Afterlife (Avenged Sevenfold song) explained

Afterlife
Cover:avenged sevenfold afterlife.png
Type:single
Artist:Avenged Sevenfold
Album:Avenged Sevenfold
Released:January 29, 2008
Recorded:2007
Studio:
Genre:
Length:
  • 5:55 (album version)
  • 4:01 (radio edit)
Label:Warner Bros.
Producer:Avenged Sevenfold
Prev Title:Almost Easy
Prev Year:2007
Next Title:Dear God
Next Year: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. 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]

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.

Commercial performance

The song stayed on the UK Rock and Metal chart throughout most of 2008, and would peak at number 3. 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,[7] and is featured in the video game NHL 09. It was released for Rocksmith on October 30, 2012.[8] The song is also available on the game Rock Band Track Pack: Volume 2.[9]

An alternate version of the song is included on the compilation album Diamonds in the Rough, released on September 16, 2008.[10] [11] 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.[12]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeRank
Kerrang!The 20 greatest Avenged Sevenfold songs – ranked9
Louder Sound[13] The 20 best Avenged Sevenfold songs ever12
Classic Rock History[14] Top 10 Avenged Sevenfold Songs4
Return of Rock[15] Avenged Sevenfold Songs Ranked1
Return of Rock[16] Avenged Sevenfold Self Titled Album Songs Ranked1

Track listing

All songs credited to Avenged Sevenfold. Actual songwriters listed below.[17]

Charts

Chart (2008)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[18] 197
UK Rock Chart[19] 3
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks[20] 11
US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks[21] 20

Personnel

Avenged Sevenfold
Session musicians
Production

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Enis. Eli. June 7, 2021. Avenged Sevenfold Albums Ranked: From Worst to Best. October 7, 2022. Revolver.
  2. Web site: Enis. Eli. February 13, 2023. 10 greatest SELF-TITLED albums in heavy-music history. August 30, 2023. Revolver.
  3. Web site: The 20 greatest Avenged Sevenfold songs – ranked . . Law . Sam . May 29, 2020 . October 14, 2022.
  4. Web site: Gibson. Caren. July 31, 2022. Best Avenged Sevenfold Songs: 20 Essential Gothcore Tracks. August 30, 2023. Dig!.
  5. Web site: Cavalli . Earnest . Rock Band Track Pack 2 Coming November 17 . Wired.com . May 22, 2023 . English . November 6, 2008.
  6. Web site: Childers . Chad . 15 Years Ago: Avenged Sevenfold Start to Define Their Identity on Self-Titled Album . Loudwire . October 30, 2022 . November 3, 2022.
  7. Web site: 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 . July 6, 2010 . July 6, 2010 . Activision.
  8. Web site: Rocksmith – Avenged Sevenfold 3-Song Pack on Steam . Steam.com . October 14, 2022.
  9. Web site: Rocksmith. June 12, 2021 .
  10. Web site: Live in the LBC and Diamonds in the Rough – Avenged Sevenfold. Leahey. Andrew. AllMusic.
  11. Web site: Avenged Sevenfold – Live In The LBC & Diamonds In The Rough. IGN. Jim. Kaz. September 25, 2008. June 23, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080928105231/http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/913/913528p1.html. September 28, 2008.
  12. Web site: "LIVE IN THE LBC & DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH" COMING TO STREAMING SERVICES. . AvengedSevenfold.com . October 7, 2022 . January 17, 2020.
  13. Web site: Alderslade . Merlin . The 20 best Avenged Sevenfold songs ever . Louder Sound . Metal Hammer . May 22, 2023 . February 5, 2020.
  14. Web site: Kamau . Eric . Top 10 Avenged Sevenfold Songs . Classic Rock History . September 16, 2021 . May 22, 2023 .
  15. Web site: Avenged Sevenfold Songs Ranked . Return of Rock . May 22, 2023 . English . January 22, 2021.
  16. Web site: Avenged Sevenfold Self Titled Album Songs Ranked . Return of Rock . May 22, 2023 . English . October 4, 2021.
  17. Web site: Credits / Avenged Sevenfold / Avenged Sevenfold. September 19, 2021. Tidal.
  18. Web site: AVENGED SEVENFOLD . Official Charts . October 12, 2022.
  19. Web site: Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40 . Official Charts . April 19, 2023 . February 16, 2008.
  20. Avenged Sevenfold Chart History: Mainstream Rock . Billboard . June 13, 2020.
  21. Avenged Sevenfold Chart History: Alternative Songs . . June 13, 2020.