Here’s a bizarre story to start your day: A top advisor for Russian president Vladimir Putin has quoted lines from Five Finger Death Punch in a critical column aimed at the United States. In the article, Vladislav Surkov drops lines from multiple FFDP songs, such as “Wash it All Away” and “I Apologize.”

The inspiration behind using Five Finger Death Punch seems to be the band’s Nov. 9 performance in Moscow. Surkov even calls FFDP “the best modern American metal band” alongside Disturbed. He utilizes the line, “Done with all your hypocrisy” from “Wash it All Away” to condemn western civilization and “I never understood what was wrong, but what’s right” from “I Apologize” to tackle ethical schemes.

Surkov’s piece is an odd read, especially considering his strategy of belittling America by using the words of one of metal’s most pro-American bands. FFDP guitarist Zoltan Bathory isn’t taking the bait, as he responded with a message of unity between citizens of the U.S., Russia and even Iran:

Ha... Another one in Bloomberg.... The title reads: "How U.S.-Russia Diplomacy Went Heavy Metal - In the new Cold War, pragmatic dialogue is out. Quoting Five Finger Death Punch is in"
Well.... let me just say.... It's especially interesting that we just happened to be in Russia at the moment. We had a fantastic show at the Stadium in Moscow yesterday... The energy of the crowd was incredible. We love our Russian fans just as much as they love us... They are at the airport when we arrive, follow us all over Europe, all the way to America, even to South America... We see their faces and we see their sawn together Half-Russian-Half-American flags everywhere... We are family... Music Unites.... 
I can tell you.... between the people ... there is NO hate... there is NO cold war here... so let's NOT make one. I grew up on this side of the iron curtain in communism... so I have ACTUAL memories of the cold war.... Even back then... though we were told by the communist media that America was the "Enemy"... Nobody... and I mean nobody sane actually believed that... We loved American Music, American culture... and the American people... We understood the difference between propaganda and reality...
Just as I ran into some Iranian kids in the elevator... as they were taking photos - they actually said - "please don't believe the media" ... they are lying to you! We don't hate America... and they tried to explain that regular (especially younger) people don't feel that way whatsoever...
The media needs to be responsible with their words - choosing ratings over peace is irresponsible
So let's tone down the hysteria and try harder with that dialogue...

You’ve gotta respect Bathory’s level-headed and harmonious response. For all of FFDP’s upcoming tour dates, click here.

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