Avenged Sevenfold Ends 26-Year Major-Label Deal, Goes Independent After Buying Back Masters

Avenged Sevenfold has concluded an eight‑album deal with Warner Records, marking the end of a 26‑year partnership with the major label. Their last Warner release, the experimental eighth studio album Life Is But a Dream…, hit shelves on June 2, 2023.

During a recent appearance on Nick Turturro’s Delivering Happiness series, frontman M. Shadows clarified the reasoning behind the split. “We did eight records with them, and then we are done with record labels,” he said. He pointed out that the rise of digital distribution has eroded the value of conventional label services. “There’s no radio that matters. There’s no MTV. In my opinion, they don’t bring anything extra to the table,” he added.

Shadows recounted how labels used to pay retailers for shelf space and push videos to MTV to generate exposure—mechanisms that are now obsolete. He emphasized that the band can upload tracks directly to YouTube and TikTok, tour, and earn more from a single show than it would cost to produce a record.

The decision to go independent took shape in May 2025 when the band bought back the master recordings and rights to its 2016 album The Stage from Capitol Records. The purchase secured Avenged Sevenfold full ownership of a large part of its catalog, eliminating the necessity of a major‑label contract.

Although the band has severed ties with a major label, it said it could still partner with major players for distribution or licensing. Any such collaboration would bypass a conventional record contract.

This move aligns with a wider industry trend of artists reclaiming control over their masters and catalog rights. Master ownership allows Avenged Sevenfold to license tracks directly, negotiate streaming deals, and oversee revenue streams without a label intermediary.

Avenged Sevenfold’s eight Warner releases comprise City of Evil (2005), The Stage (2016), and Life Is But a Dream… (2023). The 2023 album marked the longest interval between studio releases in the band’s catalog, a seven‑year span since The Stage.

Industry observers point out that the band’s departure mirrors shifting economics in music distribution. Streaming platforms and social media now enable artists to connect directly with audiences, lessening reliance on traditional promotion channels like radio and television.

Independence grants Avenged Sevenfold the freedom to schedule tours, release music, and handle merchandising autonomously. The band’s statement highlighted that it now enjoys “no label overhead, no corporate interference, and full control over an album.”

The band’s immediate priorities center on touring and potential future releases. While no official date has surfaced for a new studio album, the group’s penchant for experimentation hints at additional creative endeavors.

In short, Avenged Sevenfold has terminated its 26‑year relationship with Warner Records, reclaimed the masters of The Stage from Capitol Records, and will function as an independent act. The band may still collaborate with major labels for distribution or licensing, but it will forgo a new traditional record contract.