Photos by Rebecca Clark | Review by Renee Clark Quade & Rebecca Clark
Heavy music is often defined by thunderous riffs, towering amplifiers, and explosive production, but some of the most memorable concerts leave a lasting impression for reasons that go far beyond the music. Five Finger Death Punch’s 20th Anniversary World Tour July 26th stop at Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse celebrated two decades of the band’s career while showcasing not only the power of heavy music, but also the heart, vulnerability, and genuine connection that can exist between artists and their fans. Alongside performances from Eva Under Fire and Cody Jinks, the evening became a reminder that authenticity resonates no matter the genre.
Eva Under Fire Opens with Confidence and Heart
Detroit rock band Eva Under Fire wasted no time making an impression, kicking off their set with “Awakening” before introducing fans to “My Own Name,” both tracks from their latest record Villainous. They balanced newer material with songs like “Heroin(e)” and “Comatose,” while showcasing much of their newest album, including the title track “Villainous” that features Maria Brink of In This Moment on the studio version.
Although they were the first band of the evening, the crowd response made it feel like they were anything but newcomers. Fans packed the pit singing along, and one concertgoer even joked that they could have happily watched the band play all night.
Lead vocalist Amanda Lyberg, also known as Eva Marie, dominated the stage from the moment she walked out. Rarely standing still, she constantly moved across the stage, interacting with every section of the audience. Her black outfit, complete with punk-style thigh harnesses, metal rings, and combat boots, perfectly matched the band’s hard rock sound while adding to her confident stage presence.
It was the emotion behind every lyric that stood out. Lyberg performs with genuine conviction, making it obvious how connected she is to the songs she’s singing. Her energy carried through the entire performance, while the rest of the band sounded just as powerful live as they do on the record.
To close their performance, Lyberg thanked KROCK for having the band, borrowed a fan’s phone to capture video from the stage, and gathered the entire band together for a group photo with the crowd behind them before ending on a heavy, headbanging finale. It was a memorable way to finish a set that likely introduced many new fans to Eva Under Fire.
Cody Jinks Bridges Country and Metal
At first glance, Cody Jinks might seem like an unexpected addition to a Five Finger Death Punch tour, but his performance quickly showed why he fit the bill.
Before even playing a note, Jinks took time to sign a fan’s hat, setting the tone for the personal, laid-back performance that followed. He acknowledged the obvious difference between his music and the night’s headliner, joking that he hoped the audience enjoyed what they were about to hear.
His blend of honky-tonk country, Southern rock, and outlaw attitude proved to be a natural fit. While sounding more on the country music side, Jinks carries an authentic rebellious edge that meshes well with a hard rock audience. His background in the metal band Silas also helps explain why he looked completely comfortable performing in front of a crowd of metal fans.
Songs like “Fast Hand,” “David,” “Must Be the Whiskey,” “Hippies and Cowboys,” and “Loud & Heavy” showcased both his songwriting and his unmistakable baritone vocals. The band also paid tribute to one of rock’s biggest influences with an energetic cover of AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll).” Jinks even shared a story about seeing AC/DC when he was 13 years old, joking that he wanted to catch them “before they got old.”
One of the highlights of the set was the musicianship from his backing band. Every member contributed to creating a full, arena-sized sound, with standout guitar solos throughout the performance. Jinks also made a point of walking over to each band member during the show, reinforcing the chemistry on stage while keeping the audience engaged.
Though the pairing may have looked unusual on paper, Cody Jinks proved that authenticity can connect with any audience.
Five Finger Death Punch Reminds Fans There’s Heart Behind the Heavy
By the time Five Finger Death Punch took the stage, the amphitheater was more than ready.
From the opening moments, frontman Ivan Moody made it clear he wanted the night to feel personal. Before long he was leaning over the barricade, taking selfies with fans, recording videos on their phones, shaking hands, fist-bumping concertgoers, and tossing guitar picks into the crowd.
“I’m in a great fucking mood,” he announced early in the evening, and it showed.
The band’s set balanced signature tracks with plenty of theatrical moments. During “Jekyll and Hyde,” Moody emerged wearing a white top hat and carrying a white walking stick before tossing both into the audience. Later, he returned wearing a Five Finger Death Punch jersey featuring an American flag, speaking about America’s 250th birthday before encouraging everyone to shake the hand of the person standing next to them. He led by example, making his way across the stage to shake hands with each of his bandmates before launching into the band’s cover of “Bad Company.”
Throughout the night, Moody continuously handed out personal mementos to fans. During “Bad Company,” he removed his necklace and tossed it into the crowd before following it with the jersey. Earlier in the show he stopped to autograph a fan’s shirt during the middle of a song, while later he walked on stage carrying a baseball bat before “Lift Me Up” and gifted that to another lucky fan as well.
That connection with the crowd wasn’t just coming from Moody; every member of Five Finger Death Punch brought that same energy to the stage. Zoltan Bathory and Chris Kael were just as animated throughout the night, making faces, pointing out fans, playing directly to different sections of the audience, and tossing picks into the crowd. The entire band looked like they were genuinely having fun up there, feeding off the energy of the fans while making sure those in attendance felt seen. It was clear this wasn’t just a performance for them, it was a shared experience with the people who have supported them throughout their career.
What stood out most, however, were the moments where the music took a back seat to genuine compassion.
After “Jekyll and Hyde,” Moody noticed a man near the front standing on crutches. Rather than simply acknowledging him, he stopped the show, invited the fan and two friends onto the stage, gave him a hug, and had them seated on the side of the stage to enjoy the remainder of the concert.
Later, before “Wrong Side of Heaven,” Moody noticed another fan crying in the front row. Smiling, he told her, “Don’t you dare cry,” handed her his handkerchief, and spent part of the song singing directly to her. It was one of several reminders that despite the band’s aggressive sound, there is a sincere connection between Five Finger Death Punch and their audience.
One of the most touching moments of the night came when Moody spoke about having his two sons with him on tour. Hidden behind the screen, they helped provide backing vocals throughout the set, and the pride in his voice was impossible to miss as he talked about sharing the experience with them. For a band known for its aggressive sound, moments like this showed the softer side of Five Finger Death Punch and the importance of family behind the music.
Musically, the band never let up. “Wash It All Away” had the crowd roaring, while “Burn MF” transformed the stage with towering flames displayed across the massive video screens behind the band. Guitar and drum solos added even more intensity before Moody returned to lead the audience in three thunderous chants of “Burn motherfucker, burn!” as the band’s flaming skull logo blazed behind them.
Before “IOU,” Moody shared that the video’s creator was “his brother from another mother,” offering another glimpse into the personal connections woven throughout the evening.
As the show shifted into the emotional “Wrong Side of Heaven,” thousands of cell phone lights illuminated Lakeview Amphitheater. Looking across the glowing crowd, Moody paused to take it all in before declaring, “Heavy metal is alive and well, motherfucker.”
It was the perfect summary of the night.
Five Finger Death Punch certainly delivered the loud guitars, pyro-filled visuals, and crowd-pleasing anthems fans came expecting. But what made this show memorable wasn’t just the production or the setlist, it was the way Ivan Moody continually reminded everyone that behind the heavy music is a community that looks out for one another. Between the generosity toward fans, the personal interactions, and the band’s relentless performance, Five Finger Death Punch turned a summer concert into something that felt surprisingly personal
5 Finger Death Punch Photo gallery
Cody Jinks Photo Gallery
Eva Under Fire Photo Gallery
