12 of the Most Gruesome Fights in Metal History
Metal music, with its intense energy and raw emotion, has always been a breeding ground for larger-than-life personalities and, inevitably, conflicts. From onstage brawls to behind-the-scenes feuds, the history of metal is peppered with epic fights. In this article, we will look at twelve of the most infamous fights that have rocked the metal world.
1. The Infamous Clash: Axl Rose vs. Slash
Guns N’ Roses, one of the most iconic bands in rock history, was also home to one of the most notorious feuds. The tension between frontman Axl Rose and lead guitarist Slash reached its peak in the mid-90s. Their disagreements over musical direction, personal lifestyles, and even punctuality led to explosive arguments. Axl’s unpredictable behavior and Slash’s substance abuse issues only fueled the fire.
The breaking point came when Slash left the band in 1996, leading to a nearly two-decade-long estrangement. Despite their eventual reunion in 2016, the scars of their past battles still remain visible.
2. The Brothers’ Brawl: Phil and Vinnie Paul Abbott
Pantera’s legacy is not just about their groundbreaking music but also the strained relationship between brothers Phil Anselmo and Vinnie Paul Abbott. The tension began brewing in the late 90s, and was worsened by Phil’s heroin addiction and erratic behavior.
Vinnie’s frustration with Phil’s unreliability and the band’s subsequent hiatus led to heated exchanges. The situation worsened after the tragic death of their brother, Dimebag Darrell, in 2004. The animosity between Phil and Vinnie persisted until Vinnie’s death in 2018, marking one of the most heartbreaking fights in metal history.
3. The Onstage Meltdown: Dave Mustaine vs. Metallica
Before founding Megadeth, Dave Mustaine was the original lead guitarist for Metallica. However, his tenure was short-lived due to his aggressive behavior and substance abuse. In 1983, Metallica unceremoniously fired Mustaine, leading to a bitter rivalry that would last for decades.
Mustaine’s resentment towards his former bandmates fueled his drive to create Megadeth, resulting in some of the most intense thrash metal ever recorded. Despite occasional reconciliations, the tension between Mustaine and Metallica remains a defining aspect of both bands’ histories.
4. The Brutal Breakup: Max Cavalera vs. Sepultura
Sepultura, the Brazilian metal powerhouse, faced a devastating split in 1996 when frontman Max Cavalera left the band. The departure was triggered by a combination of personal and professional conflicts, including the tragic death of Max’s stepson and manager, Dana Wells.
The remaining members’ decision to continue without Max led to a bitter feud, with both sides exchanging harsh words in the press. Max went on to form Soulfly, while Sepultura continued with new members. The rift between Max and his former bandmates remains unresolved, casting a shadow over their shared legacy.
5. The Family Feud: Liam and Noel Gallagher
While not strictly metal, the sibling rivalry between Oasis’s Liam and Noel Gallagher is legendary in the rock world. Their constant bickering, both on and off stage, became a hallmark of the band’s career. From physical altercations to public insults, the Gallagher brothers’ relationship was a ticking time bomb.
The final straw came in 2009 when a backstage fight led to Noel quitting the band. Despite occasional hints at reconciliation, the brothers are yet to bury the hatchet.
6. The Power Struggle: Kerry King vs. Jeff Hanneman
Slayer, one of the “Big Four” of thrash metal, was not immune to internal conflicts. The creative tension between guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman often spilled over into personal disputes. Their differing visions for the band’s direction led to heated arguments, particularly during the recording of their later albums. Despite their differences, the duo managed to maintain a working relationship until Hanneman’s untimely death in 2013.
7. The Public Spat: Corey Taylor vs. Chad Kroeger
In 2017, Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger engaged in a highly publicized war of words. It all started when Kroeger dismissed Slipknot as a gimmick and criticized Taylor’s other band, Stone Sour. Taylor responded with scathing remarks about Nickelback’s music and Kroeger’s personality.
The back and forth quickly escalated, with both musicians trading barbs in interviews and on social media. While the spat provided plenty of entertainment for fans, it also allowed us see the deep-seated rivalries that can exist within the rock and metal communities.
8. The Legal Battle: Ozzy Osbourne vs. Tony Iommi
Black Sabbath, the pioneers of heavy metal, faced numerous internal conflicts throughout their career. One of the most significant disputes occurred in the early 2000s when Ozzy Osbourne sued guitarist Tony Iommi over the rights to the band’s name.
The legal battle stemmed from Iommi’s claim to sole ownership of the Black Sabbath trademark, which Ozzy contested. The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court, but the incident was proof of the complex dynamics and business disputes that can arise within legendary bands.
9. The Onstage Fight: Sebastian Bach vs. Skid Row
Skid Row’s rise to fame in the late 80s was accompanied by internal strife, particularly between frontman Sebastian Bach and the rest of the band. The most infamous incident occurred in 1996 when Bach threw a bottle into the audience, injuring a fan.
This event, coupled with ongoing tensions, resulted in Bach leaving the band. Despite occasional reunions, the relationship between Bach and Skid Row remains strained, with both sides often airing their grievances publicly.
10. The Challenge: Vince Neil vs. Axl Rose
In the early ’90s, a feud erupted between Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil and Guns N’ Roses’ Axl Rose. The animosity began when Neil accused Rose of making derogatory comments about him and issuing threats.
During a TV interview, Neil publicly challenged Rose to a fight, saying, “He said, ‘Well, any time, any place.’ And right now, I wanna put an end to this.” The challenge never materialized into a physical confrontation, but it added another layer to the already volatile world of rock rivalries.
11. The Creative Clash: Lars Ulrich vs. James Hetfield
Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield have had their share of disagreements over the years, but one of the most notable conflicts occurred during the recording of their 2003 album, “St. Anger.” The tension between the drummer and the vocalist/guitarist was so severe that it nearly led to the band’s breakup.
Their differing opinions on the album’s direction and production style caused heated arguments, which were documented in the film “Some Kind of Monster.” The documentary provided a raw and unfiltered look at the band’s internal struggles, ultimately leading to therapy sessions that helped them reconcile.
12. The Rivalry: Dave Mustaine vs. Kerry King
The rivalry between Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine and Slayer’s Kerry King is one of the most well-known in thrash metal history. The tension began in the early ’80s when Mustaine, after being fired from Metallica, formed Megadeth and sought to establish his new band as a dominant force in the metal scene.
King briefly joined Megadeth in its early days but left due to creative differences and Mustaine’s controlling nature. The split led to a long-standing rivalry, with both musicians frequently taking jabs at each other in interviews. Despite their mutual respect for each other’s talents, the competitive spirit between Mustaine and King has fueled some of the most intense and memorable moments in thrash metal history.
