Five Finger Death Punch have confirmed that they have parted ways with guitarist Jason Hook back in February 2020, following his recovery from emergency gallbladder surgery at the end of last year, Hook had to leave midway from the band’s tour of Europe to address further complications.
“I have had the pleasure of meeting so many of you in person. Thank you for the endless stories of how our music has touched your heart in some way! But the best part of being on tour the last 12 years, by far, has been playing my guitar and seeing the joy on your faces every night. I will miss that more than anything. As far the reason I’m leaving…well, there really isn’t just one. I’ve been in bands my entire life and I feel like I’ve done all the good that I can here. It’s time to pass the baton and move on to new challenges” – Says Jason Hook about his departure
On Friday (Oct. 16), the band have released their third music video for the song “Living The Dream” from their album, F8. The video was shot in Los Angeles, CA last month, the video is rife with symbolism and implicit social commentary.
“America is a beautiful idea that draws immigrants like myself from all over the world to the promised land of equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This idea is now under siege and certain events are starting to remind me of the things many of us came here to escape… It’s not a “left against right” problem but an evolutionary problem. The growing pains of a civilization that without the necessary spiritual enlightenment, arrived a bit early to a level of technology where everyone is connected. The good news is that now everyone has a voice. The bad news is that now everyone has a voice,” guitarist Zoltan Bathory explained. “So we are living in the manipulators’ paradise, where liars and hypocrites run unscathed, the news are just opinions, politics are a blood sport, and facts are determined by consensus instead of the truth. We as artists, however, have a unique opportunity to portray and ridicule the absurd to prevent it from becoming reality.“
The band’s current release, F8, debuted at #1 on the Rock charts worldwide with a Top 10 Mainstream chart debut in the USA, Austria, Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and more. The album features #1 hit singles “Inside Out” and “A Little Bit Off”.
