512 (song)
| "512" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Lamb of God | ||||
| from the album VII: Sturm und Drang | ||||
| Released | June 8, 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2015 | |||
| Genre | Groove metal | |||
| Length | 4:44 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | Josh Wilbur | |||
| Lamb of God singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"512" is the second single from the heavy metal band Lamb of God, from their eighth album VII: Sturm und Drang. It was released on June 8, 2015.[1] The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.[2]
Background
Blythe wrote the lyrics for the song, in Pankrác Prison cell number 512, while in custody during his manslaughter case. The song is was about contemplating how the experience was changing him. According to Blythe, most of his time was spent in a basement dungeon. He said the guards put him there so they could monitor him for depression. "They stick you in the worst, dimmest, darkest place in the prison," he says. "I couldn't even see the sun to tell what part of the day it was. It was just steadily lessening levels of gloom."[3][4]
Music video
The video follows a group of teens drinking under a bridge, who find the dead body of a young girl washed up on a riverbank. As the girl is mourned, the rest of the video follows the girls killer as her spirit appears throughout the rest of the video.[5][6]
The music video was produced by Jorge Torres-Torres.[7]
Reception
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Gene Simmons of KISS praised the songs backing track however he was critical of the song’s vocals.[8]
The song garnered the band their 5th Grammy Award nomination for Best Metal Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. However it lost to lost to "Cirice" by Ghost.[9] It was also nominated for Best Metal Song of the year at the 2015 Loudwire Music Awards.[10]
Loudwire dubbed "512" the 6th best metal song of 2015,[11] and in 2020 Kerrang! named it the bands 6th best song.[12]
Live performances
Lamb of God performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on August 27, 2015.[13]
Charts
| Chart (2015) | Peak
position |
|---|---|
| US Hard Rock Didgital Song Sales (Billboard)[14] | 21 |
References
- ↑ "Alternative Press Lamb of God Unleash New Song 512".
- ↑ Release, Press (2015-12-08). "LAMB OF GOD Scores Fifth Grammy Award Nomination in Best Metal Performance Category for "512"". Mayhem Music Magazine. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ Grow, Kory (2015-06-08). "Lamb of God on How Prison Inspired Raging New Song '512'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ Blabbermouth (2015-06-08). "LAMB OF GOD: New Song '512' Available For Streaming". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ "Lamb of God Unleash "512" Video". Loudwire. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ Reed, Ryan (2015-06-12). "Watch Lamb of God's Evil, Murder-Filled '512' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ Blabbermouth (2015-06-12). "Video Premiere: LAMB OF GOD's '512'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ "KISS' Gene Simmons Critiques Lamb of God's '512'". Loudwire. 2015-08-23. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ "2016 Rock and Metal Grammy Winners". Loudwire. 2016-02-16. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
- ↑ Staff, Loudwire StaffLoudwire (2015-12-01). "5th Annual Loudwire Music Awards: Complete Winners List". Loudwire. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ Staff, Loudwire StaffLoudwire (2015-12-07). "20 Best Metal Songs of 2015". Loudwire. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ "The 20 greatest Lamb Of God songs – ranked". Kerrang!. 2020-12-14. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ Payne, Chris (2015-08-28). "Lamb of God Opens the Pit, Rocks '512' on 'Kimmel'". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
- ↑ "Lamb of God Billboard Chart History (Hard Rock Didgital Song Sales)".