Written by Chad I Ginsburg and Deron Miller, it was originally featured on the soundtrack to the 2010 film Jackass 3D, and was later included on the band's 2011 compilation album B-Sides & Rarities.

The band's frontman Deron Miller originally wrote the music for the song and recorded the basic guitar riffs, although it was later shelved and not completed in time to be considered for inclusion on the album.

[2][3] Speaking about the themes of the song in a behind-the-scenes interview, Ginsburg explained that the majority of the lyrics were written in relation to "being a stuntman", in line with the content of the Jackass TV series and films.

[4] "Afterworld" was first released as a digital download single on iTunes and Amazon.com on September 30, 2010, alongside an acoustic recording of Carver City closing track "Era of an End".

Rick Florino of Artistdirect claimed that the song "elevates [CKY's] patented progressively pummeling hard rock into new sonic territory" and features "a combination of polyrhythmic riffing, searing lead lines and impassioned, infectious vocal delivery",[3] while AllMusic's Jason Lymangrover criticized its inclusion on the Jackass 3D soundtrack.