The Way of the Fist

The Way of the Fist
Studio album by Five Finger Death Punch
Released July 31, 2007
Recorded 2006–2007 at Next Level Studios in Los Angeles, California and at Complex Studios in Los Angeles, California
Genre Groove metal, thrash metal, alternative metal, heavy metal
Length 38:50
49:16 (Re-release)
Label Firm Music, Spinefarm
Producer Zoltan Bathory, Jeremy Spencer
Five Finger Death Punch chronology

Pre-Emptive Strike
(2007)		 The Way of the Fist
(2007)		 War Is the Answer
(2009)
Singles from The Way of the Fist
  1. "The Bleeding"
    Released: July 10, 2007
  2. "Never Enough"
    Released: July 15, 2008
  3. "Stranger than Fiction"
    Released: September 17, 2008
Alternative covers
"Iron Fist" Edition
Cover for the UK and Canadian edition of The Way of the Fist
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
About.com [1]
Kerrang!

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 No. 199 and peaked at No. 107. It has been certified gold for selling in excess of 500,000 copies as of April 1, 2010.[2]

Recording and release

The band entered Next Level Studios and Complex Studios in Los Angeles, 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.[3] Shortly after, they signed a deal with Firm Music, a branch of "The Firm".[4] It was released on July 31, 2007, selling 5,400 copies in its first week of release to debut at No. 199 on the Billboard 200 chart[5] and peaked at No. 107. The album sold an additional 1,400 copies in digital downloads its first week of release.[5]

Reissues

2008 Reissue

On May 13, 2008 The Way of the Fist was re-released.[6] The re-release contained three new bonus tracks, "Never Enough", "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.[6]

"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.[2] 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.[2]

Track listing

Standard Edition
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Ashes"  Bathory, Moody 3:44
2. "The Way of the Fist"  Bathory, Moody 3:58
3. "Salvation"  Bathory, Moody, Snell, Spencer 3:20
4. "The Bleeding"  Bathory, Moody 4:28
5. "A Place to Die"  Bathory, Moody 3:40
6. "The Devil's Own"  Bathory, Moody, Snell, Spencer 4:12
7. "White Knuckles"  Bathory, Moody, Snell, Spencer, Roberts 4:10
8. "Can't Heal You"  Bathory, Moody, Snell, Spencer 3:03
9. "Death Before Dishonor"  Bathory, Moody, Spencer 3:54
10. "Meet the Monster"  Bathory, Moody, Spencer 4:22
Total length:
 38:56
Iron Fist Edition CD 1 / 2008 Re-issue Bonus Tracks
No. Title Length
11. "Never Enough"   3:29
12. "Stranger than Fiction"   3:20
13. "The Bleeding" (Acoustic) 3:37
Total length:
 49:26
Iron Fist Edition CD 2
No. Title Length
1. "A New Level" (Pantera Cover) 4:00
2. "From Out of Nowhere" (Faith No More cover) 3:24
3. "Succubus (Hate Me)" (Demo) 3:09
4. "Salvation" (Live) 3:45
5. "The Way of the Fist" (Live) 4:32
6. "White Knuckles" (Live) 6:16
7. "Salvation" (Instrumental) 3:22
8. "The Bleeding" (Instrumental) 4:30
9. "The Way of the Fist" (Instrumental) 4:02
10. "The Devil's Own" (Instrumental) 4:15
11. "Never Enough" (Instrumental) 3:30
Total length:
 44:43
UK edition
No. Title Length
1. "Ashes"   3:44
2. "The Way of the Fist"   3:58
3. "Salvation"   3:20
4. "The Bleeding"   4:28
5. "A Place to Die"   3:40
6. "The Devil's Own"   4:12
7. "White Knuckles"   4:10
8. "Never Enough"   3:29
9. "Stranger than Fiction"   3:20
10. "Can't Heal You"   3:03
11. "Death Before Dishonour"   3:54
12. "Meet the Monster"   4:22
13. "From Out of Nowhere" (Faith No More cover) 3:23
14. "The Devil's Own" (Live) 4:56
Total length:
 53:58

Charts

Chart (2007) Peak
position
Finnish Albums Chart[7] 28
US Billboard 200[8] 107
US Billboard Heat Seekers[8] 1

Singles

Three singles were released from the album, "The Bleeding", "Never Enough", and "Stranger than Fiction".

Year Title Peak chart positions
US
Main.
[9]
2007 "The Bleeding" 9
2008 "Never Enough" 9
"Stranger than Fiction" 16

Personnel

Five Finger Death Punch
Additional musicians
  • Uros Raskovski – guitar solo on "The Bleeding"
Production

References

  1. ↑ Bowar, Chad. "Five Finger Death Punch The Way of the Fist Review". About.com.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Five Finger Death Punch Debut Album To Be Reissued As 'Iron Fist Edition' Box Set". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2010-09-28.
  3. ↑ "FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Featuring Ex-W.A.S.P., MOTOGRATER Members: Debut CD Due In April". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Five Finger Death Punch Signs With Firm Music". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Five Finger Death Punch Guitarist: 'Our Fans Are Diehard!'". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Releases Free Track To Fans". Blabbermouth.net. Apr 8, 2008.
  7. ↑ Suomen virallinen lista
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Five Finger Death Punch – Charts & Awards – Billboard Albums". Allmusic.
  9. ↑ "Single Chart Positions".