(Photo: Ryan Day, Cumulus OKC – KATT)

Five Finger Death Punch are going through a rough time currently. Building up to a point where lead singer Ivan Moody will take yet another leave of absence from the band. Leaving the remaining members to finish out their ongoing European tour with Tommy Vext. You may know Tommy Vext from his previous membership with Westfield Massacre, and current band member of Bad Wolves.

Moody gave several statements updating his fans on the decision to depart. One of which revealing, “I am embarrassed and shamed 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 fee, 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.”

FFDP guitarist Zoltan Bathory also added, “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.”

Interim lead vocalist Tommy Vext said, “It is a tremendous honor to share the stage with Five Finger Death Punch on these remaining dates. Today I am blessed with over eight 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.”