St. James (song)

"St. James"
Song by Avenged Sevenfold
from the album Hail to the King & Diamonds in the Rough
ReleasedAugust 27, 2013[1]
Recorded2012 – 2013 (2012 – 2013)
Studio
  • Can-Am
  • (Los Angeles, California)
  • Capitol
  • (Hollywood, California)
GenreHeavy metal
Length5:01
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mike Elizondo
Avenged Sevenfold singles chronology
"Hail to the King"
(2013)
"St. James"
(2013)
"Shepherd of Fire"
(2013)

"St. James" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The song is a tribute to the band's late drummer, The Rev, who died in December 2009. The song was released as a promotional single in 2013. It was featured on the deluxe edition of Hail to the King and the reissue of Diamonds in the Rough.

Background

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"St. James" was written about Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, who was the group's drummer from their inception until his untimely death on December 28, 2009.[2]

"St. James" was first included on the deluxe edition of Hail to the King in 2013.[3] The song was obtainable through a download code included with the album, and also featured the message, "'St. James' is the light to 'So Far Away’s' dark. 'St. James' is a celebration of Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan's heart and color and should be listened to with your favorite beverage!”[4]

On February 7, 2020, Avenged Sevenfold re-released their b-sides album "Diamonds in the Rough.[5] "St. James," along with 4 other tracks, were added to the release,[6] which would mark the first time the song had been available on general streaming.[7]

Personnel

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Avenged Sevenfold

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

Production

  • Mike Elizondo – production
  • Allen Wolfe – A&R
  • Joanna Terrasi – A&R
  • Brent Arrowood – assistant engineer
  • Chris Sporleder – assistant engineer
  • D.A. Frizell – illustrations, treatment
  • Adam Hawkins – engineer
  • Paul Suarez – pro-tools
  • Cam Rackman – paintings, portraits
  • Andy Wallace – mixer
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering engineer

Charts

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Chart (2013) Peak
position
UK Rock and Metal[8] 36
US Rock Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[9] 42
US Hard Rock Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[10] 2

References

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  1. ^ "Avenged Sevenfold – St. James". Discogs. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "MTV Newsroom". Newsroom.mtv.com. December 29, 2009. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  3. ^ Price, Jeremy (March 27, 2023). "10 most criminally underrated Avenged Sevenfold songs". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  4. ^ "REVIEW: AVENGED SEVENFOLD – HAIL TO THE KING (DELUXE EDITION)". New Transcendence. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Munro, Scott (January 17, 2020). "Avenged Sevenfold to reissue 2008's Live In The LBC and Diamonds In The Rough". Louder Sound. Metal Hammer. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  6. ^ "Album Review: Avenged Sevenfold - 'Diamonds In The Rough'". The Mic Magazine. March 20, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  7. ^ Lee, William (February 7, 2020). "Avenged Sevenfold Go Digital With 'Diamonds In The Rough'". Anti Music. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  8. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  9. ^ "Rock Digital Song Sales". Billboard. September 13, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  10. ^ "Hard Rock Digital Song Sales". Billboard. September 13, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2016.