By Jennifer Russo

It’s a hot day at Mayhemfest 2013 … and I’m sitting in the press area, taking a few moments of Jason Hook’s time before he hit the stage with Five Finger Death Punch (5FDP).

I hoped to find out everything there was to know about the new album … well, actually…albums that 5FDP will offer us this year. Yep, two albums in one year ~ pretty rare for a rock/metal band to accomplish, but here it is. With the first CD just released a few short months back, the second volume will grace the shelves Nov. 19.

I asked Jason if there is a definite concept to these two new albums.

“With this one, I don’t think we started with the concept. Being as it’s our fourth and fifth record and the first three have gone gold, we kind of felt like the pressure was off, at least to follow guidelines. We just did it. There is always some pressure as a new band, where you are dying to prove your worth and that you can sell records and that people will like what you’ve done. Now that we have done that and reached that level, we brought back a little creative freedom. We are just doing what we really want to do, and I like the feel of that on these two records,” Hook said.

I always think it’s great when like-minded musicians get together and work on a song. I have found that this is never a disappointment. The love for music just ties it all together, and a great product is always the result. On the first volume, we hear 5FDP and some notable talents, including Maria Brink, Rob Halford, Jamie Jasta and even hip-hop artist Tech N9NE.

“I have a huge crush on Maria,” Hook admitted. (Good god ~ who doesn’t?) “Jamie has been a pal of ours since the beginning. He’s just great; Hatebreed has been going on a long time. I think what happened with the Rob Halford thing ~ well, we had this song, ‘Lift Me Up,’ and someone said, ‘You know that sounds kind of like an old Judas Priest song,’ and it turns our manager has a relationship with Judas Priest, and he said he would love to do it. Next thing you know, we are meeting him in Vegas. Tech N9NE steps in on the LL Cool J cover ‘Mama Said Knock You Out,’ too, which sounds bizarre, but it rips.”

Seriously, the whole album rips. It’s in my car player, and I dare ya ~ I DARE YA ~ to listen to it and sit still. Not gonna happen.

In support of the new albums, 5FDP has been touring non-stop this year. Mayhem wrapped up in August, and the band went right out with The Wrong Side of Heaven Tour with several bands, including Escape the Fate, Miss May I and Gemini Syndrome. From there, 5FDP will kick off its fall tour and head out to Europe with Avenged Sevenfold. After a short break in December, the band tours again in February. I asked Hook how the members can keep up their energy level on successive tours like this.

“This is a busy and dense year for us, and I look at the schedule and say ‘Holy f**k, I hope we make it.’ We bring our personal trainer along, too. It may not be very cliché rock and roll, but we don’t drink and do drugs; we go to bed at a fairly reasonable time and we get up and go to the gym every morning, where he beats the s**t out of us. You know, we’ve tried it the other way, but it’s a choice. I want to be good at 5FDP, not s****y at it. It’s important to us.”

Though the band has been described as “political,” Hook disagrees wholeheartedly.

“I never really felt politics should be a big chunk of the musical pie. Everyone has their own beliefs and desires as far as what they want. We aren’t forcing our political views down anyone’s throat. Music should translate a feeling ~ not just one feeling but whatever feelings that song makes you feel. And it’s different for everybody.

The Wrong Side of Heaven & the Righteous Side of Hell Volume 2 can be purchased everywhere beginning Nov. 19. Go to fivefingerdeathpunch.com to pre-order the bundle that includes the CD and a T-Shirt, a bonus song and some other cool stuff.

Want to win a signed copy of Volume 1? Head to our Facebook Page for details beginning Nov. 15.