Avenged Sevenfolds M. Shadows Declares Record Labels Obsolete as Band Goes Fully Independent

In 2026, Avenged Sevenfold's frontman M. Shadows declared that record labels had become obsolete for artists. The Huntington Beach metal band became the first group in 26 years to run its operations entirely independently, after purchasing back the master recordings of its 2016 album The Stage from Capitol Records.

Shadows' decision was a culmination of his longstanding critique of the conventional label model, which he says siphons a significant portion of an artist’s earnings while providing minimal support. In a 2024 interview with MusicTech, he warned, “You’re going to take 24 cents on our dollar and that’s all you can do, come up with a f**king fake viral TikTok moment.” The remark underscored his view that the levers once wielded by labels—radio play, MTV exposure, and paid promotion—have lost their relevance.

In the past, labels shaped playlists via paid radio and television placements, financed physical releases, and paid retailers to showcase albums on end‑caps. They even engaged in pay‑ola—a now‑illegal practice that still surfaces in rumors. As mainstream radio dwindles and MTV has ceased to be a gatekeeper, Shadows maintains that labels can no longer command the same exposure.

Today, musicians can drop tracks straight onto YouTube and TikTok and then turn to touring for income. Shadows points out that a single performance can outpace the cost of producing an album. “Now I upload something on YouTube and on TikTok, and I can go play shows. I can make more money in one show than it would cost to make a record,” he explains. The 2026 surprise EP STATICA showcases this new creative path, moving away from the twin‑guitar, ear‑catching formula of earlier releases.

The band’s autonomy extends to fan‑centric ventures. Since 2021, they have run the NFT‑based Deathbats Club and the free Deathbat Rewards program, which pays fans for streaming, buying merch, and attending shows. In a 2024 interview, Shadows said the club “takes power away from corporate networks” and is all about rewarding fans directly.

Shadows urges new artists to remain independent whenever feasible, warning that a major‑label deal can trap musicians in financial obligations that eclipse the upside. “People are still very late to move,” he told the interview. “If you can afford it yourself, you should do it yourself.”

Although he recognizes that radio and MTV helped propel the band early on, Shadows argues those outlets pushed a formulaic mindset. He claims that the emphasis on familiar sounds stifled creativity and reduced music to a commodity rather than an art form.

The move to full independence is a watershed moment for a band that had been tethered to major labels since its debut. The Stage—released in 2016 under Capitol Records after a dispute with Warner Bros.—was the first album to leave the Warner umbrella. By 2026, Avenged Sevenfold had reclaimed its masters and was operating without label assistance.

Today, Avenged Sevenfold continues as an independent act, dropping new material like STATICA while nurturing fan engagement through the Deathbats Club and Deathbat Rewards. Their approach exemplifies a wider industry shift toward digital platforms and direct fan relationships as the mainstay of artist sustainability.