Shepherd of Fire

"Shepherd of Fire" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. Released on November 7, 2013, it is the second single from the sixth studio album Hail to the King. The single was a No. 1 single on the US Mainstream Rock charts, their third single to do so.^[1]

"Shepherd of Fire"
Single by Avenged Sevenfold
from the album Hail to the King
Released	November 7, 2013
Genre	Heavy metal
Length	5:25
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	M. Shadows Synyster Gates Zacky Vengeance Johnny Christ
Producer(s)	Mike Elizondo
Avenged Sevenfold singles chronology
"St. James" (2013) "Shepherd of Fire" (2013) "The Stage" (2016)

"Shepherd of Fire" is the theme song of the Call of Duty: Black Ops II Zombies map "Origins", included in the final downloadable content compilation Apocalypse.^[2] It is also featured in the mixed martial arts game EA Sports UFC.^[3]

Personnel

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

Session musicians^[4]

• Brent Arrowood – sound effects
• David Campbell – orchestral arrangement & conductor
• Suzie Katayama - cello
• Ed Meares - upright bass
• John Fumo, Rick Baptist – trumpet
• Alan Kaplan – trombone
• Steven Holtman, Andrew Martin, Jaime Ochoa - bass trombone
• Douglas Tornquist – tuba
• Joe Meyer, John Reynolds – horn

Production

• Mike Elizondo – production, sound effects
• 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

Weekly charts Chart (2013–14) Peak position Canada Rock (Billboard)[5] 31 Czech Republic Rock (IFPI)[6] 8 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[7] 49 UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[8] 12 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[9] 28 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[10] 9 Year-end charts Chart (2014) Position US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[11] 62 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[12] 29

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[13]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.