Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Zoltan Bathory revealed the band’s tumultuous early years in a recent interview with 93XRadio.
Bathory reflected on the band’s 20-year history. He detailed the extent of their controversial behavior during the group’s first decade and a half.
“Here’s the thing, this band was pretty much out of control for the first 15 years of its existence,” Bathory admitted. “I had to hide it from the world that these guys were out of control to the point where it was like, ‘Man, I don’t know how long this can survive.’ It was completely out of control.”
The guitarist shared a specific example of their past conduct that highlighted severe consequences.
“There was plenty of those clusterf*ck moments,” he continued. “There was a time we were banned from four different airlines. Some of the airlines, we still can’t fly. They banned us for life. There were a time when four different airlines we were banned from at the same time. So if we wanted to go somewhere, we kind of had to route the tour.”
The band now celebrates their 20th anniversary. They have come a long way from their turbulent early days.
Bathory’s candid admission illuminates the band’s complicated history. Their journey has been marked by various challenges and personnel changes since their formation.
Metal Storm documented that Bathory formed the band in 2005. He assembled the original lineup with vocalist Ivan Moody, drummer Jeremy Spencer, bassist Matt Snell, and guitarist Caleb Andrew Bingham.
The band’s first 15 years were particularly turbulent. Five Finger Death Punch’s official website noted a critical moment in 2016. Frontman Ivan Moody experienced a public meltdown during a concert in Tilburg, Netherlands. This incident led to a temporary band hiatus.
The period of instability brought significant lineup changes. Original drummer Jeremy Spencer left in 2018 due to health issues. The band also went through multiple guitarist transitions. These changes progressed from Caleb Andrew Bingham to Darrell Roberts, then to Jason Hook, and finally to Andy James.
The band successfully established themselves in the metal scene despite these challenges. Loudwire reported their 2007 debut album, “The Way of the Fist,” made a significant impact. The record showcased their old-school metal influences and built the foundation for their future success.
