Album review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell – Volume 2

Eleven Seven Music [Release date 18.11.13]

This album is the second instalment of Five Finger Death Punch’s masterplan to dominate the top spot in my end of year best of album round up. ‘Volume 1’ released earlier this year gained a five star review and has become a firm family favourite, which is just as well because when it’s on the volume tends to go all the way to eleven!

So can ‘Volume 2’ maintain the same quality as the first or are these the outtakes from ‘Volume 1’? It takes all of two minutes of opening track ‘Here To Die’ to convince you that this is no mere outtake collection, this is a full on, quality release.

The twelve tracks on offer here are top notch ranging from the bombastic metal of ‘Battle Born’, which was the lead track from the album, and ‘Let This Go’ to the quiet reflection of ‘The Agony Of Regret’ and ‘Cold’.

One thing that sets FFDP apart from the other up and coming metal bands is the vocal performance of Ivan Moody. Moody has fantastic vocal dexterity and covers all bases from soft and subtle to metal god with ease, the fact that he is also one of the best live frontmen on the circuit is a bonus. The rest of the band though are well up to the task and as a complete package FFDP are about as good as it gets. As my son put it ‘how can songs about hate and war be so damned catchy?’

If I have to be critical, and let’s face it that’s what a balanced review is all about, then the final track which is a cover of ‘House Of The Rising Sun’ isn’t quite up to standard. To be fair the original is not one of my favourite tracks and the guys do make a good fist of bringing the track up to date, however next to their cover of ‘Bad Company’ it doesn’t make the same impact. I am however splitting hairs here.

Let’s face it, if you loved ‘Volume 1’ you are going to love ‘Volume 2’ just as much. The fact that FFDP have managed to release two albums of this quality and integrity within the space of a few months is a staggering achievement.

****

Review by David Wilson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)