In a recent interview with Bradley Hall, M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold discussed the creation of their 2013 album Hail to the King and the band’s decision to simplify their sound during its production.
Shadows revealed that the decision to tone down their musical complexity was an intentional shift, even though it felt somewhat “unnatural” for the band. Their aim was to create a hard rock and heavy metal album that could resonate with a wider audience, similar to how Metallica’s Black Album became a defining record for the genre.
“Hail to the King was a response to the fact that we were a big band, but none of our songs could be played anywhere in a bar. We had nothing that lived up to AC/DC, or Metallica’s Black Album, or all these albums that we love,” Shadows admitted. “All of our stuff’s a little too complex, a little too neoclassical.”
He continued, explaining how the band began embracing a more stripped-down approach: “So, we started really cutting close, wearing our influences very much on our sleeves in this sort of dumbed-down version of rock music. And that’s not a shot at those bands, because they do it brilliantly. They do it better than us. But we wanted to try our hand at doing something like that. It’s very unnatural for us, it’s not what we do.”
This simplification marked a significant departure from their earlier, more intricate albums. However, Shadows reflected on how their evolution as a band allowed them to push their boundaries and become more fearless with each release. “With each album we’re becoming a little more fearless,” he shared in a 2007 interview. “The scene’s also stagnating. There are five million shitty, disgraceful heavy metal bands. What would be the point of being just another imitator of Iron Maiden or Metallica?”
Looking ahead, Avenged Sevenfold is gearing up for an exciting year. After wrapping up their festival gigs in 2025, the band is set to embark on a major tour in June 2025. Kicking off on June 14 in France, the band will travel across Slovenia, Italy, Germany, and several other countries before concluding their tour on June 29 in Sweden. Fans can expect a high-energy tour as Avenged Sevenfold continues to explore new musical territory.