"Second Heartbeat" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, and is the seventh track on their second studio album, Waking the Fallen. The song is one of the most popular from the album, and is praised by fans and critics alike.
Background
An early version of "Second Heartbeat" was recorded in 2002, and appeared on the compilation "Hopelessly Devoted To You Vol. 4". This early version was shorter and faster. The band showed this version of the song to producer Mudrock to convince him to produce their second album, which he would end up doing. It was later included on the 2014 Waking the Fallen: Resurrected reissue. In the band's early career, it was a live staple.
Critical reception
"Second Heartbeat" is widely regarded as one of the band's best songs. In 2020, Louder Sound and Kerrang ranked the song at number two and number ten, respectively, on their lists of the 20 greatest Avenged Sevenfold songs. Return of Rock also ranked it as the best song from its parent album.
↑"Waking the Fallen Songs Ranked". Return of Rock. October 4, 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2022. "I would give this song a ten any day if it had not been made much better the first time. This second version is a slower, (though still fast) worse version of the Fold's best song found on a promotional CD for Hopeless Records I think is called Hoplessly Devoted to You, Volume 4."
↑Waking the Fallen: Resurrected liner notes. Hopeless Records. 2014. p.9.