Why We "Forgot" About Slave To Nothing

[@brandoverse373]

Slave to Nothing was actually the record that got me into FFAK, I think it was early 2016 when I found it through redditcore, and I instantly fell in love with y'all. That album will always hold a special place in my heart.

[@ChronicBreakdown]

Wow I think Slave to Nothing is a masterpiece. Every song is great in my opinion. I still have my STN shirt from 2014 and the CD is still in my car's radio!

[@PK-ep8nj]

100% agree

[@BlackViolina]

Me too 🥺

[@willh9104]

This is surprising to hear! I always thought STN was really well received. I love that album so much. Can't wait to see y'all live some day ❤️

[@ryankirbz]

I think the people who liked our band already liked it, but it didnt reach anyone outside of that.

[@willh9104]

@@ryankirbz that makes a lot of sense actually. Being able to reach people outside of those that be already know you is probably the hardest part that I've found about making music. Kudos on you guys for developing and growing as far as you have, still going strong. God bless man!

[@50c42]

@@ryankirbz STN was actually the album that got me into metal a few years ago and some of my favorite songs are still STN songs

[@victorviginti1045]

​@@ryankirbzSlave to Nothing chegou aqui no Brasil

[@EK33311]

you guyss gotta start playing stuff from descendants, its underrated as heck, good video.

[@retrogamer41_sepiamta]

I think Slave To Nothing was a stellar album. The whole theme of that album actually got me hooked too. Shame that, like you say, it never took off. Wish you guys could at least play one of the songs from that album live.

[@BigMetalDaddy1301]

I love this album a lot. Really a lot! His singing is freaking insane on this album and every song sticks out easily in a good way to me.

[@dadsnotcomnhome3097]

Its my favorite album ever done from you guys, every song is great, the writing is fantastic, the mix is great, singing is awesome. 8 years later i always go back and listen to slave to nothing over any ffak album. A greater sense of self is the best ffak song, in my opinion.

[@_merican_missile_22]

Loved slave to nothing! Favorite track was Hooked and we blasted it over the stereo every weekend for a month. Sort of wish ffak could bring some of that style into new music. Although y'all are still dropping bangers. Much love from OKC 🔥

[@Cc-zq3bk]

The final thoughts of a dying man is a great song

[@sEEKllsevN]

probably their most underrated, and 'unchanging'

[@djentwxrship_9737]

Man Slave To Nothing was epic when it was out. Would play it non stop and helped me out in tough times. To this day I still jam front to back!!!!

[@Iruleyoufail]

I'm not going to lie the recording of Slave to Nothing sounded like an awkward experience however I think it was a good learning experience that a band's cohesiveness is dependent on the relationship of each member.

[@taylorredwing6250]

Selfish eyes is my favorite fit for a king song, saw them on tour for that record it was a very special show in houston with phinehas, silent planet, Gideon, fit for a king, and for today. I will never forget that show.

[@stephensisco9541]

This album saved my life for sure...for me there is so much feeling in the some of the songs....my favorite is A greater sense of self....I love the emotion in the song

[@otonek0]

It's sad it never took off but Slave to Nothing was the album that got me into listening to you all. It's the one album where I loved every song and now know all the words to every song. I still love your current music and look forward to more but that album definitely has a special place in my brain and heart.

[@rickybobby6386]

Dude. IMO slave to nothing is one of the best metal core albums out there. Seriously every single song is just incredible. Just my opinion.

[@adam1984k]

One of ffak best albums

[@bradywildeman3050]

Slave to nothing was a great album & it deserves a repress on vinyl with wall flags shirts & hoodies 😉

[@RG_Adapt]

I always wanted to hear Break Away live!!!

[@Wadeforce]

Nice mavs shirt Luka is a beast. - Orlando Magic fan

[@justinchoate7458]

Loving these new commentary/discussion-style videos!

[@PK-ep8nj]

STN is one of my top 2 FFAK favorites both lyrically and instrumentally. It's one of the albums that really got me hooked on the combination of clean and unclean vocals put together and I love all the bass drops. It's what you were playing the first time I saw you at Warped tour in Mesa, AZ. I was immediately hooked! I believe I bought the CD and some other stuff from Bob when he was at the merch table.😁

[@tylergibbs3736]

Would love the video on choosing the setlist!

[@bryanholmdohl4382]

Slave to nothing will always be my number one... it was also the first song I heard by them

[@awesomeplay8076]

slave to nothing is most likely the best album in FFaK album! It was AWESOME because every song is sooooo unpredictable!

[@dallincase3004]

Man, that's crazy! Slave To Nothing has remained my favorite record for a long time (though THWC is creeping up on it). I really would love to hear you guys touch Selfish Eyes again, and maybe even include the lines removed from the original rock version. Despite how disjointed the record is, I think it lends itself to the power it has. I dunno. I love it and would love to see it played more. Heck, a re-release or an anniversary edition would be a dream come true.

[@followthewolves1991]

Slave to Nothing was one of my favorite albums by you guys. I jammed out to "Young & Undeserving" and "Hooked" all the time. Still do.

[@jesspridmore4484]

Slave to Nothing is probably my favourite FFAK album! Listened to it every day for so long when it came out and it still holds up to this day! A greater sense of self hits hard!

[@AjaxJP]

Have you guys ever caught backlash from other Christians for touring with "non-Christian" bands? I know a friend of mine hated that ABR toured with Parkway Drive, and I never understood why someone would get mad about that.

[@mroddydawg]

That’s crazy. Hooked, Impostor.. great stuff. I would listen to this album from the first to last song. All the way through

[@minecraftsteve2504]

I adore Slave to Nothing. The only reason I haven't gotten a copy was because the tour (in 2018) didn't have any records to sell I adored the melody that came with the album, and it also gave that staple of fit for a king being a band that does new sounds with each album. With this video, it's definitely understandable, but Id love to hear imposter, young & undeserving, or even selfish eyes played live. Before oblivion came out, young & undeserving was one of my favorite songs. If anything, at least STN was a stepping stone toward something better

[@ryankirbz]

We have tried a few times to bring songs from the record into our set list, including on our 2019 headline tour, we played "A Greater Sense Of Self", and it went so poorly with the crowd that we swapped it out for another more popular song.

[@keegan7th]

@@ryankirbz imo that may not have been the one to go with, maybe the title track, young and undeserving, final thoughts of a dying man, or hooked wouldve went better Big fan of you guys and have seen you a bunch

[@minecraftsteve2504]

@@ryankirbz that's unfortunate :( I wish the 2020 show in NC hadn't gotten cancelled due to covid, because greater sense of self was definitely another good song that I relisten to when revisiting the album

[@AlexeiMikhailBoleslav]

Slave to Nothing is what got me into the band, especially Break Away. It’s the first record I play for people when I want to introduce them to your music, or even what I play when I tell non metalheads that I listen to “Christian death metal” (as they’d call it)

[@carlelderberg9855]

I was in high school band with Bobby. Great funny guy. Much love!

[@MightyBigMeech]

I love Slave to Nothing! That's what introduced me to you guys! Definitely one of my all time favorite albums by ANY band!

[@caelansloper2891]

That’s a bummer. I didn’t realize the record didn’t sell that well. Slave to Nothing was what recently came out when I discovered you guys, I loved it and I’ve been following you guys since. But if it’s just a weird place for you guys to revisit, I get it.

[@AdamJCastro]

Would love to see you talk more on you tube 🔥 A set list planning video would be awesome 🤘

[@Mike.Y858]

This is crazy to hear, its my favorite album.

[@joelsorensen8473]

Hooked & Slave to Nothing are two of my favorite songs by you guys. I guess everyone has different tastes. Honorable mention, selfish eyes. I play that acoustically myself because I love it as well.

[@highflowerOG]

It was one of my favorite albums, in fact it was my first FFAK record. But that’s just one metalhead from Oklahoma’s opinion lol

[@rchapa130]

I can see how maybe it wasn't a commercial success. It was a little less cohesive than the albums that came after it. That's part of what I love about it. The focus seems to be more on each song than the album as a whole. I love listening to STN on my hour commute precisely because it sounds like a mix. Y'all have really matured in your albums since then, and your work has been fantastic. You've said before that it's hard to pick set lists because more of your songs are increasingly popular. I don't know the first thing about making a "good" set list from a business standpoint, but I think a throwback set would be awesome! Introduce new people to your older stuff and showcase where you started. I would love to hear Imposter, Forever Unbroken, and (unpopular opinion?) even Selfish Eyes. That's just my opinion though. As one guy wrote in a devotional one time, people pleasing will destroy you.

[@johannestiukuvaara9978]

Definitely the best album cause of the progressive vibe with double kicks

[@TheLieutenant]

That's funny because Slave to Nothing was the album that got me into FFAK and basically made them my favorite band 😂

[@jch_music]

Slave to Nothing will always have a special place to me cause it's what introduced me to you guys. But I can understand why it's not your favorite out of your elite discography (which yes, StN is also an elite record in my eyes).

[@G4JVideos]

Damn, I freaking loved this album back in the day.

[@WeAllFloatHere]

Have Slave to nothing tatted on my arm 🙏🏻 LOVE that album

[@noturavgpro7265]

I listen to every album to this day and they still hit the same 😎💪

[@Heavensweapon93]

Haters gonna hate. That was the album that got me into y'all. I picked it up the day after it came out at Mardels out in mesquite looking for new stuff. Different sound? Sure. Great album? Absolutely.

[@sEEKllsevN]

It's still the only album with bassdrops from you guys, which im a huge sucker for in metalcore/deathcore, so just based on that its my favorite. im sorry you guys had a forgettable experience with it

[@dustin6528]

That’s kind of shocking. It’s still my favorite and, judging by the comments, I’m not alone.

[@sytheopath1241]

I have been listening to this band religiously since Creation/destruction. And i have to admit, i wasnt a huge fan of slave to nothing , some good tracks but i always thought it was the least strong. But regardless I LOOOOVEE this band and you guys kick ass

[@HypnoticChronic1]

A bit late to the party here, but personally Slave to Nothing is one of my favorite FFAK songs, I mean the "I hope you rot!!!" still gives me a chill every time and it was the song that got a few of my homies interested in y'all, I will admit tho overall the album was not as great as Creation/Destruction was. That said The Resistance is still my all time favorite its a straight banger of a song from the instrumentals to the lyrics, its a flawless song in my opinion and I do listen to both songs at least once every day especially during my workouts.

[@matthewspence213]

I would Love to see a video about the set list, I also wanted to ask if maybe you could explain the process that goes into which bands go on tour with you and vice versa. Much Love Kirby🤟🏼

[@thesmiths4204]

I honestly never even thought that Slave to Nothing was your "worst" album. Every album brings something different to the table and I felt like Slave to Nothing really built on Creation/Destruction and felt like a proper sequel in terms of writing and style.

[@joemcfadden1148]

This is wild to me because STN is the album that got me into you guys in the first place because of the song with Mattie from For Today. Absolutely love the record still to this day and FFAK is by far my favorite band.

[@rywywqiuweyuryuhfkjrefhjjregf]

You really should make a video on how you choose a setlist, that'd be a very interesting video for both fans and non-fans of FFAK.

[@Justaguy5678]

Thanks for this video. Helpful explanation. I love this album because of the themes throughout. I'm sure you guys would've done it differently now, but I really like it. Love your new stuff as well though. Your newest album I think is perhaps your best work yet. You guys put so much work in on every album and I really appreciate it. Cant wait to see you on tour later this month. 2 years in a row!

[@seifdog6244]

🥺 imposter would still be great live

[@oliverschulz4413]

Really surprising to me too. All albums from ffak are masterpieces. Those songs with those strong lyrics are really important to me !

[@azza0909ify]

hi ryan. I started listening to ffak in 2018 and have been a huge fan ever since. really love all your work especially since you guys are pretty much the closest i got to my all time favourite band (adept) in style in my opinion atleast. Just really enjoyed everything you guys have released so far and have rewatched almost all live concerts i could find on youtube. I have had a huge blast with you guys and are praying that you are coming to sweden sometime soon. best wishes.

[@JPMiller509]

Thanks for the explanation, Ryan. That album is a banger and got me through a lot of tough times. Seen you all live 6 times and no matter what's on the set list you all crush it.

[@javii197]

Dang i love that album. I have the album cover tatted on me XD

[@jonahgoetze8121]

2 things: Slave to nothing was a hell of a meme at warped tour when you guys were doing 10 dollar pre orders on a wide ruled notebook. I liked you guys so I bought the pre-order fully expecting to potentially not get the CD and I was ok with that. The album didn't even publicly have a name at that time. Come down the line to October and all the sudden a whole week before the album released this cd shows up in my mailbox. 16 year old me was rather happy. One of my favorite FFAK records for certain. The emotional drive is raw and unrelenting. It might not sound like your most polished work, but it sounds powerful. You guys should feel proud of it even if the process isn't your favorite memory. Now to my 2nd point, please get it repressed on vinyl. I made a poor choice to not obtain it when the price had not become inflated to about 700% the original retail for a sealed copy. So yeah more vinyls pretty please. Also you guys need to swing thru Fargo, ND. I've lived here almost 6 years and never seen a show listed for ND

[@QSAirsoft]

could you do a vid about how the band started as far as members joining and records and songs being released

[@ndefiore]

Slave to nothing Is my favorite ffak album

[@anthonywoodham3311]

Sadness I really enjoy that album

[@johndoes0123]

I definitely wanna hear how you guys choose ur set list taht sounds awesome. And I love slave to nothing too. I've been listen to fit for a king since creation/destruction. I even met Kirby once at a show and had a great talk.. I still remember that n appreciate it

[@HPTFan]

I haven't listen to Slave to Nothing in a long time, but it still is a good album in my ears.

[@blitzkrieg634]

Title track still lit

[@cardwell88]

Slave to nothing was actually when I discovered FFK. Slave to nothing was a banger track.

[@keegan7th]

STN is the GOAT

[@Mr-Ryo]

I loved the album, STN is top 3 out of all you albums. Everyone should start listening to the album again

[@Dyerdrummer]

This is crazy to me haha Slave to Nothing is amazing 😁 Of course, every FFAK album has several bangers on it 😊

[@johnkayreactions6963]

I loved slave to nothing I found it was a awesome song

[@godsreclamation2539]

Slave to nothing got me into it ffak. Seen you guys 3 times in Chicago. Crazy to think it was not a good seller.

[@iamtheSoup]

It's such a great record. At some point yall should throw a song in just to surprise everyone

[@ryankirbz]

We tried that and didnt go over too well haha

[@iamtheSoup]

@@ryankirbz damn

[@badreligionmike]

I actually like this record a lot bought it at a f.y.e. kill the pain was my favorite song.

[@elitaft7127]

Bummer man :) I get the reasons but I'm sad the album didn't sell more. I listen to it more frequently than most of the newer ones (but less than the older ones). I especially really really love Young & Deserving, A Greater Sense of Self, Imposter, and Final Thoughts of a Dying Man. Would love to see these live. On this whole album I really liked the groovy way the drums and guitars complemented each other.

[@paulgallagher7856]

Appreciate the video! It's absolutely my favorite album from you guys, but this makes sense and answers a lot of questions.

[@RogerSanderson]

That’s my son’s favorite album. He’s only 2 years old.

[@Derek71776]

Rapping with a major chorus? I hope you're not talking about Final Thoughts of a Dying Man. That is a certified banger, top 10 from y'all.

[@ryankirbz]

If only most people though that way, its sitting at #69 on our spotify right now haha

[@PK-ep8nj]

Dang. One of my favorites

[@myoiryuig1245]

Can you do a video on how you get features with a lot of bands out there?

[@XYZLMNOP]

You guys should at LEAST have “Slave to Nothing” in your set list.

[@jaredmatthews1561]

video about choosing your set list would be really interesting! i think it’s also interesting to note that Slave to Nothing was your highest charting release! i think it went to number 49 on the billboard charts

[@ryankirbz]

I think that just reinforced that idea that only current (at the time) fans, were the ones who liked the record, because after the first week, the sales and streams plummeted.

[@jaredmatthews1561]

@@ryankirbz word, yeah i understand that. Its still fire like all of your music haha. i can’t wait to see more new content and new music

[@nixsommers2203]

Hey dude, I'd personally love to hear more about making setlists and really any advice about performing in general. I also found your mic video really helpful. Keep doing what you're doing :-)

[@winterunterseher8937]

One other question I would have is on the decline of the use of Tuck's singing as well since Slave to Nothing/Deathgrip? Was it a live performance consideration or sound preference choice or just you starting to come into your own as a singer yourself Ryan around Deathgrip especially?

[@evanr9992]

My favorite record is behind him in that cubby on the right side. I love The Path. Favorite song is on that album. "louder voice"

[@oscarbjorck2946]

Slave to nothing is by far your best album honestly, these past 2 albums really is not my jam so I look back at Slave to nothing a lot since it’s the album that got me into fit for a king. Creation/destruction is a really good one as well and I feel like that one never gets the time of day either

[@electrocrane]

is it only me or he actually looks like brother of jamie the bassist of BFMV haha

[@AyeJayAytch]

I like watching Ryan Kirby KZbin videos, so anything you post I'll watch. 🤘🏻 I agree slave to nothing is the worst ffak album. But the fact that it's still really good, even with the weird studio time, just shows the level of art y'all are at to still be able to put out a great album. 💜

[@arches_aviation8584]

So I know I'm late to the comments with this but I'm so sad about this album not being received well! I hope this doesn't discourage yall to put powerful, Christian messages in your songs! (As I really want to see more) Also, what is the meaning of Selfish Eyes? I still haven't figured it out. What do the lines even mean?

[@Electricity-e4k]

Slave to Nothing is my favorite album. It’s not as bad as you think :)

[@claytonrath8033]

Some of the best lyrics, riffs, and drum parts from your band are on STN. Like, night and day difference from your newer stuff. But that’s just my personal opinion 🤷‍♂️ I get that other records have done better

[@codythomssen9337]

I love slave to nothing so its surprising to me that its not popular

[@jakobfel2]

In my opinion, Slave to Nothing is y'all's best album. I hope you don't take this the wrong way but after Deathgrip, I started to feel like the albums started to become a bit formulaic/boring. Some great tracks on them, don't get me wrong, but they didn't intrigue me the way that Slave to Nothing (and Descendants, my second favorite FFAK album) did. As a guy who came into the metalcore genre from progressive and power metal, having something far more melodic and even progressive really appealed to me. I understand that it's less popular but I just feel like StN definitely had the most unique, fresh sound you guys have had overall. I get it, though: you found your niche with metalcore that leans very strongly into deathcore territory and if that's what the fans like the most, then that's what they want. I just wish that more people saw how great StN actually is!

[@PK-ep8nj]

100%

[@MaddoggTrading]

Where you been man? Upload us something new :)

[@keenman0403]

What are the actual lyrics at 1:07 of “Hooked”? It does not sound like Tuck is singing “and you admit to me that you’re the one to blame”

[@ryankirbz]

"and you admit defeat 'cause your the one to blame", and it is tuck singing it!

[@keenman0403]

@@ryankirbz FINALLY, every website has been wrong, and I know Tuck sang it lol it’s just that it didn’t sound like those were the words he sang

[@bloodbear95]

Last time i saw you guys in the UK i kinda felt like it was all Dark Skies, wish there was a few oldies in there as well, especially bitter end/dead memory/ancient waters, is the older stuff really that lacking in popularity outside the US?

[@ryankirbz]

Honestly, anything pre-deathgrip usually doesnt go over super well at shows

[@Derek71776]

@@ryankirbz I think that's when you guys really blew up, so it kinda makes sense that most newer fans wouldn't know or appreciate your older stuff, being only exposed to your new material. That said, I've also heard the opinion that your older albums were a bit on the nose when it came to religion, which for some reason leaves a bad taste in people's mouth. Either way, love the music y'all put out, been listening since C/D, and even if I am not so much a fan of the last album, I still listen to y'all often. First metalcore band.

[@bloodbear95]

@@ryankirbz :( i'll run around the venue and force the crowd to mosh for a sniff of creation/destruction or descendants

[@gars387]

But Ryan, don't you think that playing Slave to nothing on live shows could, on the other side, increase the album sells? Even if you place only one song in every show... It may encrease the popularity of Slave to Nothing. I'm almost sure... Live shows are amazing opportunities for let an old album or an old song reborn 😊 or not? God bless u, Thank u

[@jordaneubanks1734]

Slave to Nothing=Best album, shame you guys don't play it.

[@HeartcoreChristian]

I have mixed feelings about the record. Honestly I didn't really liked it when it came out. It didn't have the punch of the albums before. I figured since I'm a bit into music production that it was the production itself I didn't like. It sounds like there was to much compression on the master channel. Also I couldn't really hear much of the lower bass frequencies. However there were great tracks on the record like Slave To Nothing :).

[@SmellsFischy]

Hey my nickname’s fisch

[@yourfavoritetrex]

Hi kirby