THE ANNOUNCEMENT
Avenged Sevenfold bought back the masters to *The Stage* from Capitol Records and walked away from Warner after 26 years *. They’re fully independent now — no label overhead, no corporate interference, and full control over an album that tackled AI and simulation theory back in 2016 when most bands were still writing breakup songs *. The timing matters: *The Stage* turns ten this year, and the themes hit harder in 2026 than they did at release *.
THE DETAILS
- Purchased master recordings and rights to *The Stage*, *The Stage Deluxe Edition*, and *Live At The Grammy Museum* from Capitol *†
- Completed their Warner deal with *Life Is But A Dream* in June 2023 *
- *The Stage Deluxe Edition* now includes a four-song Live From Capitol Records Rooftop performance *
- Warner sued the band for $5–10 million in late 2015 after they invoked California’s seven-year labor rule; legal fees hit $1.5 million by 2018 *
- Capitol surprise-released *The Stage* in October 2016 with a rooftop concert; it debuted at number four with 76,000 copies sold — their lowest first-week sales in eleven years *
WHY IT MATTERS
COMEBACK. M. Shadows said Warner stopped caring during *Hail To The King* — “everyone’s on their phone” at playbacks — and they’re the only band who released an album mid-litigation over that seven-year clause *. Buying back masters is rare for a metal band at this level, and doing it while the album’s themes about AI and simulation are more relevant than ever makes this more than a business move.