The Way of the Fist
Encyclopedia
The Way of the Fist is the debut studio album by American heavy metal
band Five Finger Death Punch
, released on July 31, 2007. The album sold 3,800 copies in its first week of release The Way of the Fist made its Billboard 200
debut on August 18, 2007 at #199 and peaked at #107. It has been certified gold for selling in excess of 500,000 copies as of April 1 2010.
, California
to record The Way of the Fist. The album was recorded with Stevo "Shotgun" Bruno (Mötley Crüe
, Prong) and Mike Sarkisyan (Spineshank
) and was mixed by former Machine Head
and Soulfly
guitarist Logan Mader
. Shortly after they signed a deal with Firm Music, a branch of "The Firm
". It was released on July 31, 2007, selling 5,400 copies in its first week of release to debut at #199 on the Billboard 200
chart and peaked at #107. The album sold an additional 1,400 copies in digital downloads its first week of release.
", "Stranger Than Fiction
", and an acoustic version of "The Bleeding
". The three songs could also be obtained on the band's website by anyone who had purchased a copy of the original release of the album.
", "Never Enough
", and "Stranger Than Fiction
".
Additional musicians
Production
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Five Finger Death Punch
Five Finger Death Punch
Five Finger Death Punch is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2005, the group's name is derived from classic oriental martial arts cinema. The band originally consisted of vocalist Ivan Moody, guitarist Zoltan Bathory, guitarist Caleb Bingham, bassist Matt Snell,...
, released on July 31, 2007. The album sold 3,800 copies in its first week of release The Way of the Fist made its Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
debut on August 18, 2007 at #199 and peaked at #107. It has been certified gold for selling in excess of 500,000 copies as of April 1 2010.
Recording and release
The band entered Next Level Studios and Complex Studios in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to record The Way of the Fist. The album was recorded with Stevo "Shotgun" Bruno (Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
, Prong) and Mike Sarkisyan (Spineshank
Spineshank
Spineshank is an American Grammy-nominated alternative metal band. The band has sold over 540,000 records, and has released 3 studio albums.-Formation, Roadrunner Records years :...
) and was mixed by former Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
and Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
guitarist Logan Mader
Logan Mader
Logan Mader was born on November 16, 1970 in Montreal, Canada. Logan is best known for his work as a guitarist in the heavy metal band Machine Head, who formed in Oakland, California in 1992. Their 1994 debut, Burn My Eyes, was released by Roadrunner Records and quickly became the top-selling...
. Shortly after they signed a deal with Firm Music, a branch of "The Firm
The Firm, Inc.
The Firm is an artist and talent management company in Beverly Hills, California in the United States.Founded in 1997 by Jeff Kwatinetz and partner Michael Green , The Firm had, at times, divisions devoted to TV and film production, brand management, apparel licensing, beverages, video games and...
". It was released on July 31, 2007, selling 5,400 copies in its first week of release to debut at #199 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart and peaked at #107. The album sold an additional 1,400 copies in digital downloads its first week of release.
2008 Reissue
On May 13, 2008 The Way of the Fist was re-released. The re-release contained three new bonus tracks, "Never EnoughNever Enough (Five Finger Death Punch song)
"Never Enough" is a song by American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. It was included as a bonus track on the re-release of their debut album, The Way of the Fist. It was also made available on the band's website to anyone who had purchased the a copy of the original release of the album....
", "Stranger Than Fiction
Stranger Than Fiction (Five Finger Death Punch song)
"Stranger than Fiction" is a song by American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. It was included as one of the three bonus tracks on the re-release of their debut album, The Way of the Fist...
", and an acoustic version of "The Bleeding
The Bleeding (Five Finger Death Punch song)
"The Bleeding" is a song by American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. It is the lead single from the band's first album The Way of the Fist , released through Firm Music.-Music video:...
". The three songs could also be obtained on the band's website by anyone who had purchased a copy of the original release of the album.
"Iron Fist" Edition
On November 22, 2010 the album was reissued again as a deluxe box set entitled The Way Of The Fist: Iron Fist Edition. This version features new artwork, a documentary DVD, The Legend of The Fist Vol. 1, music videos for "The Bleeding", "Never Enough" and "The Way of the Fist", a bonus CD with 11 B-sides and rarities, trading cards, and an exclusive poster and calendar.Track listing
Charts
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Finnish Albums Chart | 28 |
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
107 |
| US Billboard Heat Seekers | 1 |
Singles
Three singles were released from the album, "The BleedingThe Bleeding (Five Finger Death Punch song)
"The Bleeding" is a song by American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. It is the lead single from the band's first album The Way of the Fist , released through Firm Music.-Music video:...
", "Never Enough
Never Enough (Five Finger Death Punch song)
"Never Enough" is a song by American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. It was included as a bonus track on the re-release of their debut album, The Way of the Fist. It was also made available on the band's website to anyone who had purchased the a copy of the original release of the album....
", and "Stranger Than Fiction
Stranger Than Fiction (Five Finger Death Punch song)
"Stranger than Fiction" is a song by American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. It was included as one of the three bonus tracks on the re-release of their debut album, The Way of the Fist...
".
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Main. |
||
| 2007 | "The Bleeding The Bleeding (Five Finger Death Punch song) "The Bleeding" is a song by American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. It is the lead single from the band's first album The Way of the Fist , released through Firm Music.-Music video:... " |
9 |
| 2008 | "Never Enough Never Enough (Five Finger Death Punch song) "Never Enough" is a song by American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. It was included as a bonus track on the re-release of their debut album, The Way of the Fist. It was also made available on the band's website to anyone who had purchased the a copy of the original release of the album.... " |
9 |
| "Stranger Than Fiction Stranger Than Fiction (Five Finger Death Punch song) "Stranger than Fiction" is a song by American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. It was included as one of the three bonus tracks on the re-release of their debut album, The Way of the Fist... " |
16 |
Personnel
Five Finger Death Punch- Ivan L. MoodyIvan L. MoodyIvan L. Moody, also known by the pseudonym Ghost, is the singer for American Heavy metal group Five Finger Death Punch from Sacramento, California. He had performed for several bands before settling down with FFDP...
– lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the... - Zoltan BathoryZoltan BathoryZoltán Báthory is a Hungarian-born musician. He is the co-founder and one of the main songwriters for the Los Angeles-based hard rock band Five Finger Death Punch.-Career:...
– guitars - Darrell RobertsDarrell Roberts-Career:In 2001 Darrell Roberts joined the Heavy Metal band W.A.S.P. In 2006 he left the band and went on to join Los Angeles based heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. Roberts was replaced by Jason Hook in 2009, but is anticipating the release of a solo album due out in 2009. In late 2009 he...
– guitar on "White Knuckles" - Matt Snell – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Jeremy Spencer – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Additional musicians
- Uros Raskovski – guitar solo on "The Bleeding"
Production
- Zoltan Bathroy and Jeremy Spencer - productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Logan MaderLogan MaderLogan Mader was born on November 16, 1970 in Montreal, Canada. Logan is best known for his work as a guitarist in the heavy metal band Machine Head, who formed in Oakland, California in 1992. Their 1994 debut, Burn My Eyes, was released by Roadrunner Records and quickly became the top-selling...
– mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
and masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced... - Stevo "Shotgun" Bruno - engineering
- Mike Sarkisyan - engineering
- George Alayon – engineering
- Sxv'Leithan Essex – artwork