FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Guitarist Comments On Deaths Of DIO, PAUL GRAY

Guitarist Zoltan Bathory of Los Angeles metallers FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH was interviewed at this year's Download festival, which was held June 11-13, 2010 at Donington Park, United Kingdom. Watch the chat below.

Bathory recently did an interview with AOL's Noisecreep in which he explained the incident that happened earlier this month in which three members of the group were detained by German police on their way to a music festival. The musicians were taken into custody for an alleged international weapons violation — but the "weapon" in question turned out to be nothing more than a microphone in the shape of a brass knuckle.

Bathory said, "They did understand what was going on, but had no choice other than to uphold their laws. We get it. As visitors to any country, we have to respect their internal laws."

Bathory said that the German police have been friendly to the group, but added, "However, if you have microphones in the shape of brass knuckles, you will have to part with your precious stage prop, and expect a hefty fine for weapon violation, prop or not."

The guitarist also said, "I think it was a good choice to not to bring our six-foot, M2 machine guns, the 50-cal bullet belts and the M16 microphone stands we are regularly using in the States . . . They probably would have called the UN."

Three members of the band — Bathory, drummer Jeremy Spencer and bassist Matt Snell — were detained while the band was on its way to perform at the Rock Am Ring festival on June 4. The band was able to make its festival gig as scheduled.

The band will participate this summer in the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, beginning on July 10 in Devore, California.