FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has pushed back the release date of the digital deluxe edition of “AfterLife”, the band’s critically acclaimed ninth studio album, to April 5 from the previously announced February 9 via Better Noise Music. The deluxe version will include the original 12 tracks recorded with the band’s longtime producer Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE) in addition to four bonus tracks: three acoustic versions of the album’s songs “The End”, “Judgement Day” and “Thanks For Asking” plus a brand new song, “This Is The Way”, featuring the late rapper DMX. An official music video for “This Is The Way (Featuring DMX)” is directed by none other than highly influential filmmaker Hype Williams, a longtime friend and close collaborator of the late DMX. Hailed by The New York Times in 2024 as “The Nineties Wunderkind,” Hype Williams is known for his seminal work with luminaries like Tupac, Wu-Tang Clan and Jay-Z, among others. The video will be released to coincide with the deluxe edition of “AfterLife” on April 5.

In other news, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is celebrating three recent platinum certifications for some of the band’s most popular releases: the “Blue On Black” 2019 single featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brantley Gilbert and Brian May; the “Blue On Black” 2018 single; and the “Got Your Six” 2015 album.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory says about “This Is The Way (Featuring DMX)”: “Music is meant to be shared, and it starts at the top with us, the artists. We have always embraced the mixing of genres, whether it be the remake of LL Cool J‘s ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ featuring Tech N9ne as a guest or our collaboration with blues warrior Kenny Wayne Shepherd, country star Brantley Gilbert, and Brian May, the legendary guitarist of QUEEN, on the song ‘Blue On Black’.

“The idea of collaborating with DMX had been in discussion for years, and it was a long and winding road to turn this particular item on our wish list into reality. He was a lyrical warrior, a true original who spoke his mind incorruptibly. We have always viewed DMX as ‘the metalhead of hip-hop’ because of his aggressive, raw, and untamed style. He growled and snarled, aiming to rattle some cages — an attitude we share, as FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has always been drawn to the fearless and the real. It made all the sense in the world, but today this is more than just a song; it’s a salute to a legend, a way to honor DMX‘s memory.”

Upon announcement of the digital deluxe version of “AfterLife” today, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has premiered an advance listen to the previously unreleased acoustic version of “Judgement Day” which can be streamed below. The band previously partnered with Covenant House in November 2023 and released an official video for “Judgement Day” during National Runaway Prevention Month to help raise awareness about the Youth Homelessness Crisis.

“AfterLife: Deluxe” track listing:
01. Welcome To The Circus
02. AfterLife
03. Times Like These
04. Roll Dem Bones
05. Pick Up Behind You
06. Judgment Day
07. IOU
08. Thanks For Asking
09. Blood And Tar
10. All I Know
11. Gold Gutter
12. The End
13. This Is The Way(feat. DMX)
14. Judgment Day (acoustic)
15. The End (acoustic)
16. Thanks For Asking (acoustic)

As previously reported, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH will embark on a full European tour of headline dates as well as festival appearances this summer. The tour also coincides with the European portion of METALLICA‘s “M72” tour on which FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH continues to tour stadiums around the world as special guest.

For the headline dates of the summer tour, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH will bring along ICE NINE KILLS as special guest. The latter band has cemented itself as one of modern metal’s most vicious forces with its current album, “The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood”. ICE NINE KILLS will also be featured on the 2024 lineup of the ongoing METALLICA “M72” world tour.