"Times Like These" is a song by American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. It was released on July 8, 2022, as a single from their ninth studio album AfterLife. It reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
Contents
Background and release
The song was released for streaming on July 8, 2022. It was the fourth track from the album, following "AfterLife", "IOU", and "Welcome to the Circus". On August 19, 2022, the official music video was released. The song was performed live for the first time when the band kicked off their national tour in Ridgefield, Washington.
Composition and lyrics
The song is a melodic rock ballad featuring clean vocals from Ivan Moody and a blues-influenced instrumental section. Compared to the band's previous three songs, it has a slower pace and gentler instrumentation, with electric guitar patterns and acoustic guitar strumming. The track begins quietly and builds with a guitar solo. Andy James contributes a guitar solo beginning around 2:03.
It also includes synthetic beats that introduce pop elements, while the guitars have been described as progressive.
The lyrics have been described as melancholic, while Metal.de discussed loneliness and division within society in connection with the song. Loudwire noted that they seemed to fit the album's overall "existential mood".
Chart performance
The song reached No. 9 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on August 27, 2022. It then reached No. 1 on the chart dated October 1, 2022, becoming their thirteenth overall No. 1 and ninth consecutive No. 1 on the chart. The song also reached No. 1 on rock radio, where it remained for three weeks.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Apple Music.
Five Finger Death Punch
Ivan Moody – lead vocals, songwriter, producer
Zoltan Bathory – guitar, songwriter, producer
Charlie Engen – drums, songwriter, producer
Chris Kael – bass guitar, songwriter, producer
Andy James – guitar, songwriter, producer
Additional credit
Kevin Churko – songwriter, producer, mixing engineer, engineer