Another album, another lineup change. Surprisingly shedding Matt Snell, aka ‘that dude with the beard’, 5FDP continued recording the follow up to 2009’s War Is The Answer with producer Kevin Churko taking over bass duties. Fortunately, this has not altered the band’s drive or focus and their new effort, American Capitalist, lives up to the standards they have previously set. Their fi rst album, The Way Of The Fist, presented a new take on the ‘aggressive metal band with heartfelt songs’. Having found their sound on the fi rst album, the band didn’t alter the formula for their second…and it’s a similar story on this new release.
Much like Lamb of God or AC/DC, 5FDP have found their tone and seem to have no intentions on changing. Sonically, the album is brilliant. Low tuned – drop b – guitars start chugging along, followed by some of the best sounding drums I have heard on a metal album. Once the vocals kick in it becomes apparent the mix on this album was a priority. Not that the mixes on their last album sucked, but American Capitalist sounds thick and chunky while retaining an organic and un-clipped sound. Ivan Moody’s vocals are clear and defi ned, whether he is screaming his throat out or singing cleanly. His voice has always been solid, but like everything else on this album, it it sounds better than before.
The songs are exactly what you would expect from this band. There are hook laden tracks like Back For More and Under And Over It, which will surely get stuck in your head. American Capitalist, If I Fall and Menace are unrelenting, but Moody still gets to shows his versatility on the softer tracks Coming Down and Remember Everything.
Whilst I dig this album, 5FDP are like Vegemite. If you like it, you will stack it on. If not, you should probably steer clear.
BY OSCAR SCHIESSER
Best Track: Back For More
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: DISTURBED, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
In A Word: Fisted
