Afterlife

"Afterlife" is a single by the American hard rock band Avenged Sevenfold. The song is the fourth on their self-titled album and features a string orchestra. It was written by the band's drummer, The Rev. It was voted the best song of the new album on the band's homepage. The single and a live-action music video were released in early 2008. The music video is directed by Wayne Isham who has shot videos for bands like Bon Jovi, Judas Priest and Mötley Crüe. As a side note, in the album version, there are violin parts 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. "Afterlife" is available as downloadable content for the music video game Rock Band, along with "Critical Acclaim". This song is also featured on the soundtrack to EA Sports NHL 09. 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 has to escape from the afterlife. (This part was mentioned by Zacky Vengeance in the "Making of 'Afterlife'" video).

[Verse 1] Take the time just to listen When the voices screaming are much too loud Take a look in the distance Try and see it all Chances are that you might find That we share a common discomfort now I feel I'm walking a fine line Tell me only if it's real Still I'm on my way (On and on it goes) Vacant hope to take [Chorus] Hey, I can't live in here for another day Darkness has kept the light concealed Grim as ever Hold onto faith as I dig another grave Meanwhile the mice endure the wheel Real as ever And it seems I've been buried alive [Verse 2] I walked the fields through the fire Taking steps until I found solid ground Followed dreams reaching higher Couldn't survive the fall Much has changed since the last time And I feel a little less certain now You know I jumped at the first sign Tell me only if it's real Memories seem to fade (on and on it goes) Wash my view away [Chorus] Hey, I can't live in here for another day Darkness has kept the light concealed Grim as ever Hold onto faith as I dig another grave Meanwhile the mice endure the wheel Real as ever [Bridge] And I'm chained like a slave Trapped in the dark Slammed all the locks Death calls my name And it seems I've been buried alive [Guitar Solo] [Verse 3] Take you down now Burn it all out Throw you all around Get your fucking hands off me! What's it feel like? Took the wrong route Watch it fall apart Now you're knockin' at the wrong gate For you to pay the toll A price for you alone The only deal you'll find I'll gladly take your soul [Verse 4] While it seems sick Sober up quick Psycho lunatic Crushing you with hands of fate Shame to find out when it's too late But you're all the same Trapped inside inferno awaits Evil thoughts can hide I'll help release the mind I'll peel away the skin Release the dark within [Outro] This is now your life Strike you from the light This is now your life Die buried alive This is now your life (what’s it feel like?) Strike you from the light (let me take in your soul) This is now your life (what’s it feel like?) Die buried alive (let me take in your soul) This is now your life Die buried alive