M. Shadows

Last updated

M. Shadows
Avenged Sevenfold (32509055635).jpg
Shadows performing with Avenged Sevenfold in 2017
Background information
Birth nameMatthew Charles Sanders
Born (1981-07-31) July 31, 1981 (age 42)
Fountain Valley, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1999–present
Member of Avenged Sevenfold
Formerly ofSuccessful Failure
Spouse
Valary DiBenedetto
​
(m. 2009)​
Children2
Relatives

Matthew Charles Sanders (born July 31, 1981), known by his stage name M. Shadows, is an American singer and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist and a founding member of heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. In 2017, Shadows was voted third in the list of Top 25 Greatest Modern Frontmen by Ultimate Guitar. [1]

Contents

Early life

M. Shadows was born on July 31, 1981, in Fountain Valley, California, and raised in Huntington Beach, California. [2] He is of Irish and Italian descent. He was raised Roman Catholic. His sister is former WNBA player Amy Sanders, who is two years younger than him. [3] His interest in rock was from listening to bands like Guns N' Roses earlier in life after his father gave him his first cassette, and his interest in heavy metal music grew as he became older and began to play the guitar. He links his early musical experience with the piano as a major factor in developing his skills with the guitar and his voice. He attended Huntington Beach High School, where he played for a brief stint in a punk band named "Successful Failure". [4] Following this, Shadows formed Avenged Sevenfold in 1999 along with middle school friends Zacky Vengeance, The Rev, and Matt Wendt. [5]

Stage name

Shadows, like the other members of Avenged Sevenfold other than Brooks Wackerman, uses a stage name. In an interview, Shadows says that he chose his stage name because he thought of himself as "the darker character in the group". The 'M' is in place of his first name, Matthew, which he did not want to be in his stage name because of the way it sounded. He also added that he and the band took stage names because many other successful musicians that they were influenced by had them (e.g. Slash of Guns N' Roses, Munky of Korn and the members of Slipknot). Shadows also mentioned in another interview their reasoning behind choosing stage names also came from their intention to "piss people off". [6]

Vocal style

Shadows performing at the Nova Rock Festival in June 2014 20140615-146-Nova Rock 2014-Avenged Sevenfold-M Shadows.JPG
Shadows performing at the Nova Rock Festival in June 2014

Shadows possesses a baritone voice but is able to sing comfortably in the tenor range, hitting high C on a regular basis. His vocal range spans nearly four octaves, from D 2, [7] and reaching up to A 5 [7] - Shadows' highest recorded note to date. His vocal style has evolved significantly over the years. On the band's first full-length record, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet , he featured harsh, metalcore-style growls with limited instances of clean vocals. The release of Waking the Fallen in 2003 demonstrated his progression towards melodic vocal lines, but still retained a strong screaming influence. However, the most significant change came with the release of the band's major label debut, City of Evil , in 2005, which featured minimal background screaming, stronger vocal melodies, and increased emphasis on harmonies and melodic hooks. Shadows turned to Ron Anderson, a vocal coach who had previously worked with Axl Rose and Chris Cornell. [8]

Shadows was specifically looking to add a more gritty, raspy tone to his voice and worked with Anderson for several months on this before City of Evil was recorded. [8] This change resulted in newly established vocal contributions from each band member during live performances, and remained prevalent on every record the band has released since 2005.

Rumors were spread that Shadows had lost his ability to scream due to throat surgery needed after Warped Tour 2003. However, producer Andrew Murdock put down these rumors by saying: "When I met the band after Sounding the Seventh Trumpet… Matt handed me the CD, and he said to me, 'This record's screaming. The record we want to make is going to be half-screaming and half-singing. I don't want to scream anymore… the record after that is going to be all singing.'"

During an interview with Stevie Rennie on October 28, 2014, Shadows mentioned he had intentionally changed his voice to become less raspy and distorted while touring in 2014. The change was due to longer live shows lasting from one and a half to two hours in support of Hail to the King. Shadows went on to say that "you better be taking care of yourself or you're gonna be cancelling shows" and "I wanted to hit notes over the rasps". [9]

Other projects

Shadows in August 2007 M. Shadow.jpg
Shadows in August 2007

Shadows has made guest appearances on numerous albums by various artists. He is featured on Steel Panther's 2009 album Feel the Steel and sings a verse of "Turn out the Lights". He also produced The Confession's 2007 album, Requiem , which, according to an interview, M. Shadows was one of the first steps which led to Avenged Sevenfold self-producing their 2007 self-titled album. [10] He also sings in "The River" by Good Charlotte on the album Good Morning Revival along with fellow band member Synyster Gates with his guitar solo. The April 2013 release of Device's self-titled album featured Shadows vocals throughout track 9, "Haze". He also sang "Nothing to Say" in Slash's self-titled solo album, as well as "Go Alone" in Hell or Highwater's debut album. He was also featured on Fozzy's album Sin and Bones singing alongside Chris Jericho in the song "Sandpaper".

Shadows has also been longtime friends with David Vonderhaar of Treyarch, the developers of the Call of Duty: Black Ops video game series, for which Avenged Sevenfold have created four original songs. In 2012, Shadows and Synyster Gates made a brief cameo in Call of Duty: Black Ops II in which they provided the voice over and motion capture of themselves. Also, in June 2013, Shadows competed in the sold out 128-team Call of Duty bracket at MLG Anaheim, placing in the Top 48. In July 2019, Shadows was added as a playable character in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 's "Blackout" battle royale mode. [11]

Personal life

Shadows married Valary DiBenedetto on October 17, 2009. The couple have two sons, River who was born in 2012 and Cash, born in 2014. Shadows' bandmate Synyster Gates is married to DiBenedetto's twin sister Michelle DiBenedetto, making the two brothers-in-law. [12]

In June 2020, during the George Floyd protests, Shadows published an op-ed piece for Revolver announcing his support for the Black Lives Matter movement. In it, he urged both the rock and metal communities to "reach out and show the compassion that I know is in us all to help raise up our fellow humans". He was especially motivated to write the piece due to the lack of African Americans in the Avenged Sevenfold fanbase. [13]

His favorite artists include Guns N' Roses, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Bad Religion, Pennywise, NOFX, [14] At the Gates, Dream Theater, Helloween, Iron Maiden, Korn, Megadeth, Metallica, Pantera, Queensrÿche, System of a Down, [15] Mr. Bungle, [16] H2O, [17] Rancid, [18] Disembodied, and Knocked Loose. [19]

In March 2022, M. Shadows and Disturbed frontman David Draiman criticized the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act bill quoted, "As a parent of a 7 and 9 year old they have asked about sex and used the word 'gay' in derogatory fashion. Kids are aware at this age so I feel the quicker we explain and show empathy for all people the better… including in school. (I read the full bill.)". [20]

Discography

With Avenged Sevenfold

Guest appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avenged Sevenfold</span> American heavy metal band

Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1999. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist M. Shadows, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, bassist Johnny Christ, and drummer Brooks Wackerman.

<i>Sounding the Seventh Trumpet</i> 2001 studio album by Avenged Sevenfold

Sounding the Seventh Trumpet is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on July 24, 2001, through Good Life Recordings. The album was reissued on March 19, 2002, through Hopeless Records, featuring a slightly different cover art. Although the album only sold 300 copies in its first week of release, it has sold 370,000 copies worldwide, with 310,000 sold in the United States, as of November 2010.

<i>Warmness on the Soul</i> 2001 EP by Avenged Sevenfold

Warmness on the Soul is the first EP by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It was released on April 10, 2001, through Good Life Recordings. The release features the video for the title track "Warmness on the Soul" as an enhanced CD bonus. It is the band's first release to feature guitarist Synyster Gates, who joined the band in February 2001. All of the songs were later included on Avenged Sevenfold's debut album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, except for the heavy metal version of "To End the Rapture", which was featured on the album's re-release.

<i>Waking the Fallen</i> 2003 studio album by Avenged Sevenfold

Waking the Fallen is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on August 26, 2003, through Hopeless Records. It is the band's first full-length album with new lead guitarist Synyster Gates and bassist Johnny Christ.

<i>City of Evil</i> 2005 studio album by Avenged Sevenfold

City of Evil is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on June 6, 2005, through Warner Bros. and Hopeless Records. Co-produced by Andrew Murdock, City of Evil contains a more traditional heavy metal and hard rock sound than Avenged Sevenfold's previous two albums, which showcased a predominantly metalcore sound. The album title is derived from a lyric in the song, "Beast and the Harlot". The album is notable for the absence of fry vocals. M. Shadows worked for months before the album's release with vocal coach Ron Anderson, whose clients have included Axl Rose and Chris Cornell, to achieve a sound that had "grit while still having the tone". In order to increase stamina and strength on the pedals, The Rev would sit for hours practicing until he could get up to 210 beats per minute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Synyster Gates</span> American guitarist

Brian Elwin Haner Jr., better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn, is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist of heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. He ranks No. 9 on Guitar World's best metal guitarists of all time. Gates was voted as Best Metal Guitarist in the World by Total Guitar in 2016 and once again in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rev</span> American musician (1981–2009)

James Owen Sullivan, also known by his stage name The Rev, was an American musician, best known as a founding member of the heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, where he played drums, piano and provided backing and co-lead vocals. He was also the lead vocalist/pianist in the avant-garde metal band Pinkly Smooth and drummer for the ska punk band Suburban Legends from 1998 to 1999.

<i>Avenged Sevenfold</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on October 30, 2007, through Warner Bros. and Hopeless Records. Recorded in the middle of 2007, it is the band's first studio album to be solely self-produced. It is also their final studio album to feature The Rev performing on drums before his death during production of their follow-up album, Nightmare (2010). Originally slated for an October 16 release, it was delayed by two weeks in order to provide more time to complete bonus material and production for the record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afterlife (Avenged Sevenfold song)</span> 2008 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Afterlife" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The song is released as the third single from their self-titled album. The song itself features a string orchestra and was written by the band's drummer, The Rev. The single and music video were released in early 2008. The song is one of the band's most performed live, and is a fan favorite. The song was included in the second Track Pack DLC released for Rock Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scream (Avenged Sevenfold song)</span> 2008 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Scream" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It was released as the fifth and final single from their self-titled fourth studio album. The song reached number nine on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart and number 26 on the U.S. Alternative chart.

The Avenged Sevenfold Tour was a concert tour by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold between 2007 and 2009, promoting their album Avenged Sevenfold. It was the band's last tour with the drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan who died on December 28, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Far Away (Avenged Sevenfold song)</span> 2011 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"So Far Away" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released as the third single for their fifth studio album, Nightmare. The single was released on April 5, 2011, via Warner Records. The song is a tribute to the band's original drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, who died in his sleep on December 28, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not Ready to Die</span> 2011 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Not Ready to Die" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It was created specifically for the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010), appearing as an easter egg in the game's "Call of the Dead" Zombies map. The song, along with the 3 other originals the band wrote for the Black Ops series, was later released on the Black Reign EP in 2018.

"A Little Piece of Heaven" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It is the ninth song from their self-titled fourth album. Though not released as a single, the song is one of the band's most popular. In December 2007, the song received an animated music video. The song was written by the band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and features him on dueling lead vocals with M. Shadows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buried Alive (Avenged Sevenfold song)</span> 2011 promotional single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Buried Alive" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, off the band's fifth studio album Nightmare. The song was released as the albums fourth and final single on September 20, 2011. The music of the song was mostly written by the band's late drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, who died on December 28, 2009. Singer M. Shadows has stated he is extremely proud of the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carry On (Avenged Sevenfold song)</span> 2012 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Carry On" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The song was released on iTunes on September 24, 2012.

<i>Hail to the King</i> (Avenged Sevenfold album) 2013 studio album by Avenged Sevenfold

Hail to the King is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on August 23, 2013, through Warner Bros. Records. The album was produced by Mike Elizondo. Hail to the King is the only Avenged Sevenfold album to feature drummer Arin Ilejay, prior to his departure in July 2015. It is also the first Avenged Sevenfold album without musical contributions from Ilejay's late predecessor, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan; the bonus track, "St. James", was written in his memory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shepherd of Fire</span> 2013 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Shepherd of Fire" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. Released on November 7, 2013, it is the second single from the sixth studio album Hail to the King. The single was a No. 1 single on the US Mainstream Rock charts, their third single to do so.

<i>Black Reign</i> (EP) 2018 EP by Avenged Sevenfold

Black Reign is the second EP by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on September 21, 2018, through Warner Bros. Records. It is a compilation of all their original songs created for the Call of Duty: Black Ops series from 2011 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mad Hatter (Avenged Sevenfold song)</span> 2018 single by Avenged Sevenfold

"Mad Hatter" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released as the lead single from the EP Black Reign on September 17, 2018. It was made specifically for the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018), appearing as an easter egg in the game's "IX" Zombies map. It was the band's first original song since the release of "Dose", a bonus track on The Stage, and the last until "Nobody" in 2023.

References

  1. ↑ "Friday Top: 25 Greatest Modern Frontmen". ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  2. ↑ Loudwire (July 11, 2018), Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?, archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved July 11, 2018
  3. ↑ "Avenged Sevenfold's Eternal Soldiers™ - M. Shadows". Archived from the original on April 25, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Here are all the bands that every member of Avenged Sevenfold were in before Avenged Sevenfold". Loudersound. April 24, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Avenged Sevenfold Are Auctioning Off An Early Bass Guitar Used On Their First Demo". Kerrang. September 10, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2022. he original line up consisted of Zacky V, The Rev, M. Shadows and Matt Wendt. Matt played with us for a couple of years before deciding to head off to college.
  6. ↑ "Avenged Sevenfold: Why We All Decided to Have Stage Names".
  7. 1 2 "M. Shadows: Vocal profile - Higher notes - Lower notes". The Range Planet. November 28, 2020. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Avenged Sevenfold Feature Interview". Blistering. 2006. Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  9. ↑ Steve Rennie (October 28, 2014). "M Shadows, Avenged Sevenfold Singer - Renman LIVE #098". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2018– via YouTube.
  10. ↑ "M. Shadows". Avenged Sevenfold Forever. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  11. ↑ "M. Shadows Announced As Playable Character In Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 - Operation Apocalypse Z. - Avenged Sevenfold". avengedsevenfold.com.
  12. ↑ "Avenged Sevenfold" – via PressReader.
  13. ↑ Sanders, Matthew (June 3, 2020). "Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows: Why I stand with the 'Black Lives Matter' movement". Revolver . Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows: 10 Songs That Made Me". Revolver. April 2, 2018. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows: My 10 Favorite Metal Albums". Rolling Stone. July 10, 2017. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  16. ↑ "A7X's M. Shadows: How I Went From Hating to Loving Mr. Bungle's 'California'". Revolver. July 12, 2019. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  17. ↑ @shadows_eth (February 7, 2022). "I got to sit down with one of my childhood idols a couple weeks ago and talk about web3, early hardcore days, dmt, social issues, family and everything in between. Disclaimer, I've had a @h2obandofficial tattoo since I was 14. Thanks @tobymorse" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2023– via Twitter.
  18. ↑ "'Sounding the Seventh Trumpet': Avenged Sevenfold Look Back on Early Days, First Album". Revolver. January 31, 2020. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  19. ↑ @shadows_eth (February 13, 2023). "Right now its @knockedloose because one of my fav bands is Disembodied. This sounds like a modern version of that IMO" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023– via Twitter.
  20. ↑ "David Draiman and M. Shadows Speak Out Against Florida's 'Don't Say Gay Bill'". Loudwire. March 12, 2022.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to M. Shadows at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.