Avenged Sevenfold singer M. Shadows has penned an op-ed for Revolver magazine in which he explains why he stands with the “Black Lives Matter” movement. The movement has taken center stage in the past two weeks following the killing of George Floyd while under arrest and the subsequent civil unrest nationwide.
The vocalist wrote in part, “I understand that the Avenged Sevenfold fanbase is made up of very few black Americans. That is why I feel more compelled than ever to write this to you. We can be the ones — the rock and metal community — to reach out and show the compassion that I know is in us all to help raise up our fellow humans.”
He continued, “I, for one, enjoy black American culture. The music, art, films, clothing, sports, food. All of it has made my life better. I have no doubt we are a better country because of the black American influence. Hell, Chuck Berry was the Father of Rock & Roll! Standing against inequality and systemic racism is the very least we can all do.”
Addressing the band's past use of provocative lyrics and imagery, such as Confederate flags, Shadows wrote, “I'm sure we will be called out, and rightfully so, by people reading this. No excuses. But everyone grows up at some point, and I feel grateful that we have an audience that has allowed us to evolve with them.”
Avenged Sevenfold had an early reputation for leaning more to the right in their politics, but surprised fans when they scheduled a tour — later cancelled — with the left-leaning Prophets Of Rage. Shadows told us at the time he was comfortable going out with them: “I think they're a little further left than I am. I like to stay down the middle on a lot of things, but I definitely lean in their direction. I think when we were younger we didn't, and a lot of it was just us being antagonistic towards the political bands that were on Warped Tour. I definitely find myself, you know, agreeing with a lot of their stances, but I think sometimes they go a little further than I would go.”
Shadows concluded his essay by saying, “I can only hope that the rock and metal community, and the white community at large, can move forward with an open mind and come together to help out our fellow Americans in this desperate time.”