Coming Home

Loudwire and Rolling Stone were always our go-to magazines to interview with. We would do others eventually, but we always started with those two. They usually portrayed us the right way, the way we wanted. So when they asked for an interview with me, I couldn't say no.

I knew what they wanted to talk about. I knew why they were asking. I said we could do an interview as long as they were willing to do it together. They had agreed as long as I did separate photo shoots. That was fine by me. I just wanted to speak my truth. Finally, after all these years.

The reporters were good people. Rolling Stone sent Samantha Francis. She was one of the better reporters. Loudwire sent my favorite, Def Shane. He was a god when it came to writing, and he loved Avenged. I was hopeful that they would tell the right story, my story.

SF: So, there's all this buzz about your talk with Deathbat Nation. Why now?

Shadows: [chuckles] You know, that's a question I think I'm always going to get asked. I never really thought of myself as a certain sexuality. I think like most people, I thought I was straight. But, it's just time. I'm tired to denying who I am. And after the Rev and getting out of the Navy and all that, I just felt it was time.

DS: Speaking of the military, what was the Don't Ask, Don't Tell period like?

Shadows: That's another thing I get asked about a lot. For me, it was fine. I didn't want to believe I was bi. I didn't want to every delve into that part of myself. But I can say that it was also really terrifying. So many good people I knew were and are LGBT. For them, it was hell on Earth.

SF: You touched a little bit on your relationship. Do you want to elaborate at all?

Shadows: It's not just me in the relationship. I will say that it's not something everyone will understand, and that's okay. Not everyone understands bisexuality. Sometimes that's just the way it is. Right?

DS: Well all this talk about your sexuality aside... Avenged just released an AMAZING album. Tell us how The Stage came to be.

Shadows: [laughs] Nice segue. The Stage is a fucking love child and labor of love. Like everything we've done as a band, it evolved as we did. All of us, except me, are married with kids. We aren't the City of Evil era anymore. You know, we aren't good ole military boys anymore. The Stage comes from the things we've read. For me, it was mainly Carl Sagan.

SF: Can you tell us a little bit about Exist? It's unlike anything I've ever heard.

Shadows: I always thought it would be cool to see the Big Bang put into song, the story of the universe. We wanted to use a section from Sagan but couldn't get the rights to it. So, Tyson wound up recording with us. And it just evolved from there.

DS: What can we expect to see in your tours?

Shadows: It's going to be different than anything you've ever seen from us. There's no pyrotechnics this time around. This is just The Stage come to life.

SF: What was your favorite song?

Shadows: Hard to choose. I would have to say it's probably Higher or Fermi Paradox.

DS: What old songs can we expect from you on tour?

Shadows: The fans always want to hear Nightmare, Bat Country, and A Little Piece of Heaven. I had a little incident earlier this year and we've decided to add Gunslinger and MIA into the mix.

SF: Does MIA connect to your time in the military?

Shadows: [laughs] I think that's pretty obvious. You know, Brian, Johnny, and Jimmy were all in the Navy as pilots. They were like the image you get when you think pilot. They were totally Maverick from Top Gun. Brooks was a Green Beret. So, he connects with the song too. Me and Zach were SEALs. This song is for us, but for everyone who has ever served.

DS: Last question: will we ever hear you scream again?

Shadows: Probably not. I think I outgrew the screaming stage. It's not the direction that Avenged is heading in.

Notes

Fingers taking the story away again.