Five Finger Death Punch rocks Q-West

CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION Q-WEST, Iraq - Five Finger Death Punch, a heavy metal band from Los Angeles, met with Soldiers and played a live show March 5 at the outdoor theater on Contingency Operating Location Q-West, Iraq.

The band was honored to have the privilege to come to Iraq and play for Soldiers, said Ivan Moody, the band's singer.

The tour is their first visit to Iraq, but they had been to Kuwait to perform for Soldiers before, Moody said.

"We don't get a lot of visitors up here," said Col. Larry Phelps, the commander of the 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). "Every now and then, we get an opportunity to get some folks that are really dedicated to America's Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines."

Soldiers often ask the band how the flight or food was, but on tours like this, it isn't about the band, explained bassist Matt Snell.

"We're here for you guys," Snell said. "Don't worry about us - we're fine."

The concert did more than just give Soldiers something to do on a Friday night.

"I think the morale of the Soldiers is boosted tremendously," said Lt. Col. Paula Lodi, the commander of the Special Troops Battalion, 15th Sust. Bde. "They come all the way from the states, donate their time, donate their talent, and show the troops they have the support of the troops back home."

A few of the Soldiers even became new fans of the band.

"I never heard of them before," said Spc. Jeffrey Stewart, an intelligence analyst with the 15th Sust. Bde. "But now, I'm a fan - now, I'm definitely a big fan of them."