AVENGED SEVENFOLD has officially declared itself a fully independent band, ending its long-standing relationship with Warner Bros.
Records.
In a recent appearance on Prince St.
Pizza’s 'Delivering Happiness' podcast, singer M.
Shadows confirmed the band’s decision to sever ties with record labels following the release of its 2023 album 'Life Is But A Dream…'.
Shadows stated, 'We did eight records with [Warner], and then we are done with record labels.
So we're a fully independent band now.
Three years ago was our last album we had to do with [Warner], and then because of the way the music industry is now, we just don't see a point of ever being on a label again.
They really can't do much for you.
They'll tell you they can do a lot, but they can't.
There's no radio that matters.
There's no MTV.
They're gonna try to get you on TikTok, which everyone can do themselves.
In my opinion, they don't bring anything extra [to the table].' The singer emphasized the shift in the music industry, noting that past label support—such as advances, producer connections, and promotional placements on Walmart or Target endcaps—no longer exists.
'There's no KROQ anymore that's gonna play something modern.
They don't.
They play all the old stuff.
So there's no point,' Shadows said.
While AVENGED SEVENFOLD has maintained its independence, the band has not ruled out future collaborations with distribution services.
'We don't know what we're gonna do.
Maybe we go to all the streaming services and make our own relationships with them and do our own thing.
But at that point, when you're talking about an eight percent cut, you have to weigh and balance how much you wanna take on,' Shadows added.
'We just know what we're not willing to do.
And what we're not willing to do is just sign into the same kind of thing we have going on now.' Shadows also reflected on the band’s past, including the 2015 legal dispute with Warner Bros.
over the California Labor Code's 'seven-year rule,' which led to the band’s temporary move to Capitol Records.
The surprise release of 'The Stage' in 2016, which sold 76,000 copies in its first week—less than half of previous efforts—sparked industry debate.
Despite the challenges, the band has since returned to Warner Bros.
to finish its contract, citing a shift in leadership and a desire to resolve the dispute amicably.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD now plans to evaluate its next steps with a focus on long-term independence and equitable partnerships, ensuring it avoids past pitfalls while maintaining creative control over its music."