Photos and Review by Natasha Lewandowski
July 26, 2026 – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview, Syracuse, NY
Five Finger Death Punch once again demonstrated why they remain one of modern metal’s premier live acts, turning Syracuse’s Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater into a roaring, fist-pumping sea of energy during their 20th Anniversary World Tour stop. The night delivered crushing riffs, massive singalongs, and a genuine connection between band and crowd that felt earned after two decades of hard-hitting anthems.
The evening opened with strong support from Eva Under Fire and Cody Jinks. Eva Under Fire brought sharp, modern hard-rock intensity that primed the amphitheater early, while Cody Jinks offered a contrasting outlaw-country edge that somehow meshed with the metal crowd, broadening the night’s appeal and keeping energy high across a diverse audience of rock and metal fans. By the time the lights dropped and the intro music rolled, the anticipation was electric.
Five Finger Death Punch took the stage with the precision and confidence of a band that has refined its live craft over years of arena and amphitheater runs. Their signature mix of crushing riffs, soaring choruses, and tightly locked musicianship hit even harder in person than on record. The chemistry between Ivan Moody’s commanding vocals, the dual-guitar attack, Chris Kael’s driving bass, and Charlie Engen’s powerful drumming was undeniable—each member feeding off the others and the crowd in equal measure.
The set struck a smart balance between new material from the forthcoming Legacy album and longtime fan favorites. Tracks like “Welcome to the Circus,” “Eye of the Storm,” “Legacy,” and “De Oppresso Liber” showcased the band’s continued evolution while still sounding at home alongside the established arsenal. Classics such as “Wash It All Away,” “Jekyll and Hyde,” “Under and Over It,” “Burn MF,” and the always-potent “Wrong Side of Heaven” ignited full-throated participation, turning the amphitheater into a collective choir. The Bad Company cover once again proved one of the night’s biggest communal moments, with thousands of voices rising together. Emotional peaks and heavier breakdowns reminded everyone that Five Finger Death Punch has long excelled at pairing aggression with heartfelt songwriting.
Setlist (20th Anniversary World Tour):
- Welcome to the Circus
- Eye of the Storm
- Legacy
- Wash It All Away
- Jekyll and Hyde
- Under and Over It
- Bad Company (Bad Company cover)
- De Oppresso Liber
- Burn It Down
- Burn MF
- Wrong Side of Heaven
- IOU
Visually, the production matched the music’s intensity without overpowering it. Towering lighting rigs, synchronized strobes, and dramatic video backdrops amplified every breakdown and chorus, making the stage feel larger than life while keeping the focus on the performance itself. The outdoor amphitheater setting only heightened the atmosphere as the summer evening stretched on.
What stood out most was the reciprocal energy between the band and the audience. Between songs the tone shifted from raw aggression to genuine appreciation, with the band acknowledging the fans who have stuck with them through two decades. That sense of mutual respect elevated the night beyond a standard high-energy metal show into something more lasting.
By the final notes, the amphitheater remained a sea of raised fists and satisfied fans. Five Finger Death Punch didn’t just play Syracuse—they owned it, reaffirming their status as a must-see live act on this anniversary run.
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