Studio Album · No. 7
The Stage Songwriting Credits by Avenged Sevenfold
Produced by Avenged Sevenfold, Joe Barresi · Engineered by Joe Barresi, Andy Wallace
Holds writing credit on 11 of 11 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 11 / 11 documented
Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether Avenged Sevenfold carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
The Stage splits authorship cleanly by role: M. Shadows wrote all the lyrics and the band composed the music together, so Matthew Sanders sits in every lyricist credit while the four members share each music credit. The standard edition has no covers; the band's covers of songs by Pink Floyd, the Beach Boys, and others appear only on the deluxe bonus disc, outside this track list.
The Stage is the seventh studio album by Avenged Sevenfold, released as a surprise drop in October 2016 and the band's first for Capitol Records. It is the first album with drummer Brooks Wackerman and the band's deepest move into progressive metal, built on long, conceptual songs about artificial intelligence, technology, and humanity. M. Shadows wrote all the lyrics while the band composed the music together, capped by the 15-minute closer 'Exist,' which features spoken word from Neil deGrasse Tyson. Ambitious and divisive, it expanded the band's reach beyond straightforward metal.
Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Stage
#8
|
M. Shadows | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Avenged SevenfoldJoe Barresi | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Paradigm
|
M. Shadows | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Avenged SevenfoldJoe Barresi | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Sunny Disposition
|
M. Shadows | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Avenged SevenfoldJoe Barresi | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
God Damn
#19
|
M. Shadows | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Avenged SevenfoldJoe Barresi | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Creating God
|
M. Shadows | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Avenged SevenfoldJoe Barresi | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Angels
|
M. Shadows | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Avenged SevenfoldJoe Barresi | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Simulation
|
M. Shadows | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Avenged SevenfoldJoe Barresi | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Higher
|
M. Shadows | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Avenged SevenfoldJoe Barresi | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Roman Sky
|
M. Shadows | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Avenged SevenfoldJoe Barresi | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Fermi Paradox
|
M. Shadows | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Avenged SevenfoldJoe Barresi | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
Exist
|
M. Shadows | Matthew SandersZachary BakerBrian Haner Jr.Jonathan Seward | Avenged SevenfoldJoe Barresi | M. Shadows (Lead Vocals)Neil deGrasse Tyson (Spoken Word) |