Afterlife (Avenged Sevenfold song)

"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]

"Afterlife"
Single by Avenged Sevenfold
from the album Avenged Sevenfold
Released	January 29, 2008
Recorded	2007
Studio	Sunset Sound Recorders, Los Angeles Eldorado Recording Studios, Los Angeles Burbank & Capitol Studios, Los Angeles
Genre	Thrash metal^[1]^[2] symphonic metal^[3]^[4]
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)

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

Publication	Accolade	Rank
Kerrang!^[3]	The 20 greatest Avenged Sevenfold songs – ranked	9
Louder Sound^[14]	The 20 best Avenged Sevenfold songs ever	12
Classic Rock History^[15]	Top 10 Avenged Sevenfold Songs	4
Return of Rock^[16]	Avenged Sevenfold Songs Ranked	1
Return of Rock^[17]	Avenged Sevenfold Self Titled Album Songs Ranked	1

Track listing

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

Single^[19]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Afterlife"	James Sullivan	5:53
2.	"Critical Acclaim (Live in Hollywood)"	Matthew Sanders Sullivan Zachary Baker Brian Haner Jr. Jonathan Seward	5:22

Digital Download EP^[20]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Afterlife"	James Sullivan	5:53
2.	"Critical Acclaim (Live in Hollywood)"	Matthew Sanders Sullivan Zachary Baker Brian Haner Jr. Jonathan Seward	5:22
3.	"Beast and the Harlot (Live in Hollywood)"	Sanders Haner	5:54

Promo Single

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Afterlife (Radio Edit)"	Sullivan	4:02

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

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)^[24]	Silver	200,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

Avenged Sevenfold M. Shadows – lead vocals, Zacky Vengeance – rhythm guitar, backing vocals The Rev – drums, co-lead vocals, piano, backing vocals Synyster Gates – lead guitar, backing vocals Johnny Christ – bass guitar, backing vocals Session musicians Upright bass by Miles Mosley Cello by Cameron Stone Violins by Caroline Campbell and Neel Hammond Viola by Andrew Duckles

Production Produced by Avenged Sevenfold Engineered by Fred Archambault and Dave Schiffman, assisted by Clifton Allen, Chris Steffen, Robert DeLong, Aaron Walk, Mike Scielzi, and Josh Wilbur Mixed by Andy Wallace Mastered by Brian Gardner Drum tech by Mike Fasano Guitar tech by Walter Rice 'Fan Producers for a Day' (MVI) by Daniel McLaughlin and Christopher Guinn

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. 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. 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. "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). . 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.