When Legends Rise (song)
{{short description|2018 song by Godsmack}}
{{Infobox song
| name = When Legends Rise
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Godsmack
| album = When Legends Rise
| released = {{Start date|2018|4|27}}
| recorded = 2017–2018
| studio =
| genre = Alternative metal
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=52}}
| label = BMG
| writer = {{hlist|Sully Erna|John Feldmann}}
| producer = {{hlist|Sully Erna|Erik Ron}}
| prev_title = Bulletproof
| prev_year = 2018
| next_title = Under Your Scars
| next_year = 2018
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|J9jKQulDRCQ|"When Legends Rise"}}}}
}}
"When Legends Rise" is a song by American rock band Godsmack. It was the second single off of their seventh studio album When Legends Rise.
Background and inspiration
In an interview with Billboard, Sully Erna told the magazine that "When Legends Rise" came from a sense of rebirth and reinvention on both personal and musical levels.{{cite web |last1=Graff |first1=Gary |title=Godsmack Returns With 'When Legends Rise' Title Track: Premiere |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8310031/godsmack-when-legends-rise-premiere |website=Billboard |publisher=Billboard |accessdate=28 October 2020 |date=13 April 2018}} In another interview, Erna provided further insight into what inspired him to write the song:
{{Quote|text=[I]t's a reflection of what I've been through in the last couple of years, where I've made a life decision to eliminate a lot of negative people and negative things in my life. I'm in a good place now, and I have some great things surrounding me. I have a great band. I have a beautiful daughter. I have a good career. My health is good the band's health is good.{{cite web |last1=Lewry |first1=Fraser |title=Sully Erna's track-by-track guide to Godsmack's When Legends Rise |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/sully-ernas-track-by-track-guide-to-godsmacks-when-legends-rise |website=Classic Rock Magazine |accessdate=28 October 2020 |language=en |date=27 April 2018}}}}
Erna went on to clarify that the "Legends" part of the title was not referring to Godsmack, but rather, it was "metaphorical" and "hopefully inspirational", concluding with "I'm certainly not saying that we're the legends!"
Track listing
;Digital single
{{Tracklist
| title1 = When Legends Rise
| writer1 = Lyrics: Sully Erna, John Feldmann; Music: Sully Erna, Shannon Larkin, Robbie Merrill, Tony Rombola
| length1 = 2:52
}}
Music video
The music video for "When Legends Rise" was released on Jan 11, 2019.{{cite web |title=GODSMACK Releases Music Video For 'When Legends Rise' Title Track |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/godsmack-releases-music-video-for-when-legends-rise-title-track/ |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |accessdate=28 October 2020 |date=11 January 2019}} The clip, directed by Sully Erna in conjunction with Paris Visone, alternates between footage of the band performing live and highlights of pivotal moments in recent football history, concluding with a shot of the New England Patriots Super Bowl trophy. In a statement released by the band, it was revealed the clip was the result of Erna collaborating directly with the NFL for three months.{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Munro |title=Godsmack celebrate the NFL playoffs in When Legends Rise video |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/godsmack-celebrate-the-nfl-playoffs-in-when-legends-rise-video |website=Classic Rock Magazine |accessdate=28 October 2020 |language=en |date=14 Jan 2019}}
Appearances
The song is featured in the musical video game Rock Band 4 as a downloadable content.{{cite web |title='When Legends Rise' - Godsmack |url=https://store.playstation.com/en-tr/product/EP8802-CUSA02901_00-RBWHENLEGENDSRIS |website=store.playstation.com |accessdate=28 October 2020}} Also, it was used as a preview song to promote UFC 226.{{cite web |title=UFC 226 Miocic vs Cormier The Superfight Live on Main Event July 8 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3OmyGEIl5k |accessdate=28 October 2020 |language=en-us}} Moreover, WWE utilized the song as the official theme song for its 2018, 2019 and 2020 pay-per-view events WWE Greatest Royal Rumble, Crown Jewel and Super ShowDown that were held in Saudi Arabia.{{cite web |last1=Middleton |first1=Marc |title=WWE NXT Referee Hypes Current Era, WWE Looks At 27 Dolph Ziggler Vs. Kofi Kingston Matches, SSD |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/06/wwe-nxt-referee-hypes-current-era-654917/ |website=Wrestling Inc. |accessdate=28 October 2020 |language=en |date=6 June 2019}}
Live performance
Godsmack debuted "When Legends Rise" on April 27, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. Since then, the song is regularly performed at the band's concerts.{{cite web |title=Godsmack Setlist at Metropolitan Park, Jacksonville, FL, USA |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/godsmack/2018/metropolitan-park-jacksonville-fl-5bec1344.html |accessdate=28 October 2020 |language=en-us}}
Reception
=Critical=
Reviews for "When Legends Rise" were mostly positive. Blabbermouth's reviewer Jay Gorania praised Shannon Larkin's performance on the track but noted that the chorus was "perfunctory at best."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/when-legends-rise/|title=CD Reviews - When Legends Rise Godsmack - Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=19 July 2019 |last=Gorania|first=Jay|magazine=Blabbermouth.net}} Chad Childers of Loudwire described the song as "pulsing with vitality."{{cite web |last1=Childers |first1=Chad |title=Godsmack 'When Legends Rise' - Album Review |url=https://loudwire.com/godsmack-when-legends-rise-album-review/ |website=Loudwire |accessdate=28 October 2020 |language=en |date=27 April 2018}} AllMusic's reviewer Neil Yeung described the song as a "rousing avalanche of drums and guitar" and praised Erna's vocal delivery.{{cite web |last1=Yeung |first1=Neil |title=When Legends Rise - Godsmack |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/when-legends-rise-mw0003154317 |accessdate=28 October 2020 |language=en-us}}
=Commercial=
Upon its release, "When Legends Rise" entered multiple charts, including the Billboard Mainstream Rock. Like the previous single from the album, it peaked at number one where it remained for five consecutive weeks,{{cite web |last1=Rutherford |first1=Kevin |title='Unforgettable' Achievement: Godsmack Scores Fourth Mainstream Rock No. 1 From 'When Legends Rise' Album |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9377713/godsmack-unforgettable-tops-mainstream-rock-songs |website=Billboard |accessdate=30 October 2020 |language=en |date=15 May 2020}} giving Godsmack their ninth number one single on that chart.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/godsmack-achieves-career-first-with-three-no-1-singles-from-same-album/|title=Godsmack Achieves Career First With Three No. 1 Singles From Same Album - Blabbermouth.net|accessdate=27 October 2020|date=22 July 2019|magazine=Blabbermouth.net}}
Personnel
Godsmack
- Sully Erna – vocals, rhythm guitar, production
- Tony Rombola – lead guitar
- Robbie Merrill – bass
- Shannon Larkin – drums
Charts
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| Chart (2019)
! Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadarock|9|artist=Godsmack|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrockairplay|10|artist=Godsmack|rowheader=true|access-date=31 March 2019}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|13|artist=Godsmack|rowheader=true|access-date=31 March 2019}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable " style="text-align:center" |
| Chart (2019)
! Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019|work=Billboard}}
| 77 |
| scope="row"| US Rock Airplay (Billboard){{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/rock-airplay-songs|title=Rock Airplay Songs - Year-End 2019|work=Billboard}}
| 50 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|certyear=2021|relyear=2018|artist=Godsmack|title=When Legends Rise|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=September 27, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=yes | nosales=true | noshipments=true}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
{{Godsmack}}