Five Finger Death Punch

Hi GMC!

Welcome to my new lesson covering the style of Five Finger Death Punch (FFDP), an American Heavy Metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2005.

Music Style:
Their music is usually described as Groove Metal or Alternative Metal, but they also incorporate elements from Thrash, Heavy and Hard Rock. Their songs are a combination of powerful and groovy riffs with catchy choruses that make them also suitable for rock radios. In this lesson, I’ve tried to re-create the way they build riffs, verses and chorus, adding a cite to one of their biggest hit in the lead melody played for the chorus.

Tonality, Chord Progression & Scales:
This radio friendly groove metal style makes them combine elements from metal but also from alternative rock/pop songs. Most of their riffs and songs are in minor keys, being Aeolian and Phrygian, their favorite ones. They have some “southern” type moments in which they incorporate major modes as Mixolydian but most of their music is minor. Many of their choruses are built around “pop type” chord progressions.

Techniques:
This is mostly a rhythm metal lesson so you’ll train your right hand using techniques as palm muting, downpicking, alternate picking. You’ll have to be able to combine power chords, with single note riffs. In the last section, you’ll find a melody that requires a good control of single string phrasing, vibrato and bending.

Sound:
I used Fractal Ax8's Fas Modern amp with the following settings:




I used Cubase to record audio and midi, superior drummer for drums and Trillian for bass.


Tuning: Drop D Tuning

Tempo: 126 BPM