Nobody (Avenged Sevenfold song) explained

"Nobody" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It was released on March 14, 2023, as the lead single from their eighth studio album, Life Is But a Dream.... It is the band's first new song since the release of "Mad Hatter" in 2018.^[2] The song was debuted live on May 12, 2023, at a surprise show in Las Vegas.^{[3] [4]}

Promotion and release

The release of "Nobody" was preceded by a countdown video on YouTube set for its release at 8 a.m. PT on March 14, 2023. The countdown video was unlocked by fans after completing an online scavenger hunt created by the band in order to tease new material.^[5] The release of "Nobody" coincided with the announcement of Life Is But a Dream..., its corresponding album. "Nobody" was accompanied by a music video, which was uploaded to YouTube the same day as the single release, where it amassed over 500,000 views in the first 24 hours and rising No. 1 on trending videos on YouTube. The video was directed by Chris Hopewell, and is entirely in stop motion.^[6]

Band vocalist M. Shadows "trolled" media outlets by sharing the lyrics of the band's song "Girl I Know" from Diamonds in the Rough and saying they were from an early demo of "Nobody". Music news outlets first reported this as fact, before quickly realizing they were tricked.^[7] The actual lyrics of the song are inspired by the writings of the French philosopher Albert Camus.^[8]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal, except where noted.^[9]

Avenged Sevenfold

• M. Shadows – lead vocals
• Zacky Vengeance – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Synyster Gates – lead guitar, piano, backing vocals
• Johnny Christ – bass, backing vocals
• Brooks Wackerman – drums

Additional musicians

• Jason Freese – synthesizer
• San Bernardino Symphony – orchestra
• Noah Gladstone – orchestra conductor

Additional personnel

• Joe Barresi – production, engineering
• Andy Wallace – mixing
• Dan Malsch – mixing
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Adam Michalak – orchestral recording
• Jun Murakawa – additional recording
• Nick Fainbarg – additional recording
• Brian Rajartnam – recording assistant
• Bruce Jacoby – drum technician
• Wes Lang – cover art^[10]
• Ines Velasco – copier

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"

Position
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[11]	20

Notes and References

1. Web site: Scarlett . Liz . March 27, 2023 . M Shadows credits a "deep" exploration into psychedelic drugs as the reason for Avenged Sevenfold's "bold" new sound . April 25, 2023 . LouderSound.
2. Blistein . Jon . Avenged Sevenfold Tease First Album in Seven Years With Epic 'Nobody' . Rolling Stone . March 14, 2023 . March 15, 2023.
3. Web site: Enis . Eli . AVENGED SEVENFOLD'S FIRST SHOW IN 5 YEARS: SEE VIDEOS AND SETLIST . Revolver . May 16, 2023 . May 13, 2023.
4. Web site: Enis . Eli . AVENGED SEVENFOLD IN LAS VEGAS: SEE WILD PHOTOS OF FIRST SHOW IN 5 YEARS . Revolver . May 16, 2023 . May 13, 2022.
5. Web site: Carter . Emily . March 13, 2023 . Avenged Sevenfold fans have found a secret countdown video . March 14, 2023 . Kerrang!.
6. Web site: AVENGED SEVENFOLD Announces 'Life Is But a Dream...' Album, Shares 'Nobody' Music Video . Blabbermouth . March 14, 2023 . March 15, 2023.
7. Web site: DiVita . Joe . Demo Version of Avenged Sevenfold's 'Nobody' Has REALLY Different Lyrics . Loudwire . May 16, 2023 . March 21, 2023.
8. Web site: Schaffner . Lauryn . Avenged Sevenfold Fan Explains 'Nobody' Based on Albert Camus . Loudwire . May 16, 2023 . March 15, 2023.
9. Web site: Credits / Nobody / Avenged Sevenfold . Tidal . April 14, 2023.
10. Web site: March 14, 2023 . Avenged Sevenfold Announces 'Life Is But a Dream...' Album, Shares 'Nobody' Music Video . March 15, 2023 . Blabbermouth.net.
11. Web site: Year-End Charts: Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs (2023). Billboard. December 10, 2023.