Avenged Sevenfold Declares Record Labels Obsolete After Buying Back Master Rights
Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) has taken a decisive step toward full artistic autonomy by ending an eight‑album partnership with Warner Records that wrapped up in June 2023. The move marks the first time the band has operated without a major label in a 26‑year span.
In a recent episode of the Delivering Happiness series, hosted by actor Nick Turturro, frontman M. Shadows explained why the band feels the traditional label model has lost its relevance. “We did eight records with them, and then we are done with record labels,” Shadows said. “Three years ago was our last album we had to do with them, 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.”
Shadows outlined several concrete shifts that have eroded a label’s value proposition. He noted that radio play and MTV exposure, once cornerstones of promotion, no longer command the audience reach they once did. Likewise, big-box retailers such as Walmart and Target no longer pay labels for prime shelf space, a practice that had once helped fund marketing pushes. Instead, artists can upload music directly to platforms like YouTube and TikTok, and touring revenue can now exceed the cost of a studio record. “They’ll tell you they can do a lot, but they can’t,” he added. “There’s no radio that matters. There’s no MTV. In my opinion, they don’t bring anything extra to the table.”
The band’s newfound independence was cemented in May 2025 when A7X purchased the master recordings and rights to its 2016 album The Stage from Capitol Records. The acquisition gave the group full ownership of a significant portion of its catalog. The Stage had originally been released under Capitol after a dispute with Warner Bros. in 2015, when the band invoked California’s seven‑year rule to exit its contract. The album was the first to leave the Warner umbrella, and the band later returned to Warner to complete the remainder of its contract, culminating with the 2023 release Life Is But a Dream….
Shadows clarified that while the band will remain independent, it may still partner with major labels for distribution or licensing on a case‑by‑case basis. “Any future arrangement wouldn’t involve signing a traditional record contract,” he said. This stance mirrors a broader industry shift in which artists retain ownership of masters and negotiate flexible deals that focus on specific services rather than full label agreements.
By owning its masters, Avenged Sevenfold gains control over how its music is used across streaming, licensing, and other revenue streams without the constraints of a conventional label structure. The decision places the band among a growing cohort of established acts that have opted for full independence after long tenures with major labels. The move also signals a confidence that the band’s touring schedule, direct‑to‑consumer marketing, and digital presence can sustain its commercial momentum.
Avenged Sevenfold continues to tour and release new material under its own imprint. The band’s decision follows a history of navigating label disputes, including a lawsuit with Warner Bros. in 2015 and a best‑of compilation released by the former label shortly before the band’s latest album dropped.
In summary, Avenged Sevenfold is now a fully independent act, owning the masters to The Stage and its other catalog. The group will pursue future distribution or licensing deals on a case‑by‑case basis rather than through a conventional record contract, allowing it to maintain full control over its creative output and commercial strategy.
