Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows recently spoke about his favorite Pantera songs. Instead of naming one, he shared a memorable story about being censored by his teacher.
When asked to pick his favorite Pantera track, M. Shadows revealed that he couldn’t single one out — but he did recall a vivid school memory tied to the band’s music.
“I don’t really have a favorite Pantera song. Their songs are all equally brilliant to me. I have a story about ‘Slaughtered’ though,” he said.
The story dates back to his 7th grade classroom, where students were asked to bring in music that represented them.
“When I was in 7th grade, we were asked to bring in music that represented us. I played ‘Slaughtered,’ because it was the heaviest, most brutal thing I had ever heard and I loved it. It was the only song that got turned off by the teacher after about a minute. I thought that was cool,” he continued.
The experience apparently inspired his late bandmate as well. M. Shadows recalled sharing the story with Avenged Sevenfold’s founding drummer, known as The Rev.
“[Avenged Sevenfold’s late founding drummer] The Rev had the same assignment so I told him that my song got turned off in class. So the next day he proceeded to bring in Pantera’s ‘Strength Beyond Strength,’ which also got cut short. I guess the teacher was not a fan,” he added.
The anecdote offers a lighthearted glimpse into the early musical influences that helped shape both M. Shadows and The Rev during their formative years.
The two songs at the center of the story are among Pantera’s most ferocious offerings. Their impact on a generation of metal musicians speaks for itself.
“Slaughtered” appears on Pantera’s 1996 album The Great Southern Trendkill, widely regarded as one of the band’s darkest and most extreme records. The track is consistently cited as one of the heaviest in Pantera’s catalog, representing the band’s most aggressive and uncompromising side. “Strength Beyond Strength,” meanwhile, serves as the explosive opening track of Pantera’s 1994 album Far Beyond Driven. Driven by a galloping rhythm and a slow-grinding mosh section, the song encapsulates the band’s defiant attitude and bold, unrelenting energy. Far Beyond Driven famously debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It was a remarkable achievement during the peak of the grunge era, when mainstream metal was in commercial decline.
The bond between M. Shadows and The Rev ran far deeper than a shared love of Pantera. Born James Sullivan, The Rev and M. Shadows — born Matthew Charles Sanders — were childhood friends who grew up together in Hesperia, California. They co-founded Avenged Sevenfold in 2001 after years of playing in local bands together. The Rev served not only as the band’s drummer but also as a co-lead vocalist and primary songwriter. He played a central role in shaping Avenged Sevenfold’s sound by blending heavy metal with melodic elements. M. Shadows has frequently described The Rev as his best friend and the heart of the band. The Rev passed away in December 2009, leaving a profound void in the group.
Pantera’s influence on Avenged Sevenfold was not merely a matter of childhood nostalgia — it was foundational. The band’s early sound, particularly on their debut album Waking the Fallen, drew heavily from the thrash and groove metal style that Pantera pioneered. Avenged Sevenfold have performed Pantera songs live, including “Strength Beyond Strength,” as a direct tribute to the band’s impact on their musical identity. The classroom story M. Shadows shared is a window into the raw, formative energy that would eventually fuel one of rock’s most successful modern acts.
Source: Revolver Magazine
