FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Guitarist Doesn't Care How Long It Takes To Complete New Album: 'We Have One Objective: It Has To Be Good'

In a brand new interview with "The Art And Span Show", FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory was asked to clarify his recent claim that the group upcoming eighth album will see him and his bandmates "shifting back to that heavier side" of their sound.

"This answer will cause a debate in certain forums," Zoltan said (hear audio below). "But, look, a lot of people listen to super-heavy music, and for them, they look at us like, 'Ah, that's a radio band,' or whatever. And people who listen to radio will say, 'Oh, man. That's way too heavy for us.' So we are kind of on the cusp, in between. Obviously, we have a lot of heavy, heavy songs.

"I would say [the music on the upcoming album is] 'heavier' in a way that we're kind of gravitating back toward this big groove style of metal, so when you do that, it actually feels heavier," he continued. "You can play something super technical, and it's not gonna feel as heavy as some sludgy, big groove. It just feels heavier. So it's not necessarily faster, it's not necessarily angrier that way."

Zoltan added: "The songs that are there right now, [they have] probably the biggest grooves, the heaviest grooves that we have written. And then also there are a couple of songs that Ivan [Moody] already did the vocals on that are just different — not heavy, but different. I think it's gonna very diverse. And in the end, we'll see how many or what songs we'll put on the record. We kind of like to keep it in balance. But I feel like — again, I'm just predicting it — let's say we write five more ballads or five more slower songs, that would change the equation, but I don't think it's gonna go there. I can see this very coherent picture — okay, this is gonna be a little bit denser, heavier. I wouldn't say darker, but it's the grooves, I think."

According to Bathory, FIVE FINGER is taking its time to complete the new LP, which is once again being recorded with the band's regular producer, Kevin Churko, in their hometown of Las Vegas.

"We are fairly comfortable with the record," he said. "It will take as long as it takes. We have one objective — it has to be good; it has to be the best we have done so far. So if we can finish it [and get it out this year], we'll finish it. And if not, then next year. We don't care how long it takes."

The drums on the disc were laid down by Charlie "The Engine" Engen, who made his live debut with the group during its fall 2018 tour with BREAKING BENJAMIN. He stepped in for original drummer Jeremy Spencer, who left the band in December due to a back injury.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH will embark on a U.S. headlining tour in the fall. The trek will start on November 1 with two special kick-off shows in the band's hometown of Las Vegas on November 1 and 2 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Support on the tour will come from THREE DAYS GRACE, BAD WOLVES and FIRE FROM THE GODS.