The band originally consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Ivan Moody, rhythm guitarist Zoltan Bathory, lead guitarist Caleb Andrew Bingham, bassist Matt Snell, and drummer Jeremy Spencer. Bingham was replaced by guitarist Darrell Roberts in 2006, who was then replaced by Jason Hook in 2009. Bassist Matt Snell departed from the band in 2010, and was replaced by Chris Kael in 2011. Spencer then departed the band in 2018 due to recurring back issues, and was replaced by Charlie Engen, making rhythm guitarist Bathory the only remaining founding member of the band. In October 2020, British guitarist Andy James became the band's lead guitarist, replacing Jason Hook.
Five Finger Death Punch are the recipients of the RadioContraband Rock Radio Awards for "Indie Artist of the Year" in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. They were also honored with the Radio Contraband Rock Radio Award for Album (American Capitalist) and Song of the Year ("Coming Down") in 2012 and "Video of the Year" for "Wrong Side of Heaven" in 2014.
To date, Five Finger Death Punch has released nine studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, one extended play (EP), and 33 singles.
Matter of Time
Five Finger Death Punch Lyrics
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If I accepted defeat
What would my eulogy read
Here lies a wasted soul
What would my destiny be
What sort of life would I lead
Consumed by apathy
It's how we live
How we live that defines us
What we change
And what we leave behind
You know you can't
You can't take it with you
Your day will come
It's just a matter of time
What type of man should I be
You know, so you tell me
Stomp out my identity
So I can be just like you
What kind of life should I lead
You'd have me down on my knees
Treat me like a I'm a disease
Fuck you
It's how we live
How we live that defines us
What we change
And what we leave behind
You know you can't
You can't take it with you
Your day will come
It's just a matter of time
It's how we live
How we live that defines us
What we change
And what we leave behind
You know you can't
You can't take it with you
Your day will come
It's just a matter of time
The lyrics of "Matter Of Time" by Five Finger Death Punch suggest the internal conflict one faces when trying to maintain their own identity and resisting conformity. The opening line asks a rhetorical question, "What kind of man would I be if I accepted defeat"? The next question follows, "What would my eulogy read here lies a wasted soul?". These lines suggest that the singer is currently fighting some sort of battle that can either lead them to defeat or success. They do not want to be remembered as a failure in their eulogy, hence the importance of defeating their struggle.
The song then shifts to the pressures of conformity and what society expects of an individual. The singer is questioning the type of man they "should" be, which implies other people's expectations, rather than who they truly are. They refuse to stomp out their own identity and become a reflection of the people around them. The following lines indicate they would rather be their own person and not be treated like a disease.
The chorus repeats the idea that how a person "lives" is what defines them. In the end, the material things one owns do not matter, and death, the "day will come," is inevitable. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus and the idea that it's just a matter of time until we come to terms with our own mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
What kind of man would I be
In the face of defeat, what kind of person would I become?
If I accepted defeat
If I gave up and allowed myself to be defeated.
What would my eulogy read
What kind of legacy would I leave behind?
Here lies a wasted soul
A description of the disappointing and wasted life I would have led.
What would my destiny be
What kind of future would I have in store for me?
What sort of life would I lead
What kind of existence would I lead?
Consumed by apathy
Overwhelmed by a lack of motivation and enthusiasm for life.
Spinning out of control
Feeling like my life is spiraling out of control and heading towards disaster.
It's how we live
Our actions and choices throughout life determine who we are.
How we live that defines us
The way we live is a reflection of who we are as individuals.
What we change
The things we alter in our lives.
And what we leave behind
The legacy we leave behind for others to remember us by.
You know you can't
It is impossible to.
You can't take it with you
We cannot take our possessions with us when we die.
Your day will come
The moment of reckoning will catch up to everyone at some point in their lives.
It's just a matter of time
We cannot escape the consequences of our actions, they will catch up with us eventually.
What type of man should I be
What kind of person should I aspire to be?
You know, so you tell me
What is your opinion or recommendation?
Stomp out my identity
Force me to conform to your expectations and lose my sense of individuality.
So I can be just like you
So I can become your version of the ideal person.
What kind of life should I lead
What kind of existence should I strive for?
You'd have me down on my knees
You would like to exert control over me and force me into submission.
Treat me like a I'm a disease
Viewing me as an issue to be treated or eradicated, rather than as a valuable human being.
Fuck you
Expression of frustration and defiance towards the person imposing their expectations.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivan Moody, Jeremy Spencer, Kevin Churko, Thomas Jason Grinstead, Zoltan Bathory
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind