“Hail to the King was our attempt at Metallica’s Black Album,” says M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold)

In a recent interview with Bradley Hall, M. Shadows, lead vocalist of Avenged Sevenfold, reflected on the creative process behind Hail to the King and the band's decision to simplify their sound. The goal was to produce a hard rock and heavy metal record reminiscent of timeless classics—like Metallica's Black Album.

"Hail to the King was a response to the fact that we were a popular band, but our songs weren't playing everywhere. We didn't have anything that could stand next to AC/DC, or Metallica's Black Album, or all those records we love. All our stuff was a little too complex, a little too neoclassical," M. Shadows admitted during the interview.

He continued: "So we started to really put that into practice; using the influences we had up our sleeves in this kind of simplified version of rock. And that's not a knock on those bands—they do it brilliantly. They do it better than us. But we wanted to try to do something like that. It's not very natural for us, it's not what we usually do."

Released in 2013, Hail to the King marked a pivotal moment in Avenged Sevenfold's career. Unlike previous works, such as the epic and technically intricate Nightmare (2010), this album drew inspiration from more straightforward, minimalist sounds, paying homage to icons like Metallica, AC/DC, and Guns N' Roses. The rawer approach was a deliberate attempt to reach new audiences and solidify the band's standing in the metal mainstream.

With tracks like "Shepherd of Fire," "This Means War," and the title track "Hail to the King," the album delivered memorable riffs, classic song structures, and powerful choruses—setting itself apart from the technical complexity and progressive elements that characterized earlier releases. The production was also more refined, with a focus on drums and vocals, pleasing both longtime fans and new listeners.

In addition to revisiting their musical roots, Avenged Sevenfold continues to look toward the future. The band recently announced a series of shows across Europe in 2025, including 12 performances throughout the month of June. The tour will feature appearances at major festivals like Release Athens, Rock For People, Provinssi Rock, and Tons of Rock. This will be the band's second European tour since the release of their most recent album, Life Is But a Dream…, launched in January of last year, which explored existential themes and experimental sounds.

Blending creative boldness with reverence for rock and metal's legacy, Avenged Sevenfold continues to challenge expectations. Hail to the King stands as a brilliant example of how the band managed to adapt their sound while staying true to their essence—firmly establishing themselves as one of the most relevant acts in modern metal.