Five Finger Death Punch has released today the digital deluxe edition of “AfterLife”, the band’s critically acclaimed ninth studio album, via Better Noise Music.
The deluxe version will include the original 12 tracks recorded with the band’s longtime collaborator, producer Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne) in addition to four bonus tracks: three acoustic versions of the album’s songs “The End”, “Judgement Day,” and “Thanks For Asking” plus a brand new song, “This Is The Way” featuring the late rapper DMX.
An official music video for “This Is The Way (Featuring DMX)”, which can be seen below, is directed by none other than highly influential filmmaker Hype Williams, a longtime friend and close collaborator of the late DMX. Hype Williams is known for his seminal work with luminaries like Tupac, Wu-Tang Clan and Jay-Z, among others.
“Music is meant to be universal and without boundaries, and it starts at the top with us, the artists,” says Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Zoltan Bathory. “We have always embraced the mixing of genres, whether it be the remake of LL Cool J‘s ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ featuring Tech N9ne as a guest, or our collaboration with blues warrior Kenny Wayne Shepherd, country star Brantley Gilbert, and Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, on the song ‘Blue On Black’.
“The idea of collaborating with DMX had been in discussion for years, and it was a long and winding road to turn this particular item on our wish list into reality. He was a lyrical warrior, a true original who spoke his mind incorruptibly. We have always viewed DMX as ‘the metalhead of hip-hop’ because of his aggressive, raw, and untamed style. He growled and snarled, aiming to rattle some cages–an attitude we share, as Five Finger Death Punch has always been drawn to the fearless and the real. It made all the sense in the world, but today this is more than just a song; it’s a salute to a legend, a way to honor DMX‘s memory.”
When playing the song for other hip-hop legends, DMC of RUN-D.M.C., one of the originals to do it first with “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith, said: “The sound of the music, what Ivan is singing about, and what X is talking about, is how X lived his life. The struggle, the dark with the light, the bad with the good, the pain with the joy. This song is very emotional, very musical; it’s very well rounded.”
