M Shadows on how fans hated "Hail To The King"

[@whowastheoneguy4719]

The song Coming Home off that album is incredible

[@nikomak99]

Facts my favorite song off it easy

[@A_Little_Piece_Of_Music]

Agreed, St James was also stellar

[@nikomak99]

@grillby3001 that too, those songs felt like their order stuff kinda like the white album

[@NC-cf7kl]

Song is literally one of the best songs ever made. I wish it was played live just once

[@99bimmer]

Its very Iron Maiden

[@davo69ful]

I haven't really liked their last couple albums but I respect the shit out of them for putting their hearts and souls into all their albums and making what THEY want to make. And for that they will forever and always be my favorite band.

[@gavinmaple4696]

I loved HTTK just as much as all of the other albums. Keeping things fresh goes a long way

[@TheMetal213]

Couldn’t have been hated that much, it debuted at #1 on Billboard

[@realsgtstupid]

So did St. Anger...

[@SamBrockmann]

That just means that people were willing to buy it, not that they loved it after buying it.

[@jorch6169]

People loved it, A7X fans hated it. You know, metalheads ruined metal

[@SamBrockmann]

@@jorch6169 , if the state of modern pop music is anything to go by, "people" have horrible taste.

[@CrazyRaiderRad]

I love it!

[@FludShine]

I remember when Hail to the king came out, my lord how some fans missed the point. Hail to the king is the most overlooked album they have even created. Also the people that say they ripped off the black album was the greatest face palm I have ever had to slap on my big ass forehead. Love syns and zakks guitar playing, slow tempo with aggressive riffs and solos.

[@BobkaDxD]

People that say they ripped off the black album basically have no idea about writing music in general.

[@ddawg3974]

I mean sad but true and this means war are obviously the same song. The rest though, it was inspired by many 80's metal albums. But HTTK is not underrated at all, it's their best elling album.

[@rebelmetal4233]

@@ddawg3974 Its kinda not the same song...same tempo, but thats about it.

[@Jarle1510]

@@ddawg3974 They said Hail to the king was metallica inspired though

[@neighborbruce]

​@Fluff Are we gonna pretend that This Means War doesn't sound strikingly similar to Sad But True though? The structure of the intro into the main riff is exactly the same. Just with different riffs. Not that there's anything wrong with taking inspiration, but they are very similar!

[@jweezy15able]

It think the White/Self Title album set the tone for what to expect from A7X. It's all over the place, yet it all works. The only departure was Nightmare, but it was a tribute so I don't hold that against them. It's like my 1st time listening to VOLA or Alice in Chains albums: I won't understand or like it on 1st listen, but after a few more I understand what's going on and either end up appreciating a few songs or liking the whole album. I fully agree with Shadows on expecting something different from certain bands. Looking forward to the full album in a few months.

[@calumgardner6936]

This is why I’ve gotten super into Avenged over the last few years because they’ve gone through a proper evolution musically whilst still maintaining a clearly recognisable style, and to me Hail To The King is just one prime example of that

[@nickvaladao9247]

Hail to the king is my favorite A7X album. Maybe because it’s more my type of metal. Coming Home is my most played A7X song. I feel a personal connection to it.

[@someeuropeanguy7378]

Not sure if I would call HTTK a metal record

[@Ranger.TomGunna]

@@someeuropeanguy7378 yeah its more hard rock 80s hair band type of record.. there is a couple metal songs on there though lol

[@someeuropeanguy7378]

@@Ranger.TomGunna Lyrics on that album rocks my socks. I do keep Planets and Acid Rain on a pedestal

[@scoopskiii]

@@Ranger.TomGunna it’s not a hair metal record at all

[@WTFisHappeningToMe]

@@someeuropeanguy7378 that album IS heavy metal it was literally inspired by the Black album. Metal fans are stupid

[@fozzgeorge]

Wasn’t a fan of hail to the king when it first released, but 9 years later when I revisited it, I loved it. Pretty cool how tastes change and mature over time

[@wickeywaanzla3015]

Been on that same path this month. It's a legit tribute to the Gods of Rock; with The Stage and LIBAD being master art pieces, i can accept HTTK now. Properly fits in the discography.

[@chrisharris7819]

Coming home off the album is in the top 10 best songs they've ever made.

[@blazeofglory450]

dude i saw them on the HTTK tour in Baltimore, to this day hands down greatest show ive ever seen, the setlist, the production and the performances just blew away anything else ive seen live. It’s probably the only PERFECT show in my opinion ive ever seen.

[@claytonvines4528]

I loved Hail to the King. "Planets" is one of my all time favorite tracks!!! I appreciate the band more for always willing to push their own limits

[@ahmetakgun842]

Are you trolling? Planets?

[@coleboard8510]

@@ahmetakgun842 Planets is sick lol

[@ahmetakgun842]

@@coleboard8510 PLANEEEEEETTTSSS COOOOOOLLLLLLIIIIIIDEEEEEEE

[@podrickfookinpayne2329]

Hail to the King has some of the catchiest rock songs I've ever heard, and it's a great album to get new fans that aren't very comfortable with the more typical AX7 sound at first.

[@323johnnybravo]

The way they evolve and change their sound from album to album reminds me of Brand New. Each album is its new story, sound. I’m here for it.

[@perryborn2777]

I love that they're always changing shit up And since everyone else is throwing their's in, my favorite album of their's is City of Evil, and my favorite song off it is Sidewinder

[@dfsalvy]

Hail to The King is such a great album. I love that album from start to finish I didn't know there was some people who hated it.

[@accuratealloys]

My band played Hail To The King. We liked it because of the guitar parts mainly.

[@jkrunch2166]

I didn't hate it... it was just a super safe album after a career of trying crazy shit, regardless of whether or not it landed. But it still has some strong songs.

[@mark7166]

I never understood the hate. I think it’s just as good as any of the others. Some of my favorite songs of theirs are on that album.

[@jeffkolln5291]

I liked this album, good stuff. I never really got into The Stage, which is the only one I never took to.

[@justinsajec1196]

i know a lot of fans hated hail to the king. but man did a lot of, at least the fans i personally know really hate the stage. and for me, for a few years the stage didnt have the staying power as the rest of their music. but, a few months ago i gave that album a listen all the way through and it certainly holds up. honestly it hits even harder with things like AI really becoming reality. but the solos, matts different vocal style, brooks' drumming and the overall tone shift add up to such a good album. anyone who hasnt listened to it in a while should

[@michaelguernsey1206]

Yea man the stage is now my personal favorite. I think it is a masterpiece. I was the same. I listened to it and was like, “eh. It’s not their best work” but now I see it for the creativity and the personality and ambition and it delivers on that ambition. I love it as a concept album. What it is trying to say is so thought provoking and cool. The use of synthesizers is so cool and well done and adds a really grand flamboyant “carnival stage” feel to the whole album and it’s wrapped up very nicely in “Exist”. The limited edition has my favorite track “Retrovertigo” which was a cover by one of their big inspirations Mr. Bungle. I love this album so fucking much.

[@Hiker2110]

HTTK isn't my favorite A7X album, but I still liked it. The Stage and the self-titled albums are my favorites. Acid Rain is one of my all time favorite A7X songs. Shadows's vocals on that track are incredible.

[@WebofShadows19]

It's one of my favorites by them!

[@heathbates9561]

Honestly, the only 2 records of theirs I didn't care for were the White Album and The Stage. Waking the Fallen, City of Evil, Nightmare, and HTTK were all excellent . 7th Trumpet was noteworthy

[@thevidsgroup576]

I’ve been an a7x fan for years, I was raised on the self titled album, the nightmare album, city of evil, hell I even enjoyed Waken the fallen back in the day. When hail to the king came out the only song I liked was shepherd of fire because it was on cod zombies, but after a few listens throughout my childhood I learned what the band was really about. Diversity and change, because a7x was a screamo band at one point. They’ve always evolved and changed their sound which is something I’ve come to respect and like about this band. I’m going to a concert soon, can’t wait to see them live!

[@matttipton6009]

I really hated Hail at first, but that damn song grew on me to the point that I love it now. It just felt like watered down music, but it’s so catchy and I just embraced that they’re doing something a little different and it’s a fun song. That said I think Planets is a criminally forgotten song off that album!!!

[@NUKE_DUKEM777]

There's plenty of bands that make the same sounding records and they're all fantastic. Killswitch Engage, Breaking Benjamin, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, Lamb of God, Sevendust etc. And there's bands like A7X, BMTH, TDWP, Slipknot, Linkin Park that change shit up every once in a while and it's still fucking good. Point is there's a place in music for both worlds

[@krinkles147]

seeing august burns red and killswitch engage mentioned anywhere just makes me smile for whatever reason

[@Brya-zh6xf]

I simply love his attitude and his mindset. It resonates deeply with who I am. Now I understand why im fallin in love with them more and more. I like war too. I want to destroy and rebuilt mixing the pieces everytime

[@MrHobocopter]

I wanna give props to Finn. For a long time, and to an extent I still feel this way, I thought he was kinda lame. That he had alot of takes and opinions that I really didn't agree with. However, as time went on, I came to see that not only did that not matter at all, but that he takes it on the chin really well. Not only that, he understands where people are coming from with their takes, and that's why he's so good at interviewing artists. When M Shadows was talking about how artists will tend to put themselves in a box to appease their fans, and how that's really cheating them, of course I agreed with that. However, when Finn said "Artists tend to be insecure and seek validation through their fans." you could tell he's talked to some people who have had that experience. He's not trying to validate that inhibition per se, nor is he really pushing back on what M. was saying, but it was bridging the gap in understanding, which is really what communication is about. Again, loved this interview, keep it up Finn!

[@prmbapodcast]

Thank you!

[@seanfrauley4572]

Hail to the king was a great album in my opinion but maybe it was because when it came out me and my grandfather did under the table jobs for people and listened to that album all the time in his truck on the way to jobs whenever I hear a song from that album it makes me think of those good times ❤😎

[@Butterpants1987]

god damn matt said that well and completely embodied the roots of what orange county hardcore is all about. honest. fuckin love it.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

1:00 You have to be VERY careful with this kind of thinking. Here's a warning story, a long time ago my favorite internet company used to be Rooster Teeth, I liked their videos a lot. But then they slowly started to change and said, "If you don't like it, don't watch." So that's what happened: people, (including me and all my friends) stopped watching, and then they had to lay off like half of the company. I'd just say be careful what you wish for especially when alienating those who got you where you are.

[@666Metalholic]

My favorite album use to be Nightmare. But now it's The Stage. I am pretty excited for their new album though 🌌

[@Dracula_sb]

M. Shadows gets it, and I've said this many times, you can love a band and not like/love everything they make.

[@cadian122]

It was a great album and I appreciated the pro liberty vibe of the album

[@brewcitymike1]

I haven't ever listened to them ever. I remember when Bat Country came out and I wasn't feeling it so i never really paid attention to them after that. I know HTTK but thats it. As far as I was concerned they were still the same band from Bat Country, lol. I will admit that I was always surprised how big they got given Bat Country was their jumping off point. I might have to give their later stuf a listen to see what the hype is about.

[@jacob6163]

the back half of httk like crimson day to on is some of the most underrated stuff they’ve released

[@Derr1ck_yt]

Bruh the debut on what is probably the best cod zombies map ever created was a master class marketing move

[@theoneandonly3283]

Well I enjoyed it personally it was the last one that I wasn't too into but that's ok. I saw them live in SLC 2017 and they were great. Really funny moments and the music was on fire.

[@ThrillHouse666]

I absolutely LOVED Hail to the King when it was released!! Sure not every song is a banger but the ones that were?? Requiem, Shepherd of Fire, Hail to the King, Planets, Acid Rain! It was a clear homage to the people that inspired them and for some reason that's a no-no in metal. Love the genre, hate the fans. I'd rather talk about my love for J-Coles music (not a rip on Cole, I genuinely enjoy his music) than have a conversation with another metal head.

[@dropkickpherby6994]

Metal is amazing. Metal fans, are not.

[@littlea420]

@@dropkickpherby6994 so true

[@HeyIntegrity]

Hip hop fans are extremely even more boring to talk to

[@blyndsyde14]

Hail To The King was amazing!

[@stevielavietv8957]

That album is how I got into you guys. The album is brilliant

[@echo_94]

Was good, wasn’t thrilled about it when it first came out but it grew on me. Definitely awesome song in concert. The album itself is great imo

[@dezloeppky]

I absolutely love all of A7X and hail to the king (the album) is criminally underrated in my opinion.

[@toocold3692]

I wasn't a fan of Hail to the King, but I agree that it didn't deserve as much hate as it got for what it was. I think for me, part of the issue was overexposure. Hail to the King was EVERYWHERE for a while. Like, it was every fifth song on every metal station in my hometown. Couple that with the fact that I was really lukewarm on the album to begin with, and I won't lie it started to really annoy me.

[@jastrology4192]

Weirdly I think the key to them making a genuinely classic album is based off the hail to the king format where it’s a bit more stripped back and groove oriented

[@thiagoaugusto9262]

I love this album, the best one in my opinion is Crimson Day, I love this song

[@stan_meow3778]

I love HTTK. I love all their albums and it’s hard for me to put it on a tier list since I think they are all great and have equally as many bangers as the next. They are all different but still sound like A7X. Crimson Day and Acid Rain brings a tear to my eye to this day. I am super stoked for the new album!!

[@mobafan3713]

I did a list already 8: Hail to the king 7 Life is but a dream... 6: Sounding the seven trumpet 5: The Stage 4: City of evil 3: Self titled 2: Waking the fallen 1: Nightmare Many will argue that The Stage deserves to be higher or that HTTK is too low, or why STST is not the last, but tbh I rank them based in songs by themselves abd most importantly how well they're pit together as an album. For example COE feels like more of a playlist rather than album, but Waking the fallen for example is like a very very long song! The first times I didn't even realise when new song started! And about The Stage...I like all songs, but I don't feel the synergy that much and lastly I must say that Nightmare is an absolute masterpiece! Banger after banger loads of feeling I can play it over and over and I will never get enough!!

[@SilkyMJohnson]

I absolutely loved hail to the king!!!!!!!!!

[@shockt9610]

I respect their efforts even if some songs I'm not a huge fan of.

[@cfh4201969]

Great song great album

[@newbeginning1510]

I loved that album

[@HennyBuBuProductions]

You’re a legend Mr. Shads

[@wickeywaanzla3015]

HTTK was like trying to be happy about a card on Christmas. Heretic, Crimson Day, Acid Rain, and Requiem are legendary pieces though.

[@Justabigbeaver]

Yo a combination of nightmare and self titled would go so hard tho

[@madguitar1086]

It’s their Black Album.

[@MrWessel007]

Fucking loved it!

[@ReedOnTV]

One of the few bands I love every single song

[@vengefulkitsune3307]

Yeah I remember when the stage singel released the first comment I saw was about the drumming. The comment was along the lines of "they aren't pussy drum beats like the last album ". I get what Matt's saying I feel like that with Breaking Benjamin . I like how thrice evolved. See yall on OCT 12. 🤘🤘🤘

[@deadbod9306]

Funny thing , Hail to the king actually got my dad into A7X and now his favorite album of theirs is Nightmare haha.

[@rugganuggatv2916]

At what part, did the frontman mentioned how fans hated ‘Hail to the King’?

[@idofps9709]

I like the album personally, I like the style of singing, esp from Hail to The King

[@nickshepley2566]

Couldn’t tell that by the amount of covers on KZbin and the video’s views

[@jennajay7034]

Dude shadows grills were awesome af

[@dasenase]

I hated it until I listened to the whole thing, then I fell in love. It's a great album and homage to the black album.

[@JCVenomous]

Hail to the King 🖤

[@jddamn5750]

I liked it was different had old school metal vibes.

[@gunnerblaskey8864]

I love the song.... it is a perfect song....

[@qwwupp4763]

Man i loved that album the day it came out

[@stevenwoods5787]

i liked that album, although i can kinda understand how a certain type of person or fan, or long time fans wouldnt like it. after rev died they went thru alot trying to find a new sound, thats how it came off to me

[@JoseQuintero-wx7wk]

I love that song besides that I watched the Entire Vikings series

[@Chuckichanly]

i feel like matt is not only confortable in discomfort, he is attracted to it, and feels the urge to irritate people by doing something unexpected tbh, and its not a good thing listening to " Shadows on what to expect from Avenged Sevenfold's new album ("Life Is But A Dream")" i confirm this belief because he says he wants people to 'feel shocked, take it in' really thats the feeling you want to convey, how about enjoying the music?

[@SheilaSantosNaciment]

I got into A7X because of this song. 😊

[@yurikris_]

One of my top a7x song of the moment is from HTTK , Shepherd of Fire 🔥 ..it may not be my top album from them , but i think Hate is such a strong word. i love this group 'coz you know, some of our fave bands - yeah they still make awesome songs but it feels like we've heard it all before, but not with Avenged,there is always something new and unique.. anyway I cant wait for the new record!

[@mark7166]

Hell yeah, Shepherd of Fire kicks!

[@yurikris_]

@@mark7166 its amazing isnt it ❤️

[@TGNDxGamers]

My favorite album

[@stratonicc2651]

people took it as they were trying to make a completely new album with fresh ideas and they were trying to do smth new. most ppl didn’t understand it as it being a tribute album, making songs that were very similar sounding to some of their biggest influences

[@I_Am_The_Social_Reject]

I agree. I hate when bands play the same crap over and over. It's why I love bands like them, Atreyu, Bullet. And yes I usually end up distancing myself from most. But then you have the opposite effect. Like with Within Temptation. I grew out of symphonic metal. I've heard it all before. I love it to death but new songs in the genre doesn't impress me. Dark Sarah had some decent stuff. I stopped listening to Epica as much. But when Within Temptation made the Unforgiven album, it blew me away. It was so unique. Felt so fresh yet had as much passion. However, with Avenged Sevenfold, I yearn for the Waken the Fallen and City of Evil days. Maybe you can make something new but i want that edge back. That heaviness back. The Stage was cool at first, but after awhile I realized nothing on the record really impressed me. I stopped listening to the album early on. Hail to the King sounded like a mix of Pantera songs and Metallica and Iron Maiden. So nothing felt fresh. It was solid but got old super quick cause it was so familiar. I know it's next to impossible to live up to the level of being discovered for the first time. That magic is rare to achieve to veteran ears. You'll probably have to drastically change. But I'm almost completely sure if you did one more really fast and heavy while being alternative record like you did with albums 2 and 3, I'll go crazy over them. Plus y'all haven't really done it for so long.

[@joemcmurtrey1]

I loved some of it, didn't care for some of it. It was....A7X....so it was amazing no matter what ❤

[@Marta1Buck]

I never hate it, just enjoy it less than the others.

[@DakotaRoberts-wg6me]

I think the my favorite records hail to the King and nightmare one

[@robertlovesgothgirlz]

The best album is Waking the Fallen. I still listen to all the songs to this day. The other CDs are good to ok.

[@danielflynn8530]

The Album Hail to the King was pretty good. I think AVx7 is a great and absolutely the most talented band out there.

[@RubenLodewijkMusic]

It is one of the songs by A7X I actually really like.

[@healthiswealth1452]

Loved that song

[@Slimmy7]

Fan: *I want new music* Band: *here's some new stuff we haven't done before* Fan: *I miss the old [insert any creative musician]*

[@yanlanouette1787]

I love this album

[@masterweapon334]

Hail to the King had some corny/cheesy moments on it, like This Means War’s intro being sooo similar to Sad But True, but still a solid record.

[@giantturd5157]

It's similar if you know nothing about music

[@masterweapon334]

@@giantturd5157 lol okay

[@ncasale79]

Love that album

[@michaelgrotz5229]

Hail to the King is still one of my favorite A7X albums.

[@MXP250]

Hail to the King is my favorite

[@michaelguernsey1206]

I certainly don’t hate it, and it used to be my favorite. But as my taste in metal has deepened and evolved and just exploring more niche music, my love of this album has gone down some. I don’t think it is as creative as the rest of their albums, and it doesn’t have a lot of the impact as other albums. I think acid rain and crimson day are their worst calmer ballad songs. Planets and Requim are not very hard hitting either and are a bit too dramatic in the vocals. I don’t hate the album, I’d listen if it was on. And despite all this, Shepherd of fire is the song that got me into them in the first place (with Black ops 2 origins cutscene lol), and the actual track Hail to the King being one of the songs to actually get me to start listening to their albums. Those two tracks are fucking kick ass and are in my top ten favorites by them and pry top ten songs of all time. These two songs are where the “classic heavy metal” they were going for shines brightest. Overall though the rest of the tracks are alright, but not their best. It used to be my favorite album till I got super familiar with their work and what they were capable of before (partly due to the Rev. I wonder how it would have sounded with that legend.) and even after with the stage which is now my favorite album and by far their most ambitious and creative. I’d say waking the fallen, city of evil, self titled, and nightmare are all better than hail to the king.

[@mechanix6191]

It's funny hearing Matt talk about AI in this interview because not long after he revealed that the song "Nobody" was indeed AI created. At least I'm fairly certain that he hadn't divulged that information yet. 🤔 🧐

[@jamieA7Xfan90]

Musically & lyrically etc, HTTK was a pretty solid album

[@MayfWasHere]

I didn't hate it, hell Coming Home is one of my favorite A7x tracks, but I definitely didn't appreciate it for what it was at the time, and the title track being played on the radio every other song for a couple years straight didn't help Now that I see what they were going for, I appreciate that they did it, but imma still keep spinning Waking the Fallen instead

[@caffeholictj1708]

I dont hate the song and I NEVER hated it. Hail to the king is one of the best a7x songs I have heard and downloaded. I repeated the song many many times during my college days until now. I even liked the song more when it became a BGM on Triple H vs Roman Reigns' feud at WM32. I just dont understand why people hated it. But I guess its their opinion.

[@josephgray1999]

Need more strong minded individuals like Matt and the guys in Avenged imo

[@moumenrezaei1330]

Man...that album was my absolute favorite. The title track was verrrry "Iron-Maiden"ish

[@CaptainRedbeard.]

I fucking rocked out to HTTK for years!!! 😅

[@HAVOCRISING_]

This album was great!

[@xxLonniExx]

What the fans should always remember is that they're signed to major record label so every changes they made should be more appealing to mainstream audiences. They're not an undergraound metal band anymore, can't stay as heavy all the time.