Five Finger Death Punch Tour Review: 5FDP + In This Moment Ignite Soaring Eagle

2019-07-16

Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Jason Hook – Photos and review by Anne Erickson

Review + photos: Five Finger Death Punch performed a fiery, high-octane set on tour at Soaring Eagle in Michigan

Las Vegas rockers Five Finger Death Punch have been holed up in the studio, working on their next big album, but with summer concert season in full swing, the guys are taking a break to headline amphitheaters across North America.

The band’s summer tour, which the guys refer to ask their “We Are Supposed to Be In the Studio Right Now 2019 Summer Tour,” reached Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Saturday (July 13). The sold-out show was one of the first dates on their summer run.

Texas metal act Fire from the Gods opened the show, and then, Five Finger Death Punch tour mates In This Moment took over for a full set. Dramatically entering the stage at 8 p.m., Maria Brink and her In This Moment band mates brought the kind of theatrics and excitement fans have come to expect from the dark metal band. Brink underwent multiple wardrobe changes throughout the set, and all of her costumes were elegant and conveyed her “metal goddess” aura. The Los Angeles band performed their full roster of singles, including “Blood,” “Whore,” “Big Bad Wolf” and more, and closed out their set with a sea of confetti in the air.

Five Finger Death Punch took the stage around 9:30 p.m., and from the get-go, it was obvious the crowd of more than 12,000 was in for a fiery treat. Singer Ivan Moody, guitarists Jason Hook and Zoltan Bathory, bass player Chris Kael and new drummer Charlie Engen launched into high-octane versions of their hit songs “Lift Me Up” and “Under and Over It,” complete with sheets of pyro, firecrackers and bright, colorful stage lights. Even with all the stage flair, the guys of Five Finger Death Punch were the focal point of the show, never once getting drowned out by the fiery festivities.

While much of Five Finger Death Punch’s set was plugged in and amped up, this is a band known for their dynamics, and one of the most refreshing moments of the night was when Hook sat down with an acoustic guitar to play the band’s current chart-topper, a cover of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd song “Blue on Black,” as well as a heartfelt version of “Wrong Side of Heaven,” powered by Moody’s emotive vocals.

As the set continued, the audience was treated to one hit after another, from the band’s popular cover tunes (“Gone Away,” “Bad Company”) to familiar originals such as “Remember Everything” and “The Bleeding.” An eye-bugging moment happened when Hook was raised what looked to be 20 feet into the air on platform during his main guitar solo. Fans gasped at the spectacle and breathed a sign of relief when Hook was safely lowered back to the stage.

If there was a theme for the night, it was family. Moody gushed about his loyal band mates, saying that through all the hard times, in the end, “We are family,” and the guys of Five Finger Death Punch are blood.

Five Finger Death Punch brought the perfect mix of muscle and emotion to the tour, as well as session player-level instrumentation and vocals. These thrilling live shows are why Five Finger Death Punch is one of the most successful and sought-after bands in the world of modern hard rock and metal.

Five Finger Death Punch vocalist Ivan Moody at Soaring Eagle in Michigan. By Anne Erickson

Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Jason Hook on tour. By Anne Erickson

Five Finger Death Punch bassist Chris Kael at Soaring Eagle in Michigan. By Anne Erickson

Five Finger Death Punch vocalist Ivan Moody on tour. By Anne Erickson

Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Zoltan Bathory at Soaring Eagle in Mount Pleasant. By Anne Erickson

Five Finger Death Punch drummer Charlie Engen on tour. By Anne Erickson

In This Moment vocalist Maria Brink at Soaring Eagle in Mount Pleasant. By Anne Erickson

In This Moment bassist Travis Johnson on tour. By Anne Erickson

In This Moment guitarist Chris Howorth on tour. By Anne Erickson

In This Moment vocalist Maria Brink on tour. By Anne Erickson

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based music reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, Loudwire.com and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.