Brooks Wackerman, who has now been the drummer for Avenged Sevenfold for a decade, recently opened up about the factors that led him to leave Bad Religion after 15 years. Speaking on Steveo 32’s podcast, hosted by the former Sum 41 drummer, Wackerman reflected on the transition period in his career and what ultimately inspired the change.
The initial connection came through Wackerman’s former personal manager, Diony Sepulveda, who at the time was working as Avenged Sevenfold’s tour manager. This sparked the conversation that would eventually lead to Wackerman considering the move.
Wackerman admitted that the idea initially surprised him, but he was soon drawn in by the excitement of a new direction. What truly sold him on joining Avenged Sevenfold was the opportunity to push his drumming boundaries and take on new challenges, including performing at metal festivals. He described the feeling as refreshing and said he hadn’t felt that way in a long time.
He also highlighted that a major factor was Avenged Sevenfold’s willingness to involve him in the creative process from the start. The band not only wanted him as a drummer but also wanted him to contribute to the songwriting. This sense of inclusion and collaboration made the opportunity feel special.
While Wackerman made it clear that Bad Religion did offer creative space, he noted that the primary songwriting remained with Brett Gurewitz and Greg Graffin, who he respectfully referred to as the "Lennon and McCartney of punk rock." Though he appreciated his time with Bad Religion, Wackerman felt the creative potential with Avenged Sevenfold was broader.
He added that while it took until his second album with Avenged Sevenfold to fully feel like himself within the group, the decision to join was ultimately driven by a desire for growth and new musical horizons
