Afterlife (Avenged Sevenfold song)

Last updated

"Afterlife"
Avenged sevenfold afterlife.png
Single by Avenged Sevenfold
from the album Avenged Sevenfold
ReleasedJanuary 29, 2008
Recorded2007
Studio
Genre
Length
  • 5:55 (album version)
  • 4:01 (radio edit)
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s) The Rev [3]
Producer(s) Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold singles chronology
"Almost Easy"
(2007)		"Afterlife"
(2008)		"Dear God"
(2008)

"Afterlife" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The song is released as the third single from their self-titled album. The song itself features a string orchestra and was written by the band's drummer, The Rev. [3] The single and music video were released in early 2008. The song is one of the band's most performed live, and is a fan favorite. The song was included in the second Track Pack DLC released for Rock Band. [5]

Contents

Music video

The music video, which released on March 12, 2008, consists of the band performing on a small stage. There are also clips of M. Shadows running shirtless, Zacky Vengeance dancing with a woman, Synyster Gates holding a skull in a sea of lit candles, The Rev lying down with a Spider on his face, and Johnny Christ holding a flock of doves which he sends flying off all at once at the end of the video. The music video was directed by Wayne Isham, who has shot videos for bands like Bon Jovi, Judas Priest and Mötley Crüe.

In the album version, there is a string section in the intro and later in the song, both of which are cut out of the video, along with the bridge of the song, which features The Rev's vocals.

Lyrical meaning

According to Zacky Vengeance, the song is about a man who dies early and finds himself in heaven. Upon entering, he realizes that he has too many things to do and fix on Earth. [6]

Commercial performance

The song stayed on the UK Rock and Metal chart throughout most of 2008, and would peak at number 3. [7] Although overall the song didn't do as well on charts as "Almost Easy" (nor is it certified by the RIAA), [6] it has beaten all others from the album in terms of digital streams.

Other appearances

The song is available as downloadable content for Rock Band and Guitar Hero 5 , [8] and is featured in the video game NHL 09 . It was released for Rocksmith on October 30, 2012. [9] The song is also available on the game Rock Band Track Pack: Volume 2 . [10]

An alternate version of the song is included on the compilation album Diamonds in the Rough , released on September 16, 2008. [11] [12] The alternate version has a prominent string section through the whole duration of the song, as well as a different bridge in comparison with the original song. A live performance of the song was featured on the live album Live in the LBC. [13]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeRank
Kerrang! [3] The 20 greatest Avenged Sevenfold songs – ranked9
Louder Sound [14] The 20 best Avenged Sevenfold songs ever12
Classic Rock History [15] Top 10 Avenged Sevenfold Songs4
Return of Rock [16] Avenged Sevenfold Songs Ranked1
Return of Rock [17] Avenged Sevenfold Self Titled Album Songs Ranked1

Track listing

All songs credited to Avenged Sevenfold. Actual songwriters listed below. [18]

Single [19]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Afterlife" James Sullivan 5:53
2."Critical Acclaim (Live in Hollywood)"
5:22
Digital Download EP [20]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Afterlife" James Sullivan 5:53
2."Critical Acclaim (Live in Hollywood)"
5:22
3."Beast and the Harlot (Live in Hollywood)"
  • Sanders
  • Haner
5:54
Promo Single
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Afterlife (Radio Edit)"Sullivan4:02

Charts

Chart (2008)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart [21] 197
UK Rock Chart [7] 3
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks [22] 11
US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks [23] 20

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [24] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avenged Sevenfold</span> American heavy metal band

Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1999. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist M. Shadows, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, bassist Johnny Christ, and drummer Brooks Wackerman.

<i>City of Evil</i> 2005 studio album by Avenged Sevenfold

City of Evil is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on June 6, 2005, through Warner Bros. and Hopeless Records. Co-produced by Andrew Murdock, City of Evil contains a more traditional heavy metal and hard rock sound than Avenged Sevenfold's previous two albums, which showcased a predominantly metalcore sound. The album title is derived from a lyric in the song, "Beast and the Harlot". The album is notable for the absence of fry vocals. M. Shadows worked for months before the album's release with vocal coach Ron Anderson, whose clients have included Axl Rose and Chris Cornell, to achieve a sound that had "grit while still having the tone". In order to increase stamina and strength on the pedals, The Rev would sit for hours practicing until he could get up to 210 beats per minute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. Shadows</span> American heavy metal singer

Matthew Charles Sanders, known by his stage name M. Shadows, is an American singer and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist and a founding member of heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. In 2017, Shadows was voted third in the list of Top 25 Greatest Modern Frontmen by Ultimate Guitar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avenged Sevenfold discography</span>

American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold has released eight studio albums, one soundtrack album, one live album, two compilation albums, 24 singles, two video albums and 29 music videos. Formed in Huntington Beach, California in 1999, the band originally featured vocalist M. Shadows, guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Matt Wendt and drummer The Rev. Synyster Gates joined as lead guitarist in 2001, just after the group released their debut album Sounding the Seventh Trumpet on Good Life Recordings, which was later reissued on Hopeless Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bat Country</span> 2005 Avenged Sevenfold song

"Bat Country" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released in August 2005 as the second single from their third album, City of Evil. Avenged Sevenfold won 'Best New Artist Video' at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards for "Bat Country" and on October 1, 2009, the single was certified gold by the RIAA. For these reasons, "Bat Country" is often believed to be the band's most commercially successful song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beast and the Harlot</span> 2006 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Beast and the Harlot" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released as a single from their third studio album, City of Evil. It peaked at #19 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart, #44 on the UK Singles Chart, and #1 on the UK Rock Chart on March 12, 2006.

<i>Avenged Sevenfold</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on October 30, 2007, through Warner Bros. and Hopeless Records. Recorded in the middle of 2007, it is the band's first studio album to be solely self-produced. It is also their final studio album to feature The Rev performing on drums before his death in December 2009 during production of their follow-up album, Nightmare (2010). Originally slated for an October 16 release, it was delayed by two weeks in order to provide more time to complete bonus material and production for the record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Almost Easy</span> 2007 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Almost Easy" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It is the second song as well as lead single from their self-titled fourth album. The song is one of the band's most popular tracks, and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.

<i>Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough</i> 2008 live album by Avenged Sevenfold

Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough is the first live DVD and compilation album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on September 16, 2008 by Warner Bros. Records. The live DVD features the band's April 10, 2008 show at Long Beach Arena headlining the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour, while the CD contains previously unreleased B-sides that were recorded during the making of the band's self-titled 2007 album, plus covers, and other never-before-heard material.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scream (Avenged Sevenfold song)</span> 2009 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Scream" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It was released as the fifth and final single from their self-titled fourth studio album. The song reached number nine on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart and number 26 on the U.S. Alternative chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightmare (Avenged Sevenfold song)</span> 2010 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Nightmare" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It was released on May 18, 2010, as the lead single for their fifth studio album, Nightmare. The song was featured as one of four easter egg songs on the map Moon in Call of Duty: Black Ops' Zombies gamemode.

The Avenged Sevenfold Tour was a concert tour by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold between 2007 and 2009, promoting their album Avenged Sevenfold. It was the band's last tour with the drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan who died on December 28, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welcome to the Family (song)</span> 2010 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Welcome to the Family" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It was released on October 19, 2010, as the second single from their studio album Nightmare. It is the band's second single released without former drummer The Rev, who died on December 28, 2009. In Avenged Sevenfold's "making of" series on YouTube, In the Studio, lead singer M. Shadows and bassist Johnny Christ say that The Rev wrote most of the song and Shadows finished it when they started to record the album. The song is available as DLC in the video game Rock Band 3.

"A Little Piece of Heaven" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It is the ninth song from their self-titled fourth album. Though not released as a single, the song is one of the band's most popular. In December 2007, the song received an animated music video. The song was written by the band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and features him on dueling lead vocals with M. Shadows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hail to the King (song)</span> 2013 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Hail to the King" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold and the lead single from their sixth studio album of the same name, released on July 15, 2013. The song was premiered live on July 17, 2013, at the Ford Festival Park in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shepherd of Fire</span> 2013 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Shepherd of Fire" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. Released on November 7, 2013, it is the second single from the sixth studio album Hail to the King. The single was a No. 1 single on the US Mainstream Rock charts.

"This Means War" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold from the album Hail to the King.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Stage (song)</span> 2016 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"The Stage" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It was released on 13 October 2016, as the first single from their studio album of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody (Avenged Sevenfold song)</span> 2023 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Nobody" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It was released on March 14, 2023, as the lead single from their eighth studio album, Life Is but a Dream.... It is the band's first new song since the release of "Mad Hatter" in 2018. The song was debuted live on May 12, 2023, at a surprise show in Las Vegas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. James (song)</span> 2013 song by Avenged Sevenfold

"St. James" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The song is a tribute to the band's late drummer, The Rev, who died in December 2009. The song was released as a promotional single in 2013. It was featured on the deluxe edition of Hail to the King and the reissue of Diamonds in the Rough.

References

  1. ↑ Enis, Eli (June 7, 2021). "Avenged Sevenfold Albums Ranked: From Worst to Best". Revolver . Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  2. ↑ Enis, Eli (February 13, 2023). "10 greatest SELF-TITLED albums in heavy-music history". Revolver . Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Law, Sam. "The 20 greatest Avenged Sevenfold songs – ranked". Kerrang! . Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  4. ↑ Gibson, Caren (July 31, 2022). "Best Avenged Sevenfold Songs: 20 Essential Gothcore Tracks". Dig!. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  5. ↑ Cavalli, Earnest (November 6, 2008). "Rock Band Track Pack 2 Coming November 17". Wired.com. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Childers, Chad (October 30, 2022). "15 Years Ago: Avenged Sevenfold Start to Define Their Identity on Self-Titled Album". Loudwire. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts. February 16, 2008. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  8. ↑ "The Guitar Hero(R) Music Library Gets Hotter This Summer With an Assortment of New Additions for Guitar Hero(R) 5, Band Hero(R) and This Fall's Guitar Hero(R): Warriors of Rock". Activision. July 6, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Rocksmith – Avenged Sevenfold 3-Song Pack on Steam". Steam.com. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Rocksmith". June 12, 2021.
  11. ↑ Leahey, Andrew. "Live in the LBC and Diamonds in the Rough – Avenged Sevenfold". AllMusic.
  12. ↑ Kaz, Jim (September 25, 2008). "Avenged Sevenfold – Live In The LBC & Diamonds In The Rough". IGN . Archived from the original on September 28, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  13. ↑ ""LIVE IN THE LBC & DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH" COMING TO STREAMING SERVICES". AvengedSevenfold.com. January 17, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  14. ↑ Alderslade, Merlin (February 5, 2020). "The 20 best Avenged Sevenfold songs ever". Louder Sound. Metal Hammer. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  15. ↑ Kamau, Eric (September 16, 2021). "Top 10 Avenged Sevenfold Songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Avenged Sevenfold Songs Ranked". Return of Rock. January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Avenged Sevenfold Self Titled Album Songs Ranked". Return of Rock. October 4, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Credits / Avenged Sevenfold / Avenged Sevenfold". Tidal . Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Afterlife Avenged Sevenfold". AllMusic. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Afterlife EP". iTunes . January 25, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  21. ↑ "AVENGED SEVENFOLD". Official Charts. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Avenged Sevenfold Chart History: Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Avenged Sevenfold Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard . Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  24. ↑ "British single certifications – Avenged Sevenfold – Afterlife". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved September 1, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.