Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 8, 2026

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.

Last revised
Jul 8, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
634 w
Citations
15
Source
Wikipedia ↗
"Shepherd of Fire"
Single by Avenged Sevenfold
from the album Hail to the King
ReleasedNovember 7, 2013
Genre
Length5:25
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriters
ProducerMike Elizondo
Avenged Sevenfold singles chronology
"St. James"
(2013) 		"Shepherd of Fire"
(2013) 		"The Stage"
(2016)
Music video
"Shepherd of Fire" on YouTube

"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" 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

Session musicians4

  • Brent Arrowood – sound effects
  • David Campbell – orchestral arrangement and 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
  • 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

Certifications

Certifications for "Shepherd of Fire"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)13 Gold 15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)14 Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)15 Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

References

  1. "Avenged Sevenfold – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  2. "AVENGED SEVENFOLD: Trailer For 'Hail To The King' Animated Series". BlabberMouth.
  3. "EA SPORTS UFC SOUNDTRACK". EA Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  4. "Hail to the King - Avenged Sevenfold – Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  5. "Avenged Sevenfold Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  6. "CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock" (select "Top 20 Modern Rock" into the search box, then select "201414"). hitparada.ifpicr.cz. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  7. "Avenged Sevenfold: Shepherd Of Fire" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  8. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart on 7/9/2013 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  9. "Avenged Sevenfold Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  10. "Avenged Sevengold Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  11. "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 31, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  12. "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  13. "New Zealand single certifications – Avenged Sevenfold – Shepherd of Fire". Radioscope. Retrieved June 12, 2026. Type Shepherd of Fire in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  14. "British single certifications – Avenged Sevenfold – Shepherd of Fire". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 10, 2026. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Shepherd of Fire Avenged Sevenfold in the "Search:" field.
  15. "American single certifications – Avenged Sevenfold – Shepherd of Fire". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 4, 2021.