Former Israeli Hostages Share Tearful Response to Message of Support from Avenged Sevenfold’s M. Shadows: ‘Can’t Believe He Made This Video’

Two Avenged Sevenfold superfans who were held hostage in Gaza during the two-year Israel-Hamas war, expressed their gratitude on Wednesday (Oct. 15) for a message of support and love from the hard rock band’s singer, M. Shadows.

Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal were both taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023 while attending the Nova Music Festival in Israel and released this week as part of a ceasefire deal brokered by President Trump. During their captivity, the childhood friends reportedly bonded over their love of the “Nightmare” band’s music, prompting singer Shadows to send them a video message welcoming them home after an A7X Israeli fan group contacted the band about the men’s plight.

“Evyatar and Guy, I”m so excited to hear you guys are home today. We’ve been following the story closely. We knew you guys were devoted A7X fans and we appreciate it so much. The things you guys have been through, it’s just unspeakable, terrible,” Shadows said in the video.

“Hopefully we see you guys soon,” Shadows added. “Be safe. Spend time with your family. Get some rest and hopefully we can see you guys soon. Welcome home. Glad you guys are ok.”

In a response video shared by the A7X Israel group, Gilboa-Dalal watches Shadow’s video in disbelief, smiling and laughing. “No! ‘See you soon’!,” he says in amazement from what looks like a hospital room. When his brother notes that Shadows is “waiting for you,” Gilboa-Dalal says “no way… do you think he would meet me?”

His brother then says “why not?” and promises to try to make the meeting happen as Gilboa-Dalal insists that they show the clip to David as well. “I’m in shock,” Gilboa-Dalal says. “Yesterday we listened to their songs. It was overwhelming. It was so much better than imagining it for two years.” When his brother notes that the two former captives spent one of their first nights of freedom listening to their favorite band, Gilboa-Dalal says, “It felt like my soul had left my body. I’m not even joking. I can’t believe he made this video!”

The clip ends with footage of the two men post-release sitting side-by-side as they play air guitar to an A7X song.

Monday’s deal saw the return of 20 living Israeli hostages and the beginning of the repatriation of the bodies of the 28 dead captives who were held in Gaza during the devastating war as part of a ceasefire deal that, at press time, appeared to be holding.