Album: City Of Evil (2005)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Avenged Sevenfold wrote this song about the American troops who were fighting the war in Iraq. The band had friends who fought in the war, and wanted to give their listeners an idea of what war is like. Even though they are not a political band, they wanted to present the view of someone going to battle as a troop.
  • M.I.A. stands for "Missing In Action," which accounts for soldiers who could have been killed or captured in combat.

Comments: 19

  • Nathaniel Kharkongor from IndiaNot many songs out there to be so lyrically pleasing yet daunting as this song. The vocals at the end seamlessly blends with the vibe the lyrics radiate. Hands down, criminally underrated....
  • Mike8404 from Minnesota"Even though they are not a political band"

    *Critical Acclaim has entered the chat*
  • The Chamber Of Commerce from AmericaThis song pairs really nicely with Critical Acclaim, tbch
  • Jeremy from Roscoe, IlOne of my favorite songs of all time! Great chorus and filled with a story! I support the troops and hope Avenged Sevenfold writes more songs like this!
  • Spencer from Denver-coloradoI LOVE THIS SONG- there's a lot to the song too like war in Iraq but in the song I think of my own life in the lyrics like " A murderer walks your streets tonight" it makes me wonder why is this song so F-ing amazing HUH! ANSWER THAT AMERICA!
  • Alan from The Meadow Of Rainbows, United KingdomThis song is so epic and powerful, its definetely a stand out track of City of Evil, but then every track on that album is aweeome
  • Luke from Ponca City, OkSuch a sad, bad ass song. "A murderer walks your streets tonight" such powerful lyrics. I can only imagine what assimilating back into society must be like after living in a war zone.

    To OZZY from Fresno; I find it a little contradictory that you claim your favorite bands are the Beatles and Pink Floyd, two of the most genre-bending bands out there, yet you don't like Self-titled because it changes A7X's sound too much? Wot? Then again you do put them on the same page as Coldplay and Snow Patrol so maybe you're just sort of dumb.
  • Robert from Cleveland, OhAmazing... having been there and came back and lost friends. The song illustrates an important point you can disagree with the war, but we always need your support
  • Thomas from New Orleans, LaWhat word am I looking for? How about Amazing! The riffs are wild and just awesome. This song will never get old.
  • Josh from Grasonville, MdThis is my favorite song of A7X. Soon, to be in the US Army!!!
  • Nick from St. Louis, MoThis is my favorite song, i completely support the war, love this song.
  • Kyle from Denver, CoOne of the best A7X Songs ever!!!! The vocals amazing, guitar riffs are un'Fing'believable anyone who is naive enough to criticize any soldier about this war should just go off themselves right now. A7X FOREVER!
  • Hannah from Hampshire, Englandi'm english and i don't agree with the Iraqi war either but I agree with what A7X are saying because we can't blame the soldiers for what the government has decided. "When the rich wage war it's the poor who die." Jean Paul Sartre
  • Betuel from Bat Country, Txbest Fkking song Ever
    i myself just joined the military
    and a7x is my favorite band and it feels good
    to know they got my back with this song AND
    critical acclaim
  • Jack from Buenos Aires, United StatesA7x is more than just metal
  • Ozzy from Fresno, CaAnyone else notice how AMAZING singers like M. Shadows are that are in metal bands? Listen to the end of this song and he goes SO HIGH.
    Anyways, Matt's not my favorite member, it's synyster.(and, even though im a gurl), I think a7x is one of the greatest modern bands out there, excluding Coldplay and Snow Patrol.
    I'm still mad though. Their new albumis so... mainstream. They said it was their best most "mature" work. However, I feel if thats what they sound like, i dont WANT them to be mature.
    In the end I love the album, I love the song, but their new stuff is kind of hard to take, especially if your favorite bands (like me)are Pink Floyd and The Beatles.
  • Aj from Gaines, MiThis and Unholy Confessions are some of my favorite songs by them. The war SUCKS and i agree with chad, bring em home safe and sound. "Staring at the carnage, praying that the sun will never rise, living another day in disguise...."
  • Chad from Calgary, CanadaAwesome song, I don't agree with the war, and I'm not american (I'm canadian) but I still support the american troops risking their lives in Iraq, takes a bravery that most don't have... bring em home safe and sound.
  • Dj from Coventry, Rigreat song and i agree with the band on why they wrote it
    -DJ,coventry,RI
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tommy James

Tommy JamesSongwriter Interviews

"Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," "Draggin' The Line"... the hits kept coming for Tommy James, and in a plot line fit for a movie, his record company was controlled by the mafia.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.