Bat Country is Avenged Sevenfold's fourth song off of their 2005 album, City of Evil. The lyrics and inspiration of the
song has been attributed to Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas". The opening of the song also contains a quote from Doctor Samuel Johnson: "He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man." The entire song is based off of Thompson's drug trips, and it has many references to it lyrically and in the music video. Bat Country has also been featured in many games, shows, and movies (NHL '06, Madden '06, Guitar Hero, Saints Row 2, Rock Band, Fox's show "Bones", etc.). The song was certified Gold on October 1, 2009.
Avenged Sevenfold put out a music video for this song depicting the band in a drug trip scenario. The Rev and M. Shadows ride in a red convertible, similar to that of what Johnny Depp drove in the "Fear and Loathing" movie, throughout a desert landscape. The band members are also shown playing their instruments in a motel room with multiple women. They are shown gambling with women in a casino, as well. As the video progresses, more and more oddities tend to appear (the bugging out of eyes, distortion of appearance, odd behavior, octopus in a bath tub, ect.).
Lyrics
Caught here in a fiery blaze, won't lose my will to stay
I tried to drive on through the night
The heat stroke ridden weather, the barren empty sights
No oasis here to see, the sand is singing deathless words to me
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone)
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone)
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention
As I adjust to my new sights
The rarely tired lights will take me to new heights
My hand is on the trigger and I'm ready to ignite
Tomorrow might not make it, but everything's all right
Mental fiction follows me, show me what it's like to be set free
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone)
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone)
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention
So sorry you're not here I've been sane too long my vision's so unclear
Now take a trip with me
But don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem
Caught here in a fiery blaze, won't lose my will to stay
These eyes won't see the same, after I flip today
Sometimes I don't know why we'd rather live than die
We look up towards the sky for answers to our lives
We may get some solutions but most just pass us by
Don't want your absolution 'cause I can't make it right
I'll make a beast out of myself
Gets rid of all the pain of being a man
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone)
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone)
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention
So sorry you're not here I've been sane too long my vision's so unclea
rNow take a trip with me
But don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem
I've known it from the start all
These good ideas will tear your brains apart
Scared but you can follow me I'm too weird to live but much too rare to die
Meaning
Video
Avenged Sevenfold - Bat Country (Official Music Video)