Rock music flows through my veins. My favorite song as a child was “Detroit Rock City,” and my first onesie had Jon Bon Jovi on the front.
But, recently when I find myself in the car, or walking to class, or lounging around I listen to Five Finger Death Punch, an American heavy metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Over the years Five Finger Death Punch videos have become “mustsee,” as described by critics. The band frequently delivers quality video clips with heavy messages. Their latest video is for “When the Seasons Change.” The clip centers on two police officers who put their lives on the line, attempt to stop a crime in progress and find themselves under fire.
Lead guitarist Zoltan Bathory explained that the inspiration for the video is dedicated to the police officers, first responders and soldiers around the world who put their lives on the line every day.
One Las Vegas officer in particular – Charleston Hartfield, who is also an Army veteran – caught Bathory’s attention. Hartfield lost his life at the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting when he used his body to shield others from a hail of bullets.
I first watched the video in the comfort of my childhood home prompted when my dad, an avid 5FDP fan, explained that their latest music video had just debuted. There’s an intense scene when the police officers are taking heavy fire from multiple enemies.
The female officer then gets shot in the chest and is knocked to the ground. Her concerned partner turns to her and sees her on the ground unmoving; he then tries to reach her while simultaneously firing at the assailants and ducking for cover.
Unfortunately, he is struck by a bullet in the neck. The chorus at the time seems really fitting: “I won’t let you down, When the seasons change, I won’t go down, I’ll fight through the pain, I’ll be there right by your side, I’ll never let them bring you down, When the seasons change.”
The scene then shows the female officer, who was miraculously saved by her bulletproof vest, sitting on the ground where her partner lost consciousness and was taken away by the paramedics.
In her hand she holds his shield covered in blood with the lyrics in the background: “There’s a hope in me that I will die for something, Was the fire in my eyes, All this pain inside, will it be this way forever, I can run but I can’t hide.” This portrayal is quite moving and makes you appreciate those who lay down their lives for mere strangers.
I have always loved the rock genre, regardless if it’s classic, modern or alternative, and 5FDP has raked its way to the top along with my favorites. Every album gifts me with more songs to fall in love with.
But every time I listen to “When the Seasons Change,” I hope that somewhere in the world a first responder, or soldier, feels my gratitude through the powerful melody.