On July 26, Five Finger Death Punch brought their 20th Anniversary Tour to Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview in Syracuse, delivering an explosive night of hard rock and metal alongside Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire.
It was a beautiful summer evening, with distant thunder rumbling across the horizon. While the weather looked threatening at times, it never interrupted what turned into an unforgettable night of live music.
Opening the evening was Detroit rock outfit Eva Under Fire, and they wasted no time making an impression. Their high-energy performance immediately grabbed the attention of the crowd as fans continued to make their way into the venue. Frontwoman Eva Marie’s commanding stage presence and powerful vocals helped set the tone for the night, proving exactly why the band continues to gain momentum.
Next up was country artist Cody Jinks, who shifted the atmosphere with a more laid-back, heartfelt performance. Looking throughout the amphitheater, cowboy hats could be seen everywhere as his dedicated fans sang along to every word. Before the first song was even underway, Jinks walked to the front of the stage, took a fan’s cowboy hat, signed it, and handed it back, creating an unforgettable moment that perfectly showcased his appreciation for those in attendance.
As the lights dimmed for the headliners, the anticipation reached another level. The moment Five Finger Death Punch hit the stage, the energy inside Empower FCU Amphitheater exploded.
Celebrating two decades as one of modern metal’s biggest bands, Five Finger Death Punch delivered a set packed with fan favorites, crushing riffs, and nonstop interaction with the audience. Frontman Ivan Moody was constantly on the move, rarely staying in one place for long. Time after time he made his way to the very edge of the stage, reaching out to fans lining the barricade.
Moody’s connection with the audience became one of the highlights of the evening. At one point he borrowed a fan’s phone to capture the moment from his perspective, creating a memory that fan won’t soon forget. Later, he grabbed another fan’s cowboy hat and wore it on stage before returning it, and during another song he proudly waved a fan’s flag before signing it and giving it back. Those personal interactions made an already memorable performance feel even more special.
Musically, the band sounded just as powerful as ever. The combination of blistering guitar work, thunderous drums, and Moody’s unmistakable vocals kept the crowd engaged from beginning to end. Fans sang every chorus at the top of their lungs while fists filled the air throughout the night, celebrating not only the band’s biggest hits but also their remarkable 20-year career.
From Eva Under Fire’s explosive opening set to Cody Jinks’ heartfelt performance and Five Finger Death Punch’s arena-sized celebration, the night offered something for everyone. Despite the distant thunder, the only storm that truly arrived at Empower FCU Amphitheater was the one created on stage by Five Finger Death Punch, closing out an unforgettable evening of music and celebration.
Fiver Finger Death Punch
Cody Jinks
Eva Under Fire
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