Avenged Sevenfold Guitarist Defends Generative AI Use

Guitarist Zacky Vengeance publicly supports the use of generative AI in music and design projects.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Metal

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Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Zacky Vengeance has defended the use of generative AI in creative work, citing improved efficiency over conventional design workflows. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Zacky Vengeance has publicly defended the use of generative AI after publishing a statement written by the technology. He contends that rejecting the advancement of artificial intelligence is futile while citing efficiency as a primary benefit.

Why it matters

The endorsement highlights the ongoing debate within the creative industry regarding the role of automation and synthetic media in professional artistry. Vengeance suggests that traditional design roles may be vulnerable to displacement due to shifting industry demands.

Avenged Sevenfold recently released the four-track EP Statica in July 2026. The band utilized electronic production methods, including AutoTune, throughout the project.

The players

Zacky Vengeance

He is a 44-year-old musician who co-founded the heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold.

M. Shadows

He is the lead vocalist of Avenged Sevenfold and has previously discussed the potential for AI in the band's creative process.

The details

Zacky Vengeance claimed that designers he previously employed were replaced by AI programs due to greed and complacency. While acknowledging his belief that AI could ultimately threaten humanity, he maintains a preference for the efficiency provided by AI-generated prompts over conventional workflows.

Timeline

  1. Avenged Sevenfold was co-founded in 1999.

  2. M. Shadows expressed interest in AI-facilitated song creation in 2023.

  3. The band released the Statica EP in July 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The statement follows the precedent set by the 2023 discussions on AI-facilitated music creation by M. Shadows within the band. This endorsement reflects a broader shift toward integrating synthetic tools into the production workflows of legacy rock acts.

Fans can anticipate a new follow-up album to the Statica EP in the near future. The move signals that listeners should expect an increasing presence of electronic and synthetic production elements in the band's future discography.

The takeaway

The band's embrace of synthetic tools underscores a transition toward higher reliance on automation in professional music production. Listeners interested in the intersection of technology and art should prepare for more studio releases that leverage generative programming.

Further reading

Explore more news and commentary regarding the evolving landscape of Metal music.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Loudersound.

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Do you believe that using generative AI enhances human creativity?