Studio Album · No. 6
Hail to the King Songwriting Credits by Avenged Sevenfold
Produced by Mike Elizondo · Engineered by Adam Hawkins, Andy Wallace
Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented
Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Avenged Sevenfold carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Hail to the King credits every standard-edition track to the four constant members, Matthew Sanders, Zachary Baker, Brian Haner Jr., and Jonathan Seward, with new drummer Arin Ilejay not in the writing credits. It is the first album written entirely without The Rev, and with no covers on the standard edition the writing stays fully inside the band.
Hail to the King is the sixth studio album by Avenged Sevenfold, released in August 2013 and the first to feature drummer Arin Ilejay following The Rev's death. Produced by Mike Elizondo, it strips the band's sound back to a simpler, groove-driven classic metal style that openly nods to Metallica, Black Sabbath, and Guns N' Roses. The full lineup shares the writing on every standard track. The title song and 'Shepherd of Fire' became staples, and the album topped charts around the world while reaching number one on the Billboard 200. Certified Platinum, it confirmed the band's arena-headlining stature.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Shepherd of Fire
#3
|
M. ShadowsZacky VengeanceSynyster GatesJohnny Christ | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Mike Elizondo | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Hail to the King
#1
|
M. ShadowsZacky VengeanceSynyster GatesJohnny Christ | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Mike Elizondo | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Doing Time
|
M. ShadowsZacky VengeanceSynyster GatesJohnny Christ | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Mike Elizondo | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals)Synyster Gates (Co-Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
This Means War
|
M. ShadowsZacky VengeanceSynyster GatesJohnny Christ | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Mike Elizondo | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Requiem
|
M. ShadowsZacky VengeanceSynyster GatesJohnny Christ | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Mike Elizondo | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Crimson Day
|
M. ShadowsZacky VengeanceSynyster GatesJohnny Christ | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Mike Elizondo | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Heretic
|
M. ShadowsZacky VengeanceSynyster GatesJohnny Christ | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Mike Elizondo | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Coming Home
|
M. ShadowsZacky VengeanceSynyster GatesJohnny Christ | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Mike Elizondo | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Planets
|
M. ShadowsZacky VengeanceSynyster GatesJohnny Christ | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Mike Elizondo | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Acid Rain
|
M. ShadowsZacky VengeanceSynyster GatesJohnny Christ | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Mike Elizondo | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |