I Won't See You Tonight

Last updated
"I Won't See You Tonight"
Song by Avenged Sevenfold
from the album Waking the Fallen
ReleasedAugust 26, 2003
RecordedApril – June 2003 [1]
Studio
  • Third Stone, Hollywood, California
  • Mates Inc, Hollywood, California
Genre
Length
  • 8:59 (Part 1)
  • 4:45 (Part 2)
Label Hopeless
Songwriter(s) Avenged Sevenfold
Producer(s)
Waking the Fallen track listing
12 tracks
  1. "Waking the Fallen"
  2. "Unholy Confessions"
  3. "Chapter Four"
  4. "Remenissions"
  5. "Desecrate Through Reverence"
  6. "Eternal Rest"
  7. "Second Heartbeat"
  8. "Radiant Eclipse"
  9. "I Won't See You Tonight Part 1"
  10. "I Won't See You Tonight Part 2"
  11. "Clairvoyant Disease"
  12. "And All Things Will End

"I Won't See You Tonight" is a two-part song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The songs appeared on their second studio album, Waking the Fallen , as tracks 9 and 10 respectively. The song peaked at #2 on the overall US song sales chart in 2014.

Contents

Composition

The first portion, "I Won't See You Tonight Part 1" is a power ballad, [3] [4] while "I Won't See You Tonight Part 2" is much faster, and more in line with the metalcore sound the band played in their early days. [5] The Rev's drumming on (Part 2) was reportedly inspired by the work of drummer Paul Bostaph from Slayer. [6]

The song's lyrical matter was inspired by the band's former bassist Justin Sane. Around August 2001, Sane attempted suicide by drinking excessive amounts of cough syrup. [7] During Sane's hospitalization, he remained in poor condition and had to leave the band. [7] In an interview, lead singer M. Shadows said of Sane that "he perma-fried his brain and was in a mental institution for a long time, and when you have someone in your band who does that, it ruins everything that's going on all around you, and it makes you want to do something to prevent it from happening to other people." [7]

Critical reception

In 2021, Return of Rock ranked the song(s) at number 19 on its list of the 20 greatest Avenged Sevenfold songs. [8] It was also features on Revolver's list of the best non-hair metal power-ballads. [4] It was described on the latter list as "the most powerful (ballad) in (the band's) repertoire."

Charts

Chart (2014)Peak
position
US Hot Singles Sales (Billboard) [9] 2

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes. [10]

Related Research Articles

Metalcore is a fusion genre combining elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk, that originated in the late 1980s. Metalcore is noted for its use of breakdowns, which are slow, intense passages conducive to moshing, while other defining instrumentation includes heavy guitar riffs often utilizing percussive pedal tones and double bass drumming. Vocalists in the genre typically perform screaming, more popular bands often combine this with the use of standard singing, usually during the bridge or chorus of a song. However, the death growl is also a popular technique within the genre.

<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>Sounding the Seventh Trumpet</i> 2001 studio album by Avenged Sevenfold

Sounding the Seventh Trumpet is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on July 24, 2001, through Good Life Recordings. The album was reissued on March 19, 2002, through Hopeless Records, featuring a slightly different cover art. Although the album only sold 300 copies in its first week of release, it has sold 370,000 copies worldwide, with 310,000 sold in the United States, as of November 2010.

<i>Waking the Fallen</i> 2003 studio album by Avenged Sevenfold

Waking the Fallen is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on August 26, 2003, through Hopeless Records. It is the band's first full-length album with new lead guitarist Synyster Gates and bassist Johnny Christ.

<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">Synyster Gates</span> American guitarist

Brian Elwin Haner Jr., better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn, is an American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist of heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. He ranks No. 9 on Guitar World's best metal guitarists of all time. Gates was voted as Best Metal Guitarist in the World by Total Guitar in 2016 and once again in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rev</span> American musician (1981–2009)

James Owen Sullivan, also known by his stage name The Rev, was an American musician, best known as a founding member of the heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, where he played drums, piano and provided backing and co-lead vocals. He was also the lead vocalist/pianist in the avant-garde metal band Pinkly Smooth and drummer for the ska punk band Suburban Legends from 1998 to 1999.

<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 May 4, 2021, the single was certified platinum 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.

"Second Heartbeat" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, and is the seventh track on their second studio album, Waking the Fallen. The song is one of the most popular from the album, and is praised by fans and critics alike.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seize the Day (song)</span> 2005 Avenged Sevenfold song

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burn It Down (Avenged Sevenfold song)</span> 2005 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Burn It Down" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, the second track from their third studio album, City of Evil (2005). It was the first song to be written for the album. It was released as the lead single from the album on June 5, 2005, but was received poorly by fans. A live performance of the song was used for a music video. The video was directed by Nick Wickham. The song was featured on the compilation MTV's Headbangers Ball - The Revenge, as well as the soundtrack for Saw III.

<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 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afterlife (Avenged Sevenfold song)</span> 2008 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"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. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unholy Confessions</span> 2004 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Unholy Confessions" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released as the lead single from their second album, Waking the Fallen. It is the band's first official single after their 2001 debut EP release Warmness on the Soul, and was the first single by the band to receive mainstream exposure, being heavily rotated on MTV2's Headbangers Ball. The song is about a couple who find out they are both cheating on each other.

"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">Chapter Four (song)</span> 2003 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Chapter Four" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The song was released as a double A-side single with "Eternal Rest" from their second album, Waking the Fallen, where it also appears as track three.

References

  1. "Avenged Sevenfold website". 2003-06-24. Archived from the original on June 24, 2003. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  2. "Avenged Sevenfold — Waking the Fallen". sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2017-10-25.
  3. M, Jordan (August 30, 2014). "Review: Avenged Sevenfold - Waking the Fallen | Sputnikmusic". sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "16 GREAT NON-HAIR-METAL POWER BALLADS". Revolver Mag. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  5. "Waking the Fallen Songs Ranked". Return of Rock. October 4, 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  6. "KERRANG!'S 101 SECRETS BEHIND THE SONGS: AVENGED SEVENFOLD'S "I WON'T SEE YOU TONIGHT PART 2."". AvengedSevenfold.com. April 24, 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 "Thursday, Avenged Sevenfold, Poison The Well Take Action Against Suicide". mtv.com. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  8. "Avenged Sevenfold Songs Ranked". Return of Rock. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  9. "Hot Singles Sales: September 13, 2014". Billboard. September 13, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  10. Waking the Fallen: Resurrected liner notes. Hopeless Records. 2014. p. 9.