Ivan Moody Says He’ll Be Back On Tour With FFDP Next Month
It looks like Five Finger Death Punch will be whole again when the group returns to the road next month.
Frontman Ivan Moody, who dropped out of the group’s European tour last month to deal with substance abuse issues, has posted a statement on the group’s social media platforms to tell fans he’s “on track” to be back with the group when it begins a North American tour on August 19 in Springfield, Ill.
Moody revealed that he is “in a treatment facility addressing the addiction issues that have interfered with everything in my life,” apologized to fans for missing shows and thanked them for their “unwavering support,” thanked his bandmates for their support and praised Tommy Vext, who filled in for him in Europe.
Moody has been in rehab before, following on onstage meltdown during May 2015 in Memphis and after missing eight shows during FFDP’s fall 2016 tour, with All That Remains’ Phil Labonte filling in.
The frontman’s full statement reads:
To All Five Finger Death Punch Fans:
I wanted to write to all of you and express my deep
regret for not being able to finish the last few shows on our European summer tour.
I am in a treatment facility addressing the addiction
issues that have interfered with everything in my life.
I love you guys and I love my band… It’s what I
do and I can’t imagine my life without it. I am 100% committed to getting healthy so I can get back on stage with Five Finger Death Punch.
At this point, I AM ON TRACK TO RETURN TO THE BAND
WITH A VENGEANCE in Springfield, IL, when we begin the next leg of our North American tour dates. It’s my intention to sing at each and every future
show we are committed to, in North America and in Europe. I can’t wait to put all of this behind me and move forward.
I’d like to thank Tommy Vext for doing such a great
job filling in for me while I was away. I’d like to thank my brothers in 5FDP for supporting me through these hard times. We’ve been through hell and back and we’re not gonna stop here. I would also like to thank my family & friends for standing behind me
while I take care of what I need to regarding my health. But most importantly, I’d like to thank you, the fans, for your unwavering support as I recover. This has not been an easy year for me, but your encouragement and positivity is what keeps me going.
See all you Knuckleheads on August 19th!!
Ivan Moody
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.
