Avenged Sevenfold’s M. Shadows Responds to Backlash
When Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows learned that two of his fans had been held hostage for two years and were finally released, he sent them a heartfelt video message welcoming them home. His kind gesture meant the world to them — but in today’s online climate, not everyone saw it that way. Shadows faced intense backlash from some corners of the internet accusing him of taking a political stance.
Now, M. Shadows is responding directly — setting the record straight in a new Rolling Stone interview. He explains that the message was purely human, not political:
🔥 Join the Feed Fam — unlock comment badges, emojis, early drops, and exclusive perks, all while directly supporting Rock Feed: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeS9Gr2R2nJa_wrjUke2-Tw/join
I’d appreciate it if you took a moment to follow 🙂
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockfeednet
X: (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/RockFeedNet
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockfeedofficial
Website: https://www.rockfeed.net
@NoamKurucz
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
I love how M shadows stands up for the truth ❤❤
@handleOfThy
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
fuck the noise, W shadows
@paranormalanglia
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
He doesn't need to apologies it was a nice gesture
@bundles480
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
🙏
@Mathias12-s6y
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
HIM, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice in Chains. Top 3 bands of all time to me
@Jabberstax
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Never apologise. Never explain.
Queen Elizabeth II
@feelincrispy7053
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
I find it strange how everyone is on the understanding that backlash these days is generally a very small percentage of people yet we still continue to act like that small percentile speaks for everyone.
People always saying "ignore the trolls!", yet they and everyone else never ignores them
@clamum9648
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
And majority of those criticizing Shadows consider themselves good people on the right side of history. Lololol
Glad he didn't apologize, never do that.
@cYkoTIkTV
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Dude did nothing wrong.
@johnsantolucito3061
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Fuck all the political bs, people are people, and deserve to be treated with what they put out . Loving a person isn't based on color, ethnicity, or political background. It's for who they are.
@chrisabreedapartnyhc5337
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
I’m not even a fan of Avenge Sevenfold but this is total madness,people need to get a life and stop bitching
@jpweidemoyer8544
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
I think the point is that he didn't do anything such as this for any fans in Gaza. Everything is political, like it or not.
@justiceonrockytop3351
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
He also postponed a concert on October 7th in which fans traveled to see. Made it next to impossible to attend. Ticketmaster wasn't understanding on money refund.
@Duodeath02
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
All I Know it feels like What Matthew Has done is drop a good bit of love light and true positivity into this corrupt world. So The Evil starts to make a lot of loud noises and tries to backlash against Matt's True Golden hearted Love to these two Fans he sees as precious human life. Just offering what he could to perhaps sooth the pain one way or another. And In doing so his 100% True Love for Truth, Peace and Love and Just all out sheer good will to another human being. Is Just To Much for this Evil world to take. Sad and Gross Feeling. I admire Matthew even more and how handled it What He said. He is a Very rare wise More Pure Then Golden heart Man.
@aerodoc78
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
People these days will find a way to complain about litterally anything. No matter how stupid they are or how ridiculous the point they think they're making.
@hallowedbethygains1208
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Only the left would think that way and send backlash 😂😂😂 gosh they're so egotistical. If they sent a heartwarming video to some Palestine fans, the right wouldn't bat an eye, wouldn't think anything of it. But the right also doesn't whine about everything, get offended over people breathing their direction or constantly look for reasons to be turds to others. I can't wait for backlash on this Comment either so that the point will show itself.
@forcedentry2010
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Who the fuck had a problem with this and why? We really just like to attack anything and everything nowadays.
@GhostStint
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
those are the people we dont need around
@Toxyethanol
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Some people can't be pleased, they aren't comfortable unless they have something to complain about or be bothered by.
@Shooter_McKevin
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
There can be a nuanced take here…. People are insane today .
@jaderose3175
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
He better never apologize. There's no need. Some people just can't come to terms with reality and think everything is about politics.
@groovelife415
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Empathy for your fans isn't bad. The band shouldn't "pick a side". Music is the one place the corrupt powers of the world can't turn us against each other.
@DravensPit
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
This is why artist shall stop being nice! A fan is a fan, a musican is a musican, government and politictes are left at the gates.
@TimBow-r6h
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
How tf is this controversial?
@50Chient
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
I don’t want to live in this planet anymore. I don’t even like AX7 but I thought that was one of the coolest things I’ve seen a frontman do in a long time. People hated? Fuck me sideways. I’m an AX7 fan now.
@friendlyskiespodcast
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
the wokies/free ps people are insufferable, either copying the whining not knowing this is a war, this isn't some charity event.
@TipToeVertigo
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
These people just thrive off the misery of their political ideology and want to force it on everyone when most people just want to be left the fk alone.
@toikutoassumi8381
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Let's remember to be Human sometimes not everything has to be political damn!
@Crtd920
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
They weren’t “hostages” they were IDF soldiers that were prisoners of war.
@RAIDER-22oct
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
as a lebanese fan to a7x i dont see a problem with his video . israel is an enemy country to mine, but this does not mean that i should hate every israeli with all my heart . fuvk their govt but leave civilians alone .
@mikewestfall827
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
It's not like he signed bombs.
@PainInTheShane0
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
i don’t support israel in any way, but what matters did is a good thing. but i don’t agree with his thoughts on david
@J_i_z_z_y
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
You know they are being human beings no matter how you feel one way or another suffering on either side is sick.
@GuerreroDelArcoIris
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
There's nothing wrong with this. War is bad, free Palestine, he cared for humanity despite the side. Good for M. Shadows.
@FWDSUXARSE
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
I don't understand how this is something he should receive any bashing over. I'm an A7X fan and I happen to be a conservative. What these 2 poor men went through is horrible. I stand with Matt.
@JazzyAnt
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
idgf. free palestine
@dashiftymon
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
I mean I don't like Netanyahu but those two guys were finally home and Matt was just giving them a well wishes video? lmao
@WwLoganxX
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
FFS! He was trying to do something nice for a couple of dudes. There's always some vocal people that got to be butthurt about everything. I'm glad M. Shadows stood his ground and didn't apologize. Major respect.
@chrismiller7022
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Yea same group of people that went after him for this are the same ones ranting and raving about peace and understanding
@CathyTompkins9905
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
With my boy we love these guys Avenged and
Disturbed, tons of others,he's introduced me to a whole new world of great bands, I cone from a strong healthy "hairband era" and he to was introduced to some good
Metal in the 80s.
I miss the 80s. I miss the hair bands. I mostly miss him but I keep with me all the music they introduced me to
I didn't know this story.I'm glad I do now
New to rock feed as well loving it. Thus far.
Keep up the good work, loving the content.
Miss you, mister tristers, ma loves you🥹🤟🤘
@ForgottenGearRestorations
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
What we can’t be humans? Everything has to be political? This was a very human gesture.
@Dstinct
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Dont care about his calling the fans. I do care about his support for Draiman. This is the position of most people I've seen online, and to act otherwise is disingenuous.
@delix787
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Rock feed won’t cover typo O negative news but if you’re a fan of the band, they’re in the studio working on a live performance release.
@nicolet848
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
I firmly stand with M Shadows. To be more upset over being kind to hostages who were tortured for years than to be upset about terrorists taking said hostages and starving and torturing them is f'n absurd!!!!
@rachelk1445
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
So, the people who are mad at him (assuming a lot of them are American) would be okay if people from other countries lumped all Americans together and hated us all because of what Trump has done? I'm tired of everything being politicized. I applaud M. Shadows for reaching out to them as fellow human beings who are fans of his.
@GoogleProd
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Stop caring what other people think? Stop looking for reactions. Stop engaging in videos like Rock Feed asking…"Let me know what you think down in the comments" Make sure to subscribe!
@ERNESTBASS-h2o
February 28, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Your better than this, You went to a P-Diddy party didn't you Brian? come clean man, lol
Comments are closed.