Afterlife (Avenged Sevenfold Song)

"Afterlife" is a song by 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.

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 on Earth and to go back and make it right, he must escape from the afterlife.

Other appearances

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

An alternate version of the song is included in the compilation album ''Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough'', released on September 16, 2008. 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.

Track listing

;Promo single
# "Afterlife" (radio edit) – 4:02

;Single
# "Afterlife" (album version) – 5:54
# "Critical Acclaim" (live in Hollywood) – 5:22

Chart positions

Personnel

;Avenged Sevenfold
* M. Shadows – lead vocals, backing vocals
*Zacky Vengeance – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
* The Rev - drums, percussion, piano, backing vocals, co-lead 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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Afterlife (Avenged Sevenfold Song)
Avenged Sevenfold songs
2007 songs
2008 singles
Music videos directed by Wayne Isham
Songs containing the I–V-vi-IV progression
Thrash metal songs
Symphonic metal songs