Artist Friendly with Joel Madden | M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold | Full Episode

[@Andy-i3i]

Man I remember way back when they released The River, that was awesome.

[@TankP0wnz]

That song got me into A7X

[@bystarlite33]

I heard that song in Walmart recently, felt amazing and painful lol

[@Andy-i3i]

@@bystarlite33 oh god, yeah that’s when you know you’re old. Hearing your once favorite or popular music of the time being played at grocery stores. Soon they’ll be using all our generation’s favorite artists and melodies for commercials and medication ads.

[@TomWhaley621]

Matt’s interviews have been especially great over the last few years. I could listen to ten hours of this

[@TheRealAngelGrace]

The conversation around the hour mark was very enjoyable for me. Hearing these two have such different views and respectfully discussing the topic.

[@blacksunshine9995]

It was interesting to hear Matt speak about what he believes about life, and I didn't know Joel was more of a believe there is a God kind of person. What I notice from Matt though, is he is holding back from outright mocking religion. He's holding firm to what he sees as questionable things about religion and God as a concept or a being and is saying it's not for him because some stuff is absurd. But what he isn't seeing is that everything is absurd in life. Everything down to the atom is absurd when we look at it and then expand our view to the wider scope of the universe. We are trying to make sense of our existence in this momentary lifespan we have and deep down we are all scared and choose to cling to the life raft we think will bring us to safety into the unknown side of the veil. For Matt it's his belief that he doesn't need to be told what is right and wrong (even though we do need to be told, hence our laws and justice system), he doesn't need a guiding hand, he doesn't need some "guy in sky" (that's a childish argument, God is beyond the scope and limits of reality as we know it and not just in the clouds only children use that mock phrase) telling him that he would like a relationship with him. And that's the problem with atheism. Man wants his own path, his own rules, his own choices, his free will to be absolute, and no one guiding them by an invisible hand. But man is flawed. Man is corruptible. Man is scared and violent and lawless by nature. And only law and order and guidance and mercy can ferry man across this turbulent sea of life.

[@Kalebsweeten]

@@blacksunshine9995awesome insight. I couldn’t agree more.

[@Delve1414]

​@@blacksunshine9995 completely agree, well said

[@theechromedome]

​@blacksunshine9995 I'm a Christian and even to my Christian friends and family I always tell them like. To say what someone else believes is absurd is absurd. Like for us to even believe the son of God was born of a virgin. Like that sounds so insane. Yet we claim to believe it. What makes what other absurdities even more plausible than ours? We can belive and an ever existing God exists but yet we bag on someone for thinking the universe was just created out of a big bang. And Vice Versa. It's all absurd when you take the time to think about it and we don't really know at the end of the day. What created the flash of the big bang. Did the universe materials always exist before that. Did God always just exist. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@timetounwind9687]

Great interview, I always love hearing Matt's views on the world, and this last album has really opened my eyes to a lot of things I've been feeling myself.

[@jasanna4365]

So fuckn truee

[@digdeepertv7388]

I cannot believe how few have seen this. Beautiful. Thought provoking. Everything modern podcasts should be. Thank you

[@anthonyrue36]

This is one of my favorite interviews I have ever watched. Easily my favorite of Matt’s, and I typically watch any I can find as he is infinitely interesting to me. Well worth the time if you’re an A7X fan or not!

[@ryanwallis677]

Dude I agree. The man is so wise. I listen to podcasts featuring him whenever I need motivation for my business. His subtle artistic advice is brilliant.

[@smothystuff6377]

Matt is the most majestic looking person to ever exist

[@K.E.N.J.I.B.A.B.Y]

And his friggin dimples are killin meh!!!

[@OscarJaureguiLMVR]

The guy that introduced me into rock music interviewing the guy that got me into heavier rock. Great!

[@candaceblack1988]

I loved this interview! Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@Arabesque01]

At 13 years old I was banging to GC and A7X music, and lately I have been looking into music production podcast to learn and make music myself. How crazy you are doing this podcast project right now, thank you forever ❤.

[@tholomewplague7732]

Bro's looking majestic in the thumbnail

[@Dwesk]

Swear to god thought it was some random third guy and not M Shadows, dude looks closer to 30 than his age.

[@DRP2025]

fantastic interview! wish we had 10 more hours of this conversation.

[@Chadpbj]

I’ve seen every interview of Matt’s and this is by far my fav

[@Andy-i3i]

56:00 M. Shadows vocalizing thoughts I’ve held for a long time is so nice to hear. The individualistic experience is so important to keep in mind. Despite research studies claiming a specific income range can make someone happy to a certain extent is shadowed by what was said earlier on schools being a place to teach people to be one way and prioritizing the workers, not to sound conspiratorial but studies can vary based on subject pools or can be done with the intent to make a generalized summary to show people that they must believe a certain thing, just how healthcare in the US has been, normalizing the socializing of murd3r at the behest of a company and their profits driven motives.

[@chubbacheeks1334]

Write the book, Matt! 🖤💀🦇

[@jprobertson-e1j]

I love these conversations. Matt and Joel continue to blow my minds.

[@SamiSue]

Great interview! Love both bands. They need to tour together ❤

[@Colt2OO2]

Yeah I know some people don't like Matt and that's fine if you're talking about his vocal style but I'm honestly not sure how you could dislike him as a person with how thoughtful he's always been. His views obviously aren't going to be agreed with by everyone but you can tell that he genuinely puts a lot of thought into his opinions regardless of the topic at hand and that's always worth respecting

[@davidstowlehouse4920]

I can agree to that. He’s a very well spoken individual. That singing kills this band for me. Just sounds like posers trying to be metal. All of them. Not just his vocals. But they certainly kill the band for me. Worst style I’ve ever heard for singing. Not sure how they’ve made a name for themselves over the years 🤦‍♂️

[@scoopskiii]

@@davidstowlehouse4920if you use the term posers, you’re a neckbeard incel.

[@Colt2OO2]

@@davidstowlehouse4920 Doesn't sound like you've heard much of their material or bothered even listening to the music by itself then because you'd see why they're so popular. There's actually quite a few modern bands who've named them as an influence on their own styles, so they're doing something right in my estimation but again, to each their own and I'm not gonna be the worst kind of fanboy (yes, I'm a diehard Avenged fan in case you couldn't tell) and just attack you for not liking the band or even just certain aspects of their sound, I get that they're not everyone's cup of tea to say the least but they at least deserve respect for how big they've made themselves.

[@KarzGuitar]

Loved this chat! Two friends having a great conversation, respectfully disagreeing while still listening to each other's insights. Just some clarification regarding the happiness vs income study - I believe the finding was that happiness showed *diminishing returns* after around $75k/year. It's not saying that you won't be happier earning $100k+ or whatever, but the fulfilment you feel at each pay increase is much less per dollar than it was below $75k. I've seen some comments that misunderstood the point so I thought I'd throw in my two cents, because of course living in a nicer neighbourhood, being able to afford better lifestyle choices, sending your children to more expensive schools etc can all bring happiness that seems enviable. But our psyche doesn't seem to reward us for achieving those higher-end outcomes anywhere near as much as it rewards us for simply making ends meet in the short-term. EDIT: also that sneaky cut at 1:19:20 🤣

[@OnlyBadVibes935]

i wonder what it was they cut out

[@stuckintheinbetween]

I was so into Waking the Fallen back in 2003/2004 when I was a young hardcore/metalcore kid.

[@deedsdilla]

Was this recorded in 23? Great pod episode! Saw A7X on leg 3 of libad tour, they were fucking great! Save Me and Cosmic live is an A++++ experience.

[@K.E.N.J.I.B.A.B.Y]

The statement he made about being a god is actually said in the Bible so he's not entirely wrong. And his dimples are soooooooo... Ahhhhhhhhhh❤

[@helco2856]

Great convo 💯

[@lucapresents4790]

I hope they do the river together one day, I really love both bands and have every record by both bands

[@firepootz1]

Hail To The KINGS! Hail to the ONES!!

[@chrisgirth7373]

Haven't listened to Avenged since Waking the Fallen. Actually liked the latest album and its the first one that really caught my attention since. Matt is such a great interview and what a conversation between both.

[@Will-ej7sp]

ahhh man..please do yourself a favor and just take a week to listen through their albums. waking the fallen, into city of evil, into self titled then NIGHTMARE....do yourself that favor. so, so good.

[@chrisgirth7373]

@Will-ej7sp I've heard alot of the singles and didn't really like any of them.

[@Kenkatsu17]

@@chrisgirth7373 the singles are almost always the worst songs on the album. That goes for every artist.

[@SPT90]

Before i heard your collaboration on song the River, found not much different voice guys 😊 you are both humble, both of you my favorite singer ❤️ watch from India 🎉🎉

[@cameronbrooks1582]

Nice to watch Matt listen to Joel for an hour and a half. lol.

[@No-sr5fb]

Been hoping he'd be a guest on here eventually! Pumped to watch homies

[@maurobruggemann2061]

This is the podcast we aways wanted, thanks for that and keep bringing this amazing guests. All the love from brazil

[@tilemahosberetis4417]

Nice chat, enjoyed it

[@Andy-i3i]

40:50 the comparison of it being a muscle is really well put, I definitely believe certain people have an inclination to be more art driven. Thanks to those people we that are a bit more repressed or don’t exercise that creative artistic muscle can find ourselves in art, be it music, traditional art, technology or other mediums. The humanities are often overlooked with the growth of money and attention driven demand of a lot of society today, even the social media spaces have people catering to the algorithm or look to boost visibility by making things that would do well or go viral, a lot more focus on the hook of a song than the actual song itself as a story or piece as a whole, for example.

[@julianamattoso7709]

shadows 💙

[@vanessacruzz_]

been a fan for over 12 years and will continue on through every life phase 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@jessegarcia1084]

¡Good charlotte and Avenged sevenfold!

[@DavidDantePhoenix]

It's great to hear Matt speak the good word of atheism.

[@zonic26]

The moment I saw this I thought would have to be a reunion as Shadows and Synyster happened to be on a Good Charlotte song on the album Good Morning Revival released the same year as A7X's self titled white album

[@hammerbacher23]

We Love You Matt!!

[@xero3088]

These two were baptized in the river ❤

[@OnlyBadVibes935]

did they say in here this was filmed in 2023? What's the reason for it coming out so late (just curiousity, i'm glad it exists in general)

[@hobbitron101]

Matt with the 3-in-1 haircut 😂

[@mrnobody1231]

this is the first time I hear Joel's talking voice and i just realised he sounds like Lex Fridman

[@yogiginanjarreal]

We love you avenged sevenfold .. from indonesia❤

[@ghost15948]

Remember the river

[@adamrivera2499]

I got into ak7 because of the song the river

[@neXib]

Funny, I feel exactly the same as Matt, I embrace the chaos of non answers.

[@brittanymyrick3321]

Aww, two of my favorite bands. It's such a great podcast, fellas. Love the song The River GC did with M Shadows & Sinister. One of my favorite songs. Pray for Los Angeles right now with the wild fires. 😭🙏🤘🖤💚🦇

[@faaip]

Their latest album is their best. It reminds me of when Metallica did load and reload, right after drastically changing styles with the black album (like the stage). It's not for everyone, but it feels like it's for me

[@Phaseish]

DAMN THIS INTERVIEW LOL TOOK A MIUNUTE .

[@batmanjoker2273]

Matt my first tattoo was a7x

[@1515VENOM]

Mine was GC

[@_WeDontKnow_]

is Matt stealing souls for youth or something? He looks like he's in his 30s here

[@JoshRC32]

dude seriously, i’ve been a fan since i was 13, in 2007. This man looked ten years OLDER when i saw them at lunatic luau in 2013. i look older than he does now, i just turned 30!

[@TimBuysse-j5r]

Who watched and listened to the River after this? Heck yeah!!! Great interview!!

[@ninaeatspie]

What an interesting Interview, thank you so much! Love A7x and came for Matt, but now I am newly subbed to this channel

[@HaciendaGardeners]

Great conversation! 🤘🤘 The River is an awesome song!

[@nickmonda738]

My 2 favorite bands!!! I could literally cry with joy!!! I've seen a7x live five times in this welcome to Rockville will be my first time seeing Good Charlotte!!!!! Finally!!! I absolutely love these podcasts please don't ever stop

[@davidstowlehouse4920]

A lot of wasted money on one of the worst possible singers ever

[@thexpatplanner]

Could have a good chat with you guys over a beer. Thoughtful and reasonable. Which isn’t really in vogue in 2025.

[@Shakethe5Dusts]

1:08:20 Pain is the first teacher. Love does not teach you the stove burns.

[@biscoffology]

1:18:10 montreal mention🥰

[@jacklandon9739]

Come on Joel! Their Best Album? Interesting bro 🤙🏻

[@jeansonserin]

🖤

[@Doublekixdrums]

4:22 G reference?

[@aerahtv0000]

3:48 its cool when the band moves forward and tries a new things, but if in the process of that, the band removes some key features for what people like this band in the first place, that is where i have a problem. p.s. the last album is cool, just not on par with the previous works

[@jamessheppard8402]

why does matt look so young. he looks good. also when did he get rid of his deathbat tattoo on his hand?

[@georgeramos2176]

He didn't get rid of the tattoo

[@Jessssssy]

I know A7X bcs of The River Btw, we are waiting for too long for the Good Charlotte album. Did you guys have a plan?

[@guitarwelsh]

19:20.... perseverance dude!....lol

[@mooner77]

Is it the old video from another previous month or just as new as of now video???

[@NorthNodeAlchemyst]

❤

[@mitchellantonius8732]

Does anyone know the outdo song at 1:36:55

[@jamieA7Xfan90]

I had the privilege of seeing Avenged Sevenfold for the 1st time in my life on the Sunday night last June at Download Festival with my now ex partner (we broke up December 2024). They played an amazing set despite the temporary power cut that occured

[@TheSuperGSS]

Pinkerton and Yeezus 👌

[@pnu-n4p]

감사 합니다.

[@BlizzardWind99]

In the name of God the Most Praise, I am a muslim and I like the podcast that you had with Mr. M shadows. It's interesting to me hear his POV and your POV in purpose aspect. As I said, I'm a muslim which means in Arabic submit to God (Allah) which God put us here to worship Him as He says in this ayah (verse), "I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me." Quran 51 (Chapter):56 (Verse). And why Allah the Most High created us later on? It's because to make us to Khalifah or Authority in this world as He says, "˹Remember˺ when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to place a successive ˹human˺ authority on earth.” They [Angels] asked ˹Allah˺, “Will You place in it someone who will spread corruption there and shed blood while we glorify Your praises and proclaim Your holiness?” Allah responded, “I know what you do not know.” Quran 2: 30. As you can see humans will do and spread corruption as history already told us but why? Why did Allah did that? It is because a test for us humans being to see who will pass and will not, "˹He is the One˺ Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving." Quran 67:2. As it's all true that God (Allah) made that the bigbang as He says in this verse, "Do the disbelievers not realize that the heavens and earth were ˹once˺ one mass then We split them apart? And We created from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?" Quran 21: 30. And in Islam Jesus Christ was not God but a Prophet just like Muhammad SAW and human just like us, "Jesus declared, “I am truly a servant of Allah. He has destined me to be given the Scripture (Torah) and to be a prophet (30). He (Allah) has made me a blessing wherever I go, and bid me to establish prayer and give alms-tax as long as I live (31), and to be kind to my mother. He has not made me arrogant or defiant (32). Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I will be raised back to life! (33) That is Jesus, son of Mary. ˹And this is˺ a word of truth, about which they dispute (34). It is not for Allah to take a son! Glory be to Him. When He decrees a matter, He simply tells it, “Be!” And it is! (35) ˹Jesus also declared,˺ “Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him ˹alone˺. This is the Straight Path.” (36) Quran Surah Maryam (Mary) 19: 30-36. Like in our mother's womb, we did not know that was another life beside as we never experienced it but when we got out of our womb, We realized that there's much more than this. It's the same thing as afterlife, we do not know there's an another life until we experience it. So how do we know it? That's why God sent us Book of Revelation (Torah, Injil or Gospel and Quran) to guide us to the straight path and know the real reality which is afterlife which we will not die ever again as God says, "hey only know (what reaches to their senses from) the outward aspect of the life of this world, but they are heedless and unaware of (what lies beyond it and) the Hereafter." Quran Rome 30:7. and "O my people! The life of this world is but a (passing) enjoyment, while the Hereafter - that is indeed the home of permanence." Quran 40:39. Anyone who is reading this thank you and if you have any question I will be happy to ask with the knowledge I have but I'm also a student of knowledge so I will answer with my best ability and knowledge.

[@TheLilia7x]

It got good around 40 mins in

[@GuilleJP]

At 2:02 Joel Madden says it's their best album?? I don't agree, the view counts speak for themselves. I'm a big fan of Avenged Sevenfold and I like all their albums since Sounding the Seventh Trumpet. But in my opinion the new album Life is but a dream starts off very strong and exciting, new sounds that I like! But after the first 5 songs, the album becomes flat, it seems like the songs never end, and you look back and say it was another song... ok... Of course everyone is free to make and compose the album they want with the style they want, but this new album is quite risky.

[@MerryChristmasx2024x]

Love you all so much Jesus bless y'all awesome happy new year ❤🥰🥰🥰🎉🎉🎉

[@jordynwinzer657]

What’s the band name he said gave him fireworks? Need to check them out.

[@samlogan5893]

100 gecs

[@Svenbrandar-kh2oy]

I wonder why this was just released 😅

[@plaguedoctorkris]

GIVE US THAT A7X & GOOD CHARLOTTE WORLD TOUR 2026

[@LILJROD90]

If morals aren’t given to us by a higher being how can we possibly know what good and bad are? If people are inherently good HOW do we know They are good? What is telling you they are good? Nature can give us our morals because nature is just a thing… it just IS. So without a higher being establishing our morality…. How can we determine anything to be good or bad? If life is truly meaningless then is there even a point to “being good” and knowing what good is?

[@xtothebeatyallx]

I heard of M Shadows because of Black Ops 4 😂

[@MrGuitarforyou]

Hey Joel. Idk if we are related. But that would be cool lol

[@AshleyakaAshleighYuzicapi]

hard to imagine ya'll when id been 8-10

[@lilgwagon5056]

LIBAD is good but self titled will always be their best album

[@TourDriverSean]

Love Shadows, and it's a great interview. But I can't take financial answers from someone who has a net worth of 20 million dollars in today's economy. It was much different 20 years ago when they were "struggling"

[@stevefilley9765]

NOBODY. 😊😊😊

[@eduardoignacioroblessosa6349]

God gave us free will. 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NVI) “I have the right to do anything,” you say-but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”-but not everything is constructive.

[@deankay800]

I don't understand his haircut🤣.

[@OnlyBadVibes935]

it's just a mullet lol

[@shaka_lutherking7152]

I don't mean to be an asshole, but hearing a7x talk their music is just boring to me. Their last record is a mess, imo, and straight plagiarism for a couple songs and them talking about making "art" and conflating how great this thing is so boring to listen to. OK so you ripped off daft punk, you're wearing their shirt, which you've worn on stage and in other interviews since the last album came out and they out here talking about this album like they literally invented the wheel

[@blacksunshine9995]

Matt thinks the fans want A7X to go back to a certain era of music that they loved, but he's only half right. Yes, at the end of the day we want to hear albums in the same vein as Nightmare or Self titled or City of Evil. We love those albums and the memories we had when listening to them. But on the other hand, we just don't want to hear them phone it in. And they did on this last album. I can't take it seriously, and I've listened to it quite a few times and while there are some songs i can vibe with, I just can't take it seriously as an A7X record. This band took the concept of their song ALPOH, and have been trying to find a way to make an album out of being absurd and experimental like that song, and it just hasn't worked. What made their little sprinkles of absurdity work was because the next song was going to be something dark and gothic, then the next was a thrash throwback, then the next was speed metal, then the next was a ballad, then the next was sing along anthem, etc. It worked because it wasn't the focus of the entire album and could be appreciated by the fans because it was something special. But their last two albums haven't been special.They've been mediocre and phoned in and this isn't me hating in any way, it's facts. You look at the band at any point from the last 6 or 7 years and you'll see the enthusiasm has dropped, the energy has dropped, the passion has dropped. And i wish this band had passion again. I wish this band wasn't in such a slump and could produce something with heart and emotion again. But they're hellbent on doing anything and everything they can to distance themselves from what made them unique and what made their fans love them in the first place. It's like they're allergic to doing something twice. Well, until they got to this album when every single song is the same shade of bland. I love this band, even have a portrait of Matt tatted on my under arm. I gave this album a chance. I tried to follow the band and Matts interviews during this album cycle. I just don't see the same band anymore, and no it's not because they've grown and changed their tastes or they're not in their angsty 20's anymore. They're not the same because they just gave up.

[@Andy-i3i]

Art is subjective.

[@Shakethe5Dusts]

100 gecs is cringe and less than me. Have always felt this way. Disappointing comment.

[@samuel_doran]

"Best album," huh?

[@samuel_doran]

This was the first album I couldn't listen from beginning to end.

[@OnlyBadVibes935]

you when someone has a different opinion: 😡

[@tegyrbrayton5094]

Ew joel' hand tattoo

[@ninaeatspie]

Well, I actually love it

[@derekewing9669]

Matt’s view on life is so disturbingly sad. He believes absolutely everything in his life experiences has proven NOTHING that God doesn’t exist. After all we have seen, you’re still blind?? Both of them need to know Jesus and I pray God shows himself to them in these last days.

[@triplej8666]

Nah, hes just realistic and doesn't believe in imaginary fairytale sky gods. He believes in facutal science and history

[@Andy-i3i]

It’s a way of thinking he’s derived from his own personal experiences and journey. If the non-belief in God is a sin and keeps people out of heaven isn’t that in of itself a grand flaw in religion? If a person who lives their entire life not believing in God but helping he less fortunate, bringing peace, joy, love and positivity into the world one thousand times over that of a person who merely believes in God, should they be cast aside and barred from entering heaven?

[@derekewing9669]

@ science and God go together more than you’ve been led to believe. It doesn’t disprove God. It proves God. Revelations is happening all around you and you still don’t know?? Don’t make me laugh at the “realistic” view. It’s so contradictory. I couldn’t NOT believe in God if I wanted to. I’ve already experienced truth.

[@dobleru]

If science proves God then why hasn't it been.... Proven? Science is exact, objective, where the same parameters deliver the same results. A man giving up alcoholism after surrendering in a church doesn't prove God, it proves the power of mind over body. There's no proof of God. Especially not an all powerful, all encompassing entity that gives YOU Derek the joys of life but fucks over the rape victims of UK, or the atrocities committed during the Gaza cleansing or the poor victims of the California wildfires. He cannot be All Good without being All Evil as well. Anywho, until it's proven he exists, he doesn't. Period. ​@@derekewing9669

[@-Bishop-]

​@@triplej8666 But what if you, and others with similar views, are wrong? If you really think about it, it's a bit of a scary thing. All I'm trying to say is: the chance of eternal life, or eternal suffering, is not 0%. The chance of having a loving relationship with God is also not impossible.

[@korn6668]

Wasnt mr shadows going bald 10 years ago, now he has the greatest hair ive seen lol wtf

[@IAMTHESENATE6629]

There is way too much talking about NOTHING. Try to do a real interview.

[@mitchplaysriffs]

What types of topics would have been of substance in your opinion?

[@Asyl9]

Dude, the title doesn't even say it is an interview lol

[@Britt18ify]

These are more of conversations between artists.

[@shanleecaulfield7064]

It's not really an interview. It's a conversation between friends which is what it's supposed to be. Honestly I prefer it this way.