Why Avenged Sevenfold aren't dropping Ronnie Radke 

It’s nice to see a rockstar that doesn’t hate people with differing opinions. Respect.

What bothers me the most is seeing bands cave into the pressure of doing something just because some vocal minority wants them to. These vocal "fans" don't have any real power as all they can do is yell on Twitter and not attend the shows. It's the artists and the people backing these artists who give these kinds of people power and I'm honestly sick of it. I wish every artist had the same confidence that a7x has to do what they want to do and not care about what others think cause the reality is that real fans will support you even if they don't agree with everything you say or do.

This is why I love avenged sevenfold. They aren’t letting this culture war divide their fans. A7x forever.

I fully support m shadows, been listening to both a7x and fir for years now and love them both. Keep going and making great music!

Dude. When Shads said "We all want the same things, we just have a different way of thinking we need to go about it." I've literally been saying this for years in regards to the political divide and identity politics. Nobody ever mentions this. People only see the difference in each other, never the similarities. If we spent more time focusing on the the things we have in common with others rather that the differences, by nature we would have more rapport with people we may disagree with and we would, without question, make more progress in society. That shads is a wise man.

One of the biggest issues nowadays is that people can so easily find others that share the same opinion, they've become intolerant to those who don't share the same opinion. If you can't be friends with someone because they have a different opinion on something, then you are the problem, not them.

Love the respect Shadows give❤ I absolutely love Ronnie and his idgaf attitude! He is one of the most talented musicians I've ever heard and seen live and I can't wait to see these guys in NYC!

I went to their show last night in Georgia. Both M and Ronnie have evolved as musicians and human beings. They are both very passionate about what they do, and it definitely shows in their music and how they received us as fans. The bottom line is, if you pay to see these guys no matter how you feel about them, you will be loved and well received. The concert was absolutely packed with songs! And plenty of "thank you, everyone" in between. I've never been a long-time fan, but I felt like I belonged there, and I had an amazing time because of the effort they put into their show.

Thank you for facilitating these difficult kinds of conversations with hard topics. I’ve felt really uneasy in the heavy music world because I’m a Christian and I never know how to show people that all we have for each other is love and a common love for heavy music

So much respect for M Shadows after hearing this, having a back bone is becoming less and less common

Haven't been into A7X for their last few albums but i have so much respect for M Shadows

A7X is my all time favorite band. M is my favorite singer and Syn is my fave guitarist. Man does this make me love him and A7X even more. People have different opinions. Doesn’t make them a bad person. Love everyone and let everyone have their own opinion. We may disagree politically but doesn’t mean I don’t like you or don’t want to be around you.

we as a society need more people like matthew. hes chill and really sweet and most importantly has wise words and lets people like what they like and not judge other people. people like him really teach us a lesson

I’m not much of a AX7 fan but I always like conversations with Matt. He seems like a good dude and always has solid stuff to say.

Love this guy even more! Respect. And RR is still awesome despite the drama.

Ronnie won that defamation case, yes.

Spot on. Cancel culture will rot the music industry inside out. It’s a bunch of virtue signaling BS.

The people whining in the comments on every rock news outlet and making false claims is actually ridiculous. I was following everything throughout the years, and it’s evident that people simply want to believe negative things because judging people makes them feel like they have power. That’s why it’s important to ignore them and do what you think is best, because they don’t think at all.

I respect a7x for staying, I respect spiritbox for dropping out, I respect Ronnie for his ups and hold him accountable for his downs. It's not about sides or narrative, it's about doing what feels right to you and moving with compassion and understanding. 🤘

2:27 "When you start silencing people that's when you get BIG rebellions-" He couldn't be more right. I've heard this old adage, "When the talking stops, the fighting starts." Shad just said basically the exact same thing.

What a stand up guy! Much love and we need more people not afraid to hold their ground. 🤙🏽

People have become so sensitive and te social media herd mentality has killed individuality and free speech. I hate being part of this generation sometimes. Mad respect for M Shadows for telling it like it is.

Just gained more respect for Avenged Sevenfold

Respect to Matt here. I never really understood the Radke controversy. If anything, it gave the guy more respect for standing his ground on his own opinions.

Ronnie seems to be growing as a person, and I feel like the catalyst was his daughter. he still has the bite of a junkyard dog but uses it more defensively now than prior to his daughter when he seemed more prone to go on the offense.

Loved when M said Ronnie in the 90s would be axel. It's a fair point. Cry there's no more rockstars... Yet Shit on 2 of the few

The irony that those who chant equality and acceptance the loudest are the same people who will cancel you or commit violence against you for not agreeing with them completely. The world needs more Ronnies

Refreshing to see someone who stands ground vs twitter mob. Not fan of Ronnie, but still very level grounded take from Mr. M Shadows

This is your best interview ever, and master class at letting the rockstar do most of the talking!! Unlike other channels!! I can’t recommend people catch Ax7 and Falling on tour enough!! The Ax7 production your talking about has to be seen live to be appreciated!!! Why can’t metal have redemption stories like everyone else??? Thank You AX7 for having a pair!!

I’m glad I’m am seeing you both 9/25. I was never a “big fan”. Hell, I was barely a “fan”. Now I am paying to see you both. I can’t wait for your evolution. My husband is ravenous to see @fallinginreverse

I met Ronnie about I wanna say 3 1/2 years ago or should I say the full band of FIR but none the less I met Ronnie he's an actual nice guy he's actually kinda funny to but besides that I've always had respect for Matt but after this I even have more for him

If we tried to cancel every public figure who engaged in bad behavior we'd have nothing to entertain us. Appreciate this balanced answer from M

Much respect for this. Theres a reason people are being sheep herded into saying the "right" thing, when its actualy whats most popular to say during that time. They dont want to own a label like "racist", "transphobic", etc. I myself was a part of this group, there were times where i felt like i was walking on eggshells just asking questions. And i even thought i was doing the right thing because these people were on my side saying they dont support transphobia, etc. You have a respectful and nuanced discussion about trans people in sports and if you say anything thats not the designated right thing, youre automatically transphobic lol. So major kudos to matt and the team for not caving into this pressure that so many are, myself included at one point. Knowing who *you* are and standing up for yourself is invaluable. Dont let fear run your life 🤙

Shadows is such a fucking legend

Did Shadows bring up Guttermouth? Thats awesome! Dude definitely hated his mom lol

More respect to M.Shadows.🙌

This whole statement can only be backed by a strong ‘fuck yeah’! ❤

I love Avenged so much more now. fighting the good fight and keeping on a straight head about it.. Rock on!

Every time I think I can't respect this guy even more, there's a new interview with M.Shadows that makes me love him even more. I love that he's got his own opinion, but he'll still be open-minded about others having their own. It's honestly refreshing, especially with the crazy world we live in.

This guy is a individual and thinks for himself.. hell yeah

Matt and I don’t see eye-to-eye politically on many issues but I’ve always respected his honesty and intelligence, and this interview is a perfect example of how public discourse should be handled by everyone. Cancel-culture and woke culture is an absolute blight on our society that is uninformed and dangerous, particularly here in the States. I love Ronnie and FiR personally but I don’t agree in lock-step with everything he says or does either and that is perfectly fine. The idea of wanting him silenced simply because I may disagree with him from time to time is just abhorrent to me. As has been said many times, the more you try to shut someone up the more you demonstrate that you are afraid of what they have to say. Good on A7X for not giving into this totally un-American POV and supporting Ronnie despite the fact that it may be unappealing to so,e of their fans.

We in a country in Asia have a rock/alternative/pop band that have a vocalist/front man who involved in pornography scandals and then he went to jail for a couple of years (because porn are absolutely illegal in my country). He used to be one of the most famous and fans favorite vocalist with his band become one of the most successful band in the country with record breaking album. Personally I thought his career will end. He'll never come back after out from jail. But in reality he made an incredible come back with new album he wrote in prison. He and his band toured 2 continents and 5 countries in 24 hours after releasing their new album. And since then, he's still the most famous vocalist and their band won so many awards. Peoples sh*tty talk are just can't stop the man and the band.

Love Ronnie, love Matt, love A7X, love Escape the Fate and Falling in Reverse. People are stupid. Rock on 🤘🏼

Much respect to him for saying this!

Cutting off the balls of a genre .. truer words have never been uttered

GREAT INTERVIEW 💥

It's not that people don't like when people fight back, it's that these people have never been told "NO" their entire lives. They've been coddled and lead to believe that if they scream loud enough they'll always get what they want. Literally screaming in the streets. It's a culture, no, a generation, that lacks discipline and respect. I'm 46 and see it every day with new hires in I.T. We had one that didn't want to be told that they couldn't vape in the office. Actually started screaming and saying we were physically assaulting him with our words. Yeah, security dragged that little p.o.s. out real quick. Cancel culture is a product of modern generation's upbringing of "hands off" raising children. Not that you have to physically be hands on, but having no involvement with them whatsoever. Unruly little bastards that got whatever they want any time they cry. The real world doesn't work that way. But Twitter and Reddit aren't the real world. Are they?

If people like AX7 and can't stand Ronnie just go take a piss and get a beer and his band can look around and see if they want to keep him or not I've been to enough concerts at age 46 that your not going to love the entire lineup

Has Ronnie said and done some bad shit...Fuck yeah he has! Will Ronnie continue to say and do questionable things...most definitely! Is Ronnie a great frontman/song writer...absolutely! He's very talented but is problematic and driven by his ego 90% of the time. It's the age old problem of separating art from the artist, I guess, but I'll listen to his stuff.

Truer words have never been spoken. It feels like in this day and age freedom of speech is somehow a bad thing. Differing opinions is a bad thing. It's just sad to me, it's like we're not allowed to think for ourselves. Thanks M Shadows, love and respect this.

awesome conversation...I HATE that this is an issue but A7X handled it perfectly...

Not a fan of A7X but I like this man. Punk rock soull. 💕

M seems like such a solid dude…. Also love how natural his singing voice is. You can totally hear it’s the same voice he speaks with. Sucks when people create a crazy timbre to sing through that isn’t really them.

It seems Ronnie is nice to you if you're nice to him. If you're an asshole to him he'll be an asshole to you. Regardless of your orientation, ethnicity, gender identity etc. It's crazy that it's come to this.

As a 24yo Black Male... Ronnie is pretty awesome. I like that he does his own thing.

If Ronnie is free to express himself in any manner he wants, everyone else is allowed to do the same.

M. Shadows I'm so grateful that you are such a great role model I'm so thankful that I've been able to hold a good head on your shoulders Happy to hear him talking about this Communication is important

Very balanced and healthy mentality from M Shadows. We all have our opinions, and it's ok to go on tour with Ronnie just like it's ok if your band doesn't want to tour with him.

"The World is getting better" LMAO great interview tho

i dont really like ronnie radke’s personality or FIRs music. that being said, glad for Shadows for standing up to bullshit backlash over it

Shadows holding that mic like his a sports commentator lol

“Shh.. Quiet, you might piss somebody off”

It makes me feel a lot better knowing that so many artists see through this fake controversy bs.

He hit this issue on the head exactly. All the people complaining aren't buying tickets anyway. They're locked in their bedrooms with the internet attached to their umbilical cords. Money talks and bullshit walks.

It's easier to hate than to love. Love requires vulnerability, but hate is a natural feeling for everyone, and you don't have to risk yourself in the process. That's why everyone on the internet is so fast to hate, because it's easy and it makes you feel something.

I just got out the KiA forum and Ronnie is a freaking rockstar. I’ve never heard his music but holy crap dudes crazy good

Very reasonable

Most of the old Rockstars have lost that rebellious edge, lost themselves in an industry working as a cog in the machine, the same thing is happening to rappers as well.. money corrupts and taints pure artistry.

It's funny that the people who have a problem with Ronnie don't have a problem with A7X. Have they listened to the self titled album? 2 words: Critical Acclaim.

Very well said. The way you explained the hate bashing/jump on the bandwagon pandemic that courses not only through the entire music scene ....but the normal society of human beings as well was so REALIST AND SO SPOT ON. You approached it head on but with eloquence and entirety : all the while remaining in an unbiased neutral position. But the. Reason it resonated. To me was the GRIT OF HONESTY THAT YOUAYEX AS YOUR VERBAL COUNDATION. I respect all that you stated. Your musical craft has always been epic and of course what I'm about to say is so cliche....But if looks were considered a crime you would be locked up for eons upon eons just saying and as far as the music you have bless the world with ..."SO FAR AWAY ". IS BY FAR MY FAVORITE MASTERPIECE OF YOURS.

Preach king

What the hell ever happened to separating the art from the artist anyway? Some of my favorite bands of all time, I could not IMAGINE following their twitters..

I have been a very very long time fan of Avenged Sevenfold, and seeing this just makes me love them even more. Cancel culture is just a thing I can’t seem to wrap my head around. Exactly how hard is it to separate the artist from the art?

A7X can tour with FIR, I’m going to see Spiritbox with After the Burial and Intervals

as a gay man i LOVE Falling In Reverse they are awesome and people need to get off Ronnie's amd falling in reverse's nutz. Thank you m. shadows i have been a fan of avenged sevenfold since 08 and am glad that u still have balls much love and cant wait to hear the new album

"If you don't like him, don't show up." Yup! See you boys in NY 🖤

What ever happened to just enjoying the music bands put out? Wild.

M. Shadows speaking facts! The reason I got into heavy melodic music! Reasonable and senseable perspectives on what is happening in the modern world!

I mean there’s a video on Ronnie’s own RU-vid page that corroborates the entire story that started all this with him spraying and throwing a fire extinguisher on to a highway 🤷🏻

I love matt and followed these guys for years. This dudes voice is shot. It's insane he's still trying to keep it going. Mad respect but hope he's taking care of his voice

I played with A7x in like 02/03 (they weren’t cool but whatever) I always thought of M Shadows as way older and RR as waaaay younger. Wild

I don’t know Ronnie or his metal but I support him not bending the knee

I saw avenged at warped tour old bridge NJ. I am still obsessed with m. Shadows

Matt is right we got to have opinions but not hate we must have opinions and if we don't like things we just ignore it and just let them be

I'm a 60 yr old woman who loves Ronnie Radke ❤❤❤ and A7X

I love honesty no matter what it is. Everyone needs to stand up for what they believe in. I love Ronnie

Loved this answer. Whether you like Ronnie or not, goin against what you believe in over outrage culture

What a great interview, hope this package will come to Europe as well.

NIGHTMARE!!!!!!

that's why music today is not as creative as before they follow a format where they are playing safe to please this new culture where u can't do this because u are a metal or u can't do that because there are genres and where u are judged by something u did like you can't even be back as a better person.

It’s ironic though that Ronnie has no problem blocking people when people call him out for threatening and bullying artists like Andy Cizek or Lauren Babic. If only people knew he doesn’t practice what he preaches and is a coward and hypocrite to his core.

Haters love to hate because it's the only thing they can love.

Hi. I’m a new fan and I would just like to add my support for Ronnie Radke. I admire his bluntness. Just look at him be famous. I’m sure there’s plenty of us that love him. My bluntness has gotten me a very lonely life. And now I’m rocking’ out because of it. 8:46

Not a Ronnie or FIR fan, I’d prefer a different band on this tour, but that’s just a musical taste thing. Agree with Matt’s sentiments on this topic.

More people need to stop tolerating all the BS. Consequences are an important lesson in life that so many need to learn.

don't agree on BLM and all these woke groups but I do agree on everyone having the right to speak their minds and not be crucified or cancelled for it, on all sides.

Anyone who expects Matt or Avenged Sevenfold in general to cave in to a vocal minority of haters at this point in their career doesn't know a thing about who they've always been, it's their tour and thus, their choice on who they want supporting them on it and you can't just say they should drop one band purely because their singer was in jail years ago and he's not afraid to voice his opinion and hit back at people who shit-talk him knowing that he'll ruffle a lot of feathers no matter what he says. Point is Ronnie has changed as a person since that time and you're stupid if you don't see that, so everyone needs to just get over it and leave not just him, but A7X alone for including them on their tour and plus, Matt's no pussy that'll back down as soon as someone disagrees with his opinion and/or attacks him for it either.

Falling in reverse is a great band!!! All the hate aside its great music!!!

Those bands really showed him by missing out on all that money on tour. 😅

I've never listened to A7F but I will now ..