ArtistDirect News
Avenged Sevenfold Declares Record Labels Obsolete After Buying Back Masters
In a move that feels like a seismic shift for the heavy‑metal stalwarts, Avenged Sevenfold announced in August 2026 that the band has become fully independent after completing an eight‑album contract with Warner Records in June 2023. The decision follows the group’s purchase of the master recordings and rights to its 2016 album The Stage from Capitol Records in May 2025, giving the band full ownership of a significant portion of its catalog.
During an appearance on the podcast Delivering Happiness, hosted by actor Nick Turturro for Prince St. Pizza, frontman M. Shadows explained the reasoning. He said the band had finished its obligations with Warner after releasing Life Is But a Dream…, the eighth studio album that closed the label partnership. “We did eight records with them, and then we are done with record labels,” Shadows told the show. “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 highlighted the decline of traditional promotional channels that once justified a label’s role. He noted that major labels historically paid retailers for prime shelf space, pushed videos to MTV, and secured radio play. “Now it’s all gone,” he said. “So I can go 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 than they can give you.”
The band’s shift to independence is part of a broader trend in the music business, where artists increasingly rely on digital platforms for distribution and promotion. With no major‑label backing, Avenged Sevenfold will retain full control over future releases, marketing, and touring decisions. According to the interview, the group may still partner with major labels for distribution or licensing deals, but any such arrangement would not involve a traditional record contract.
Avenged Sevenfold’s history with major labels dates back to 2004, when the band signed a five‑album deal with Warner Bros. Records. The group released four of the five albums under that agreement before a legal dispute in 2016 led to the release of The Stage through Capitol Records. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and marked the first time the band operated outside the Warner umbrella.
The purchase of The Stage masters in 2025 was a significant milestone. It gave the band complete ownership of the recordings and the rights to the album’s songs, allowing them to monetize the catalog directly. The acquisition also removed a potential revenue stream that had previously been controlled by a major label.
Avenged Sevenfold has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and has earned two consecutive No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. The band’s decision to go independent follows a period of experimentation with its sound, from the metalcore roots of its debut to the progressive metal of The Stage and the experimental approach of Life Is But a Dream….
Industry analysts view the band’s move as a case study in how established acts can leverage their brand and fan base to operate outside the traditional label system. The band’s ability to generate revenue through touring, merchandise, and direct digital sales may serve as a model for other artists considering similar paths.
As of August 2026, Avenged Sevenfold remains active on the touring circuit and has announced a new EP, STATICA, slated for release later in the year. The EP will be distributed independently, with the band handling all marketing and sales through its own channels.
In summary, Avenged Sevenfold’s transition to full independence after an eight‑album contract with Warner Records and the acquisition of The Stage masters marks a definitive shift in the band’s business strategy. The move reflects broader changes in the music industry, where artists increasingly rely on digital platforms and direct fan engagement to sustain their careers without major‑label support.
During an appearance on the podcast Delivering Happiness, hosted by actor Nick Turturro for Prince St. Pizza, frontman M. Shadows explained the reasoning. He said the band had finished its obligations with Warner after releasing Life Is But a Dream…, the eighth studio album that closed the label partnership. “We did eight records with them, and then we are done with record labels,” Shadows told the show. “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 highlighted the decline of traditional promotional channels that once justified a label’s role. He noted that major labels historically paid retailers for prime shelf space, pushed videos to MTV, and secured radio play. “Now it’s all gone,” he said. “So I can go 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 than they can give you.”
The band’s shift to independence is part of a broader trend in the music business, where artists increasingly rely on digital platforms for distribution and promotion. With no major‑label backing, Avenged Sevenfold will retain full control over future releases, marketing, and touring decisions. According to the interview, the group may still partner with major labels for distribution or licensing deals, but any such arrangement would not involve a traditional record contract.
Avenged Sevenfold’s history with major labels dates back to 2004, when the band signed a five‑album deal with Warner Bros. Records. The group released four of the five albums under that agreement before a legal dispute in 2016 led to the release of The Stage through Capitol Records. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and marked the first time the band operated outside the Warner umbrella.
The purchase of The Stage masters in 2025 was a significant milestone. It gave the band complete ownership of the recordings and the rights to the album’s songs, allowing them to monetize the catalog directly. The acquisition also removed a potential revenue stream that had previously been controlled by a major label.
Avenged Sevenfold has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and has earned two consecutive No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. The band’s decision to go independent follows a period of experimentation with its sound, from the metalcore roots of its debut to the progressive metal of The Stage and the experimental approach of Life Is But a Dream….
Industry analysts view the band’s move as a case study in how established acts can leverage their brand and fan base to operate outside the traditional label system. The band’s ability to generate revenue through touring, merchandise, and direct digital sales may serve as a model for other artists considering similar paths.
As of August 2026, Avenged Sevenfold remains active on the touring circuit and has announced a new EP, STATICA, slated for release later in the year. The EP will be distributed independently, with the band handling all marketing and sales through its own channels.
In summary, Avenged Sevenfold’s transition to full independence after an eight‑album contract with Warner Records and the acquisition of The Stage masters marks a definitive shift in the band’s business strategy. The move reflects broader changes in the music industry, where artists increasingly rely on digital platforms and direct fan engagement to sustain their careers without major‑label support.