgart.