F8

『F8』は、ヘヴィなグルーヴと内省的な歌を両立させ、FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCHが再生を描いた第8作だ。題名は「運命（Fate）」と8枚目のアルバムを掛け合わせたもので、アイヴァン・ムーディが困難を乗り越え、心身の再出発を果たした心境が全編に色濃く刻まれている。ギターにアンディ・ジェイムズ、ドラムにチャーリー・エンゲンを迎えた新体制で臨み、ケヴィン・チャーコのプロデュースのもと、重さと歌心を一段と洗練させている。ビルボード200で3位に達した。 先行シングル“Inside Out”は、内なる葛藤を力強く歌い上げた代表曲として高く評価された。“A Little Bit Off”のキャッチーな推進力、“Living the Dream”の攻撃性から、RED HOT CHILI PEPPERSのカバー“Scar Tissue”まで、幅広い楽曲が並ぶ。“Darkness Settles In”“Brighter Side of Grey”のような楽曲では、陰影に富んだ感情表現が際立つ。攻撃性とキャッチーさを保ちながら、再生と内省というテーマを説得力をもって描き切った、円熟期の力作である。

F8 is the eighth album on which Five Finger Death Punch depicted renewal, balancing heavy grooves with introspective singing. The title crosses "Fate" with the band's eighth album, and Ivan Moody's state of mind — overcoming hardship and achieving a fresh start in body and spirit — is deeply stamped throughout. Made under a new lineup with Andy James on guitar and Charlie Engen on drums, and produced by Kevin Churko, it further refines weight and melody. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The lead single "Inside Out," powerfully singing of inner conflict, was highly regarded as a signature song. From the catchy drive of "A Little Bit Off" and the aggression of "Living the Dream" to the Red Hot Chili Peppers cover "Scar Tissue," a wide range of songs line up. On songs like "Darkness Settles In" and "Brighter Side of Grey," shadowed emotional expression stands out. Keeping aggression and catchiness while convincingly rendering the theme of renewal and introspection, it is a powerful work from a matured band.