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Five Finger Death Punch - Wrong Side of Heaven - Guitar Lesson

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Key D minor
Five Finger Death Punch - Wrong Side of Heaven guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
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Five Finger Death Punch Heavy Metal D minor
Capo Advisor 0 D minor · Original key

About Wrong Side of Heaven

Drop D tuning is absolutely central to "Wrong Side of Heaven" by Five Finger Death Punch. That one-step drop gives you the low open D that powers the heavy, palm-muted riffing running through the track, and it means single-finger power chords on the low two strings are all over the place. The key of D minor keeps the mood dark and heavy, and at 95 BPM the tempo is moderate enough that the groove matters more than raw speed. The challenge is not just getting the notes but nailing the tight, percussive palm muting that gives the riff its punch. If your mute placement feels inconsistent, use the Practice Toolbar to loop that section slowed down until your picking hand placement becomes automatic. The song also moves between heavier chug passages and more open, melodic chord work, so switching cleanly between those two feels is where most players need focused work. This is a strong entry point into Heavy Metal rhythm playing.

  • Drop D tuning lets you barre power chords with one finger on the low two strings, which is essential for the main riff throughout the song.
  • The 95 BPM tempo is moderate, so the priority is tight, consistent palm muting rather than picking speed.
  • Practise switching cleanly between the palm-muted chug sections and the open, sustained chord passages, as that contrast defines the song's feel.

How to Play Wrong Side of Heaven

Tuning: Drop D · Key: D minor · Tempo: 95 BPM

The drop D tuning lets you fret the low power chords with a single finger, which is central to the heavier riffing here.

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 95 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Zoltan Bathory's weapon of choice, delivering the thick, saturated high-gain tone with pronounced low-mid chunk essential for 5FDP's drop-tuned rhythm work. Driven hard at gain 7-8, it creates the compressed wall-of-sound feel that defines their heaviest riffs.

Peavey 5150
Amp

Peavey 5150

Jason Hook paired this with Mesa heads to achieve a tighter, more focused lead tone that cuts through the band's dense rhythm section. The 5150's focused gain character complements his fast, aggressive lead playing style.

EMG 81
Pickup

EMG 81

Loaded in Zoltan's ESP signature bridge position, this pickup delivers the tight, compressed attack perfect for palm-muted chugging with minimal muddiness in low tunings. The 81's controlled output keeps 5FDP's heaviest riffs articulate and punchy.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Used by multiple band members for accent riffs and lead dynamics, this wah adds expressive character without cluttering 5FDP's stripped-down, amp-driven tone philosophy. It's essential for punctuating their aggressive rhythm sections.

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Pedal

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

Jason Hook deployed this for lead ambience and spacious moments within 5FDP's otherwise dense arrangements. The DD-3 provides subtle modulation and delay that enhances solo tone without competing with the wall-of-sound rhythm approach.

ISP Decimator Noise Gate
Pedal

ISP Decimator Noise Gate

Zoltan Bathory's noise gate of choice, keeping the high-gain signal tight and controlled when executing palm-muted chugging at low tunings. Essential for maintaining clarity in 5FDP's relentless, heavily saturated rhythm tone.

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