Ivan Moody Heading Back to Rehab; Tommy Vext to Fill In for Remainder of Five Finger Death Punch Tour
Yesterday, Five Finger Death Punch issued a statement about Monday’s disastrous concert in the Netherlands… but it was really just a whole heckuva lotta PR bullshit about being a ‘dangerous rock band’ or whatever nonsense. It in no way provided a satisfactory explanation as to what the fuck was going with frontman Ivan Moody, who announced from the stage that he was leaving the band immediately.
Now the group has made a new announcement, and this one makes considerably more sense: Ivan Moody relapsed. He’ll head home for treatment now, with Tommy Vext (Bad Wolves, ex-Divine Heresy) filling in for the remainder of the tour. Vext, you may recall, already sang a couple of songs with the band at the show on Monday.
Says Moody:
“I am embarrassed and ashamed to admit that I have fallen off the wagon again. I was on shaky ground prior to our performance in Tilburg, and although a lot of the events of that show were out of my control, the shame of not delivering pushed me over the edge. It would not be fair to my bandmates or my fans to continue to perform in my current condition. One of the worst parts of addiction is the loneliness you feel, so having the support of my band and all the knuckleheads is what drives me. I am committed to getting better so I can get back out on stage as soon as possible.”
Adds guitarist Zoltan Bathory:
“As a band, we are committed to supporting Ivan’s road to recovery. We are as baffled and saddened as anyone to watch our brother continue to struggle. Almost everyone in the world knows someone who struggles with addiction, and can relate to how the self-destruction of someone they care about is very difficult to watch. Five Finger Death Punch has every intention of playing the dates we’re committed to and beyond. The band is bigger than any one member.”
And finally, Vext says:
“It is a tremendous honor to share the stage with Five Finger Death Punch on these remaining dates. Today I am blessed with over 8 years of sobriety, so I can certainly empathize with Ivan’s struggles. Not only do I feel a responsibility to deliver for the fans of Five Finger Death Punch on these remaining dates, but also to deliver for Ivan so he can get back to work as soon as he is healthy.”
I’m not gonna make light of Moody’s struggles with addiction; I may hate his band, but I don’t wish the dude any ill will. Hopefully he gets better soon… and stays better this time.
Get the upcoming FFDP tour dates with Vext here.
[via Metal Insider]
