After carving out their niche in the Orange County metalcore scene, Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) emerged as one of the defining bands of the 2000s. With their self-titled fourth album, they weren’t just ready to silence the critics—they were prepared to revolutionize their sound. Vocalist M Shadows recounted the band’s evolution and triumphs in a revealing interview with Metal Hammer at the time.
By May 2004, Avenged Sevenfold had already made significant waves with their first two albums, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet and Waking the Fallen. However, Shadows faced a severe setback: recurring damage to his vocal cords threatened to end his career prematurely. “My doctor said, ‘Dude, if you keep screaming that way, you won’t be able to sing or even talk within five years,’” he recalled. Shadows opted for an innovative laser surgery technique, similar to one used to treat scars on newborns. Post-surgery, he endured two months of complete silence, which was a daunting prospect with the Warped Tour looming just three months away.
This period of recovery proved to be transformative. Shadows began vocal training with Ronnie Anderson, renowned for coaching legends like Axl Rose and Chris Cornell. “I had to pay for lessons out of my pocket—$35,000 in total—but it was worth it,” he shared. With his newfound vocal prowess, Shadows and A7X decided to abandon the screaming that characterized their earlier work, which had become ubiquitous in the scene. Instead, they sought inspiration from classic rock and metal titans like Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, and Queen.
Their pivot resulted in the 2005 release of City of Evil, an album praised for its bold departure from their metalcore roots. Embracing grandiose melodies and intricate compositions, it showcased A7X’s versatility and willingness to experiment.
As they prepared to release their self-titled follow-up, the band’s confidence was palpable. Shadows emphasized their readiness to challenge expectations: “We didn’t even listen to those types of bands anymore. Everyone was screaming the verses and singing the choruses. We wanted to do something different.”
The self-titled album, which dropped in 2007, solidified A7X’s reputation as a band that defied genre constraints and pushed boundaries. It was a declaration of their artistic independence and resilience, proving that they could evolve while staying true to their essence.
Avenged Sevenfold’s journey from the Orange County underground to mainstream success was marked by personal and professional trials. Yet, their determination to innovate and their refusal to be pigeonholed set them apart. As they continue to evolve, A7X remains a testament to the power of reinvention in rock music.
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