ZOLTAN BATHORY of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH: Metal fans who “hate” “gatekeeper” bands are “shooting themselves in the foot”

In a new interview with Summa Inferno from Mexico FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathorywhich promotes the band’s recently released collaboration with the late rapper DMX, “This is the way”was asked about the “narrow-mindedness” of some metal fans, especially when it comes to musical collaborations that bring together artists from different genres. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Yeah, you’re right. I mean, you said it, but I agree with you. Actually, I agree with you. It’s definitely that way, it’s definitely that narrow-mindedness, it’s definitely that idea… It’s almost like it’s funny, because the more extreme you listen to it, the more you’re forced to hide, like, ‘This is our Music.’ And if someone who isn’t into extreme metal likes a band, then that narrow circle will leave the band. That’s what you see when metal bands become popular: the original hardcore fans or that narrow circle drop off because they can’t like a band that their parents also like, or people who aren’t completely metal would like a band. Then you see that drop off. So, yeah, there’s a little bit of that, but at the same time I think these collaborations are great because they open doors. People who don’t listen to metal, a lot of people who don’t listen to metal now, will at least listen to this song because of this song, and possibly a part of them will look up who the hell FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and they’ll start to get familiar with some of the songs, and some of them, a certain percentage of them, will like what they hear.”

He continued, “That’s what I would say to those metalheads. It’s like, man, in order for the band that you love, especially the more underground the band is, to be able to create art that you like, they have to survive. And if you want them to survive, that means they have to sell records and they have to be able to sell concert tickets. And because it’s such a subgenre, they’re not going to be able to do that. So you see these great, great artists that are in bands but also have one or two jobs (on the side) and sometimes they can’t go on tour. So what you get is if you’re a fan of these extreme bands, they’re not making any money and they can’t survive on that. The only way they can do that is if the audience gets broader – that’s the only way. And so what has to happen is that metal in general has to get bigger, have more fans and more attention. That way it trickles down so that the subgenres get bigger too, so that your favorite artists survive. Bands like DISTURBED, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCHthese are the so-called gatekeeper bands that absolutely have to exist. Because without us you won’t be able to get people into the genre. We are the kind of band where people who like metal listen to us, but people who aren’t necessarily into metal maybe listen to us or we get a lot of people who aren’t into metal into us. And when we do these collaborations – this song is now on radio stations and in other Spotify Listen and just other avenues where it wouldn’t normally be. So by doing that we’re recruiting people who listen to hard rock and heavy metal, and that helps the whole genre. And when the genre is big and the subgenres are big… So if you hate the bands that are stepping out and collaborating with other genres, or hate the bands that you consider to be gatekeepers, you’re basically shooting yourself in the foot.”

Zoltan added: “Here’s the thing: (I could say) I don’t give a shit. We’re fine. We love our fans. We’re fine. So I must not care. I actually do care, because I love a lot of these underground bands and we take bands on tour, bands that… FIRE OF THE GODSa very different kind of band. I love the band. I managed the band for a while. We took them on tour. There were so many of these bands that we gave a platform to because we love them, because we think they deserve the attention. I mean, look at the tours that we have our eye on right now. We’re taking bands again that… BATTLE TO WIN — this is a very, very heavy band. I love this band. I think they need to be introduced to more people. And that’s why we’re doing our part. And I think it’s really counterproductive when metal fans fight within the genre. To me, it’s actually ridiculous and you’re shooting yourself in the foot. I think it’s a big misunderstanding or a big – well, not a misunderstanding; a big misunderstanding of how this whole thing works if you have a problem with bands working together or introducing this genre to the general fans.”

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH recently announced a US headline tour for this summer, with support from MARILYN-MANSON And BATTLE TO WINThe journey begins on August 2 in Hershey, Pennsylvania and ends on September 19 in Houston, Texas.

Before the US run FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH tours Europe as support act for METALLICA on the latter act “M72” World tour in addition to headlining shows with special guests ICE NINE KILLINGS and selected appearances at major festivals.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is still touring in support of his ninth album, “Life after death” which was published in August 2022 via Better noise.

On April 5 FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH released the digital deluxe edition of “Life after death”with the 12 original tracks recorded with the band’s long-time producer Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE) and four bonus tracks: three acoustic versions of the songs on the album “The end”, “Judgment Day” And “Thanks for the question” Plus “This is the way”with DMX.

Earlier this month, “This is the way (feat. DMX)” took first place at Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock radio chart, giving the Las Vegas-based band their eleventh consecutive No. 1 hit on the chart. In doing so, the band extends their 2023 record of holding the longest streak of No. 1 spots in chart history. “This is the way” is the first No. 1 in the Mainstream Rock Airplay charts for the legendary late rapper DMX and his first ever chart appearance. The single also reached number one at Active Rock Radio and gave FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH his 16th No. 1 single in this format.

Photo credit: Christo Schindow