FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Singer Talks About His Love Of PANTERA

A short video clip of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH singer Ivan Moody and guitarist Zoltan Bathory talking to Google Play about Ivan's love of PANTERA can be seen below.

In an interview with ARTISTdirect, Moody stated about PANTERA: "I don't think there will ever be a band that compares to PANTERA. In my book, they are the icon metal band of all time. Their catalog speaks for itself. What the four of those guys did for music in general is beyond incredible. Philip's [Anselmo] lyrical ability and what Dimebag did as player are incredible.

"There is no torch to be handed down from PANTERA. PANTERA is one of our biggest influences, as it should be for anyone who listens to rock 'n' roll.

"I first heard PANTERA after getting out of a detention center as a kid. I caused a little mischief. I had a Walkman at the time, and I went to a store. I saw this cassette on the shelf, and it said 'Cowboys From Hell'. I was like, 'Dude, that's badass.' There were only two copies of it, so I knew it was underground at the time. The second I put it in, my entire life changed. My soul lit up. My eyes turned red. That was it for me. They'd become the greatest band on earth to me.

"You go down the line on the CD and get to 'Cemetery Gates'. I just freaked out like, 'Wow, somebody can make good rock 'n' roll and still incorporate extremely painful misery and have a sense of relief.' They kept getting bigger and better from there.

"My god, 'Vulgar Display Of Power' is still one of the greatest albums ever. Of course, my favorite is 'Far Beyond Driven'. They just nailed it on 'The Great Southern Trendkill' too.

"Anytime I saw that band live, it was absolutely jaw-dropping. I've never had an experience like that, and I've seen thousands of bands from RAMMSTEIN, TOOL, and METALLICA to SLIPKNOT and KORN. Those are all phenomenal acts, but I never missed a PANTERA show. PANTERA was the beginning and end for me."