Five Finger Death Punch’s Zoltán Báthory on Music, Community and Judo

For Five Finger Death Punch founder Zoltán Báthory, two decades as a band are measured not only in albums and tours, but in the people who have carried the music into their own lives. The rhythm guitarist and primary songwriter says the group’s connection with fans remains central as it marks its 20th anniversary and tours behind its 10th studio album, Legacy.

The band began drawing attention in the MySpace era, when some magazine writers doubted it would last. Báthory recalls that the group kept its focus on making music and that listeners stayed with them. “It was always the people’s band,” he said. His pride in the milestone comes with gratitude for the audience that has sustained the group through two decades.

Music that travels beyond the stage

Báthory knows the band’s hard rock sound won’t suit every listener. But fans have told him that songs such as “Under and Over It” and “Wash it All Away” are part of their workout playlists, or helped them through a difficult period. He sees those stories as a meaningful measure of the music’s place in people’s lives.

That connection also reflects Báthory’s own interests. He trains at Flex Lewis’ Dragon Lair gym in Las Vegas and describes himself as part of the fitness community as well as the hard rock and heavy metal scene. “I’m proud of that because these are my people,” he said.

Some listeners have found the band’s music useful as a source of routine or encouragement during demanding circumstances. Báthory recalled hearing from a service member who said listening to the group helped him prepare for each day in a war zone and get through it. For Báthory, accounts like that give the band a sense that its work can matter beyond entertainment. He said they also help keep the group going.

Five Finger Death Punch has also supported veterans and firefighters through donations to the Call of Duty Endowment fund and other fundraising tied to its music. Báthory has served on boards for organizations including the Home Deployment Project. These efforts sit alongside the band’s relationship with listeners in military and first responder communities, where music can be one part of a person’s daily routine or personal support system.

Judo as practice and purpose

Judo has been a lasting part of Báthory’s life. He grew up in Hungary, where the sport was more popular than it is in North America, and began following it at age 9. He was competing in tournaments before he became a teenager. He credits judo’s philosophy with shaping how he thinks, not simply with developing his athletic skills.

“I can say and I can claim that that philosophy of judo was one of the key elements of me becoming successful,” he said. “It rewires your mind, and you start to think very differently.” That is Báthory’s personal account of what the discipline has meant to him; it isn’t a claim that judo produces the same effects for everyone.

He still trains and competes, and has also taken up jiujitsu. Báthory reports holding black belts in both disciplines. His involvement extends beyond his own practice: he wants to make judo more visible in the United States and help American athletes who hope to compete at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Báthory says he has worked with USA Judo and the International Judo Federation. He has also committed financial support to the American judo team. A portion of ticket sales from the band’s current tour is going to USA Judo to help cover athletes’ participation in training camps, he said. His stated aim is to help the team prepare and give more people a reason to take up the sport.

That support connects his work as a musician with a personal interest that began in childhood. For Báthory, judo involves continued practice and competition, while his support for the sport gives him another way to contribute to a community he values.

Looking beyond the anniversary

Five Finger Death Punch is continuing its 20th anniversary world tour, which began with its North American leg in July. Báthory describes a loyal fan base and the chance to keep creating and performing as lasting sources of motivation, despite the challenges and criticism that come with a long career.

He sees a shared thread among the people who follow the band and the communities he supports: many are focused on helping others. “What is the common denominator between these people? They all help other people.” That perspective helps explain why his commitments range from music and fitness to judo and support for veterans and firefighters.

The band’s next chapter will be shaped by its continued work onstage and in the studio, while Báthory’s involvement with judo points to a longer-term goal: giving the sport greater visibility and supporting athletes’ preparation. Fans can learn more about Five Finger Death Punch, its tour and Legacy through the band’s channels, including its YouTube channel. Báthory also shares updates on Instagram at @zoltanbathory and @zoltanbjj.