Darkness Settles In
| "Darkness Settles In" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Five Finger Death Punch | ||||
| from the album F8 | ||||
| Released | May 4, 2021 | |||
| Length | 4:41 | |||
| Label | Better Noise | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
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| Five Finger Death Punch singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Darkness Settles In" on YouTube | ||||
"Darkness Settles In" is a song by American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch. Released on May 4, 2021, it is the fourth single from their eighth studio album, F8. It was included in the soundtrack for the film The Retaliators and became the band's 11th number-one song on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
Background
Singer Ivan Moody said the song was inspired by a vivid REM sleep dream in which his grandmother appeared, after which he wrote the lyrics immediately. He added that the first verse of the album version is the voicemail he left for producer Kevin Churko.[1] Moody said the song related to recovery, including what he described as "addict dreams".[2]
Composition and lyrics
Kerrang! called it a power ballad,[3] while Loudwire described it as "somber" and said it had "undeniable hooks".[4][5] Blabbermouth described it as a showcase for Moody's vocals,[6] and Metal Hammer compared it to Metallica's cover of "Turn the Page", saying it had "serious Springsteen vibes".[7]
Billboard wrote that the lyrics reflect Moody's struggles and convey insecurity, anger, and hopefulness. Guitarist Zoltan Bathory said the lyrics show abandonment and were vague enough to apply beyond alcoholism.[8]
Music video
In April 2021, the band filmed a music video for "Darkness Settles In".[2] It shows the band performing in a candlelit setting alongside scenes from the film The Retaliators, including appearances by Michael Lombardi and other cast members.[9] The video also served as a trailer for the film,[10] whose soundtrack includes the song.[11]
Chart performance
The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on July 3, 2021, becoming the band's 11th chart-topper there. It was also their seventh consecutive No. 1, tying them with Disturbed for the most consecutive No. 1s in the chart's history. At the time, this tied the band for the fourth-most leaders in the chart's history.[12] It also reached No. 1 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart in June 2021, becoming the band's 12th career chart-topper there.[13]
Personnel
Credits adapted from Apple Music.[14]
Five Finger Death Punch
- Ivan Moody – lead vocals, songwriter
- Zoltan Bathory – rhythm guitar, songwriter
- Charlie Engen – drums
- Chris Kael – bass guitar, background vocals
- Jason Hook – background vocals, lead guitar, songwriter
Additional credits
- Kevin Churko – songwriter, producer, mixing engineer
- Five Finger Death Punch – producer
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[21] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ↑ "Five Finger Death Punch Releases Music Video For 'Darkness Settles In'". Blabbermouth. May 6, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "Five Finger Death Punch Is Filming Music Video For 'Darkness Settles In'". Blabbermouth. April 20, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ Travers, Paul (February 27, 2020). "Album Review: Five Finger Death Punch – F8". Kerrang!. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ Loudwire Staff (February 27, 2020). "Review: Five Finger Death Punch's 'F8'". Loudwire. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ Childers, Chad (November 30, 2020). "The 70 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2020". Loudwire. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ Lawson, Do. "Five Finger Death Punch F8 Review". Blabbermouth. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ Hill, Stephen (February 28, 2020). "Five Finger Death Punch's F8 is the best record of their career". Metal Hammer. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ Reesman, Bryan (February 28, 2020). "Zoltan Bathory on the struggles that informed Five Finger Death Punch's new album". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ Childers, Chad (May 6, 2021). "Five Finger Death Punch Showcase 'Retaliators' Film in 'Darkness Settles In' Video". Loudwire. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ Kennelty, Greg (May 6, 2021). "Five Finger Death Punch Drops "Darkness Settles In" Video". Metal Injection. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ Turner, James (May 6, 2021). "Watch the intense video for Five Finger Death Punch's new single Darkness Settles In". Metal Hammer. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- 1 2 Rutherford, Kevin (June 29, 2021). "Five Finger Death Punch Ties Record With Seventh Straight Mainstream Rock Airplay No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Five Finger Death Punch Earns 12th Career No. 1 Single with 'Darkness Settles In'". Blabbermouth. June 29, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Darkness Settles In - Song by Five Finger Death Punch - Apple Music". Apple Music.
- ↑ "Five Finger Death Punch Chart History: Canada Rock". Billboard Canada. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Five Finger Death Punch: Darkness Settles In" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Five Finger Death Punch Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Five Finger Death Punch Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 19, 2026. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Mainstream Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- ↑ "American single certifications – Five Finger Death Punch – Darkness Settles In". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 22, 2026.