What is M. Shadows’ Net Worth?
M. Shadows, lead vocalist and songwriter for Avenged Sevenfold, has a net worth of $20 million. He’s a founding member of the American heavy metal band and has recorded albums such as “Sounding the Seventh Trumpet,” “City of Evil,” and “Hail to the King.” Shadows has also made guest appearances on songs by other artists, including Cowboy Troy, Good Charlotte, and Steel Panther.
Early Life and Education
M. Shadows, born Matthew Sanders in 1981, was raised in Huntington Beach, California. He has Italian and Irish heritage and a younger sister who played in the WNBA. Sanders developed a love for rock music at a young age, especially Guns N’ Roses, before shifting his focus to heavy metal music and guitar playing. He attended Huntington Beach High School and played for the punk band Successful Failure during his time there.
Avenged Sevenfold’s Music Career
M. Shadows formed the heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold in 1999 with James Sullivan, Matt Wendt, and Zachary Baker. The band’s name is a reference to the Biblical brothers Cain and Abel. Avenged Sevenfold released its debut studio album, “Sounding the Seventh Trumpet,” in 2001. After welcoming new lead guitarist Synyster Gates and bassist Johnny Christ, the band released the album “City of Evil” in 2005, which debuted at number 30 on the Billboard 200. The band continued its success with its self-titled album in 2007, which debuted at number four on the Billboard 200.
Avenged Sevenfold released a compilation album and live DVD in 2008 and its fifth studio album, “Nightmare,” in 2010, which debuted atop the Billboard 200. The album was the first recorded without the Rev, who had passed away in late 2009. The band had another number-one album on the Billboard 200 with 2013’s “Hail to the King,” and its next album, 2016’s “The Stage,” marked the debut for new drummer Brooks Wackerman. The band released the EP “Black Reign” in 2018, followed by its eighth studio album, “Life is but a Dream…,” in 2023.
M. Shadows’ Guest Appearances on Songs
M. Shadows, best known as the lead vocalist of Avenged Sevenfold, has also made guest appearances on numerous songs by other artists. In the 00s, he appeared on Bleeding Through’s “Savior, Saint, Salvation”; Death by Stereo’s “Entombed We Collide”; Cowboy Troy’s “Buffalo Stampede”; Good Charlotte’s “The River,” also featuring Avenged Sevenfold’s Synyster Gates; and Steel Panther’s “Turn Out the Lights.”
In 2010, Shadows appeared on Slash’s “Nothing to Say” from the Guns N’ Roses singer’s debut solo album. He went on to contribute to such songs as “Go Alone,” by Hell or Highwater; “Sandpaper,” by Fozzy; “Haze,” by Device; and “Super Hero,” by Atreyu. In 2020, Shadows was featured on These Grey Men’s cover of the Radiohead song “Street Spirit (Fade Out).”
M. Shadows’ Vocal Style and Influences
M. Shadows has a baritone voice that he can carry up to a high C, spanning nearly four octaves. His vocal style has evolved from severe growls to more melodic vocal lines, with added grittiness and raspiness.
Influenced by artists such as Guns N’ Roses, Pink Floyd, Rancid, Pantera, Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Megadeth, Shadows’ musical style has been shaped by these formative musicians.
Sanders’ Personal Life
In 2009, Sanders married Valary DiBenedetto. They have two sons named River and Cash. Sanders’ bandmate Brian Haner Jr., aka Synyster Gates, is married to DiBenedetto’s twin sister Michelle, making the men brothers-in-law.
