FIVE FINGER DEаTH PUNCҺ Guitarist on Touring Logistics with METALLICA talked about the band’s logistical preparations: ‘You’re Moving an Entire City Around the World’

In a recent interview with Germany’s Rock Antenne, Zoltan Bathory, guitarist for FIVE FINGER DEаTH PUNCҺ, delved into the extensive planning required for their tours, especially when joining forces with METALLICA. Bathory explained that they typically plan about a year in advance.

However, the METALLICA tour necessitated a two-year schedule due to the immense scale of the production. “When we announced our collaboration with METALLICA, we already had our next two years mapped out,” Bathory said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). “It’s like moving an entire city around the globe with trucks and hundreds of people. The logistics are incredibly complex, and a single mistake can jeopardize the whole show.”

Bathory continued, “Usually, our planning horizon is about 12 to 18 months. However, we can foresee our album releases and major projects up to six years ahead.”

In April, Bathory spoke to Audacy Check In about their experience supporting METALLICA on a massive stadium tour throughout 2023 and 2024. He noted the thrill of performing to audiences of 80,000 to 90,000 people. “METALLICA has a vast, multigenerational fanbase, accumulated over four decades,” Bathory said. “Their appeal is so broad that even non-metal fans come to see them. This gives us a unique opportunity to play for many people who might not have heard of us before. We can see the impact through online statistics, with noticeable spikes in visitors, downloads, and engagement after each show.”

FIVE FINGER DEаTH PUNCҺ kicked off their stint as a support act for METALLICA’s “M72” tour in August 2023 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Originally slated to support METALLICA during several European shows in the spring of 2023, they had to cancel to allow their singer, Ivan Moody, to recover from hernia surgery.

Reflecting on their initial performances with METALLICA in July 2022, Moody shared in a video report, “Touring with METALLICA is the pinnacle for us. They’ve paved the way for every one of us in the metal scene.”

Last month, Bathory told The Metal Podcast that FIVE FINGER DEаTH PUNCҺ plans to release a new studio album in 2025. They also announced a headlining U.S. tour for this summer, featuring MARILYN MANSON and SLаUGHTER TO PREVAIL, starting on August 2 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and concluding on September 19 in Houston, Texas.

Currently, FIVE FINGER DEаTH PUNCҺ is on a European tour, performing more stadium dates with METALLICA as part of the “M72” world tour. They are also headlining shows with special guest ICE NINE KILLS and appearing at major festivals.

The band continues to promote their ninth album, “AfterLife,” released in August 2022 via Better Noise. On April 5, they released a digital deluxe edition of “AfterLife,” featuring the original 12 tracks produced by Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE) and four bonus tracks, including three acoustic versions of album songs and a new track, “This Is The Way,” featuring the late rapper DMX.