A Conversation with Zoltan Bathory

May 16, 2024 by DJ Gunderson

Zoltan Bathory, the acclaimed guitarist and founding member of Five Finger Death Punch, has a journey that intertwines the realms of music, martial arts, and personal history. His multifaceted experiences have shaped both his identity as an artist and the trajectory of the band. From his early days in Hungary to the global stage of rock and roll, Bathory’s story is one of passion, dedication, and resilience.

Growing up in Hungary, he was immersed in a society where martial arts held significant cultural and social stature. In fact, he began practicing martial arts before picking up the guitar – an uncommon path for most musicians. This unique trajectory underscores the importance of martial arts in his formative years and highlights the diverse range of influences that have shaped his identity.

The connection between his martial arts background and his musical career runs deeper than mere coincidence. He has spoken candidly about how his experiences in martial arts instilled in him a sense of discipline, focus, and determination – qualities he later brought to his musical endeavors.

The rigorous training and relentless pursuit of excellence that define martial arts are mirrored in his approach to music, where he pushes himself and his bandmates to constantly evolve and strive for perfection.

Five Finger Death Punch, the band Bathory co-founded in 2005, has carved out a unique niche in the world of heavy metal with their signature blend of hard-hitting riffs, anthemic choruses, and introspective lyrics.

One aspect that sets the band apart is their unwavering commitment to releasing their albums on vinyl – a practice that harkens back to the golden age of rock and roll and pays homage to the timeless appeal of analog sound.

The deluxe edition of Five Finger Death Punch’s album “Afterlife” is only available digitally at this time. However, the rest of their music exemplifies their commitment to vinyl and showcases the band’s dedication to delivering a premium listening experience for their fans.

As for the deluxe edition of “Afterlife” there is a notable inclusion of the track “This is the Way,” a poignant tribute to the late rapper DMX. Bathory revealed that the decision to include this track was not taken lightly, as it involved navigating a complex web of permissions and approvals from various stakeholders.

The track serves as a powerful reminder of the band’s ability to channel personal experiences and collective grief into their music, creating a cathartic and deeply resonant listening experience for their audience.

The significance of “This is the Way” extends beyond its musical merits, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of DMX and the impact he had on Bathory and the wider music community. By including the track on the deluxe edition of “Afterlife,” Five Finger Death Punch pays homage to a fallen icon and underscores the unbreakable bonds that unite artists across genres and generations.

In a recent conversation with Bathory we asked him to delve into the deluxe edition of “Afterlife,” he said “Basically, when we released this album, we had this song that’s right now raging up on the radio, and the talk of the town is that track with DMX. And we had this song done when the album came out, but because DMX passed and we had so much, so many people involved. So many record labels, publishers to clear that song and being able to include that on the record was jumping through hoops. A lot of people had to agree to this. A lot of people have to sign up on it.”

He continued to explain, “So that took a minute, and we weren’t sure that all the paperwork will be done by the time we going to release the record. So, we thought it’s not safe, we have to you know, we have to go by the book by on this one.”

He paused, then said, “We ended up releasing this album without that track, but when you make an album every piece of that album is important. What song is what order, what songs are on it. So, this particular song was important to be on this record and it wasn’t. So, the album was never really complete in my opinion. And that’s why we finally when we got the full green light from everybody involved, then we released the album as a deluxe edition so it can include the track that was originally meant to be on it.”

He paused again and said, “That’s how this came about and since we did that, we also threw in a couple of acoustic versions of some songs. Since we are re-releasing this album, the fans can get something more, but this was the real reason was to release the album the way it was meant to be with that song on.”

He went on to say, “As for new music from Five Finger Death Punch, we always have music in a vault. We’re always working on something. Probably next year we will release an album at one point or another.”

With a smile, he said, “We always have stuff in a vault because there’s so many times when I have songs that, not at the time. For example, ‘Wrong Side of Heaven’ was probably one of our biggest hits. The lick on that song, the guitar piece on that song I wrote it like 20 years ago.”

We asked him to describe some motivations and insight for “Afterlife,” and he explained that a few of the songs directly connected to the afterlife: “Near-death experiences that both Ivan and I had.” Explaining further, “What the afterlife means to society; whatever you think afterlife is will heavily affect your behavior while you’re alive, right? There are various ideas in it.”

I asked where we can find him until the upcoming tour, he responded, “We’re going to be on tour from August to all the way to October in America. Marilyn Manson will be with us and we’re also taking Slaughter to Prevail, and maybe one more band is going to be added to that tour. I think Funeral Portrait is going to be added to the tour. But Marilyn Manson and Slaughter to Prevail will be on the tour. So, it’ll be all over America, obviously coming to your neighborhood September 6th in Anaheim as well, so that’s happening. That’s where you will find me. And any jiu-jitsu academy. Always somewhere, rolling, you know; I’m all over the place.”

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH SUMMER / FALL TOUR

As Five Finger Death Punch prepares to headline the Honda Center in Anaheim this September, the band finds itself at a pivotal moment in their career; a moment that encapsulates the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering passion.

For Five Finger Death Punch, this upcoming performance is more than just another show; it’s a celebration of the band’s journey and a testament to the enduring power of music to unite and inspire.

Zoltan Bathory’s journey with Five Finger Death Punch is a testament to the transformative power of music, martial arts, and personal history. From his humble beginnings in Hungary to the global stage of rock and roll, Bathory’s story is one of the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring legacy of artistic expression.

As Five Finger Death Punch continues to push the boundaries of heavy metal and redefine the genre, Bathory remains a guiding force – a visionary artist whose passion and creativity continue to inspire audiences around the world.

The band is currently on tour throughout the UK. You can catch them in the US in August throughout the country. Tickets for the September 6th show at Honda Center are now available.

TO FOLLOW

SID 240517 | TRACI TURNER, EDITOR