Hail to the King (song)

"Hail to the King"
Single by Avenged Sevenfold
from the album Hail to the King
ReleasedJuly 15, 2013 (2013-07-15)
Recorded2012 (2012) – 2013 (2013)
GenreHeavy metal
Length5:05 (album version)
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mike Elizondo
Avenged Sevenfold singles chronology
"Carry On"
(2012) 		"Hail to the King"
(2013) 		"Shepherd of Fire"
(2013)
Music video
"Hail to the King" on YouTube

"Hail to the King" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold and the lead single from their sixth studio album of the same name, released on July 15, 2013.[1] The song was premiered live on July 17, 2013, at the Ford Festival Park in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The single was certified 3× Platinum in the United States on August 23, 2023, Gold in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2024, 4× Platinum in Canada on March 4, 2023, and Gold in Denmark on November 22, 2023, making it their most successful single in terms of sales internationally.[2][3][4][5]

Release

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The song was released on July 15, 2013, as the lead single for their sixth studio album, Hail to the King. On July 31, 2013, a limited edition CD version of the single was released, with a live version of "Nightmare" performed at The Palace of Auburn Hills attached.

Appearances in media

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The song appears in video games Rock Band 4, WWE 2K17, and Fortnite Festival, and as one of the official theme songs for WrestleMania 32. The song also appeared in the Netflix film Metal Lords. [6][7]

Music video

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The official music video premiered on the Metal Hammer website on August 16, 2013.[8] The video depicts the band playing together, as well as shots of the king referenced in the song. The video is in black and white and is the first to feature drummer Arin Ilejay, as well as being the first Avenged Sevenfold video to feature a drummer since the video for "So Far Away", which contained archive footage of late drummer The Rev.

Accolades

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Region Year Publication Accolade Rank
United States 2015 Loudwire 10 Best Rock Songs of 2013[9] 7

Loudwire Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 Hail to the King Best Rock Song Won

Revolver Golden Gods Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Hail to the King Song of the Year Nominated

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Hail to the King"5:04
2."Nightmare (Live at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 02/05/2011)"6:22

Personnel

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  • M. Shadows – lead vocals
  • Zacky Vengeance – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Synyster Gates – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Johnny Christ – bass guitar
  • Arin Ilejay – drums

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Hail to the King"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[4] 4× Platinum 320,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[5] Gold 45,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[3] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[2] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Bowar, Chad (July 15, 2013). "Avenged Sevenfold, DEftones and Ghost B.C. to Embark on Fall 2013 U.S. Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "American single certifications – Avenged Sevenfold – Hail to the King". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "British single certifications – Avenged Sevenfold – Hail to the King". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Avenged Sevenfold – Hail to the King". Music Canada. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Danish single certifications – Avenged Sevenfold – Hail to the King". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "Avenged Sevenfold | Music Artist, Actor, Composer". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  7. ^ Coulson, David (2024-05-15). "The next Fortnite Festival Jam Tracks finally add Avenged Sevenfold to the game". VideoGamer. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  8. ^ UK PREMIERE: Avenged Sevenfold Unleash ‘Hail To The King’ Video!
  9. ^ "10 Best Rock Songs of 2013". Loudwire.
  10. ^ "Avenged Sevenfold Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  11. ^ "Avenged Sevenfold Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  12. ^ "Avenged Sevenfold: {{{song}}}" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  13. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  14. ^ "Taiwan Top 10" (in Polish). Top 40 Charts. 2013-07-27. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  16. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  17. ^ "Avenged Sevenfold Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  18. ^ "Avenged Sevenfold Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  19. ^ "Avenged Sevenfold Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  20. ^ "Year-End Charts: Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (2013)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "Year-End Charts: Rock Airplay Songs (2013)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
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