RECAP: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH + MARILYN MANSON ROCK ROGERS ARENA

Vancouver’s Rogers Arena trembled under the force of Five Finger Death Punch (5FDP) and Marilyn Manson on August 27th, marking the 16th stop on their explosive tour. Fresh off their gigs as openers for Metallica’s “M72 World Tour,” 5FDP proved they’re more than capable of holding their own as headliners. Together with the dark allure of Manson, they delivered a night that left the audience in awe, and literally rocked the arena.

Photos by Tage Stenner / Backspin Canada

The energy in the building was changed at 8:00pm with the unmistakable presence of Marilyn Manson. As the arena filled with smoke and a flashing red light, the anticipation grew, and the energy was almost tangible as the curtain dropped. Manson emerged, cloaked in a black leather trench coat, his signature pale makeup amplifying his gothic aura. The stage was a vision of dark elegance, bathed in deep red light that cast haunting shadows across the crowd. Every flash of white light punctuated the intensity of his performance, pulling the audience into the sinister world he creates so effortlessly.

Manson’s setlist was a quick tour through his career, from the aggressive opener “We Know Where You Fucking Live” to the haunting rendition of Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” Each song felt like a carefully orchestrated piece of dark theater, with the audience singing every note. The night’s highlight came with “The Beautiful People,” where Manson’s commanding presence and the fiery stage design collided, creating an unforgettable finale.

But if Manson’s performance was an invitation to the dark side, Five Finger Death Punch’s set was a call to arms. The band hit the stage with the raw, unfiltered energy they’ve become known for. Lead singer Ivan Moody emerged in a stark white outfit, adorned with black lace patterns, a striking contrast to the blood-red spattered socks that hinted at the chaos to come. His microphone stand, a gothic masterpiece with a menacing skull, became a symbol of the intensity that 5FDP was about to unleash on the arena.

From the opening notes of “Welcome to the Circus,” it was clear 5FDP wasn’t holding back. The band’s crowd work was next-level, with Moody engaging directly with fans, even tossing guitar picks to the photographers in the pit. This wasn’t a typical performance; it was an interactive experience that blurred the lines between the band and the audience. During “Jekyll and Hyde,” Moody paused to personally thank the fans and invited those in the floor seats to jump the barricade into the general admission pit—a move that turned the already wild crowd into a frenzy. Security had their hands full, but the chaos only added to the adrenaline-pumping atmosphere.

While the pit may have devolved into a whirlwind of moshing and flailing limbs, with more than a few bloody noses, it was all part of the controlled madness that 5FDP is known for. Despite the intensity, the band made sure the fans knew they were appreciated, and the camaraderie between the band and the crowd was palpable. By the time they launched into their encore with “Under and Over It” and “The Bleeding,” the arena was a sea of fists and horns, every voice raised in unison.

As the chaos of the show came to the end, it was clear that Five Finger Death Punch and Marilyn Manson had delivered a night that Vancouver won’t soon forget. The question that lingers: When was the last time you felt music like this reverberate through your bones?

This tour isn’t just a series of shows—it’s a full-on assault on the senses, a dark carnival that leaves nothing in its wake. Whether you’re in the pit or in the seats, this is a show you don’t want to miss.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Aug. 29, 2024, Airway Heights, WA - BECU Live Outdoor Venue

Aug. 31, 2024, Ridgefield, WA - RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

Sep. 1, 2024, Seattle, WA - Lumen Field Event Center

Sep. 3, 2024, Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre

Sep. 4, 2024, Chula Vista, CA - North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

Sep. 6, 2024, Anaheim, CA - Honda Center

Sep. 8, 2024, Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena

Sep. 10, 2024, Phoenix, AZ - Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

Sep. 11, 2024, Albuquerque, NM - Isleta Amphitheater

Sep. 13, 2024, Durant, OK - Choctaw Grand Theater

Sep. 15, 2024, Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheatre