8 Metal Artists That The Mainstream Media Hated

Some metal artists have made tremendous contributions to the genre and never got their dues from the mainstream. This is a common occurrence in this kind of music but some were downright hated. Whether it was because of their heavy sound or things beyond music, the media wouldn’t let go. That is something that defined their journeys but also made their success a lot more memorable.

Furthermore, it is also worth pointing out that some metal artists got into these situations because of their actions. However, at the end of the day, their legacy went beyond mainstream media, which is commendable. All of these artists have surpassed these obstacles and have become legends of metal as a whole.

1. Motorhead

The mainstream media has never been a big fan of metal, and that’s why the genre is far more authentic than any other in the music industry. Speaking of authenticity, there is Motorhead and Lemmy in particular. The band’s sound and Lemmy‘s voice were things that many fans outside of metal always had a hard time getting used to. And even within metal, Motorhead wasn’t initially as appreciated as the metal artists they were.

It’s also worth mentioning that Lemmy always had a tough personality, whose opinions were far from in line with what the media was saying. Added to this was Lemmy‘s lifestyle, which clearly did not fit the more conservative style that some media outlets want to promote or pretend. Furthermore, there were initial media articles calling Motorhead “the worst band in the world”. That, of course, is very funny when looking back.

2. Black Sabbath

Let’s remember that Black Sabbath were innovators with their sound and what it meant for the birth of heavy metal. Their somewhat somber musical style wasn’t something the media appreciated at the time; in fact, it was difficult for the band to achieve the impact it deserved.

Those who bring new things to the table often struggle to receive immediate recognition. On the other hand, Ozzy Osbourne‘s personality and actions didn’t help the band’s image. It is also worth pointing out that, long after Ozzy‘s departure, they were still criticized. A lot of the press never gave their albums a fair chance when reviewing them as well.

On the other hand, once grunge bands started to cite them as an influence, the mainstream began to praise them. Funny how that goes.

3. W.A.S.P.

Blackie Lawless is a true metal artist, with all that entails. Musically, he’s done great work with W.A.S.P., some of which, like “The Crimson Idol“, is simply sublime. However, Blackie is a unique personality who has no qualms about telling an interviewer what he thinks of a question if it’s not very good.

Another important factor that kept them from being well-liked by the media was their shows, which were, to say the least, controversial. However, they’ve changed over time and are no longer what they were in the band’s early days. Back in the ’80s, they could tie a model to the stage or throw meat into the audience. All of that caused him a lot of problems throughout the years and became a symbol in the 80s. That is because he was associated with censorship with the genre.

4. King Diamond / Mercyful Fate

Well, there’s a lot to choose from here. That is, we can start with the image of the bands, and more specifically, King Diamond himself. The makeup and sets of his concerts, which aim to be very theatrical, also include upside-down crosses and other symbols oriented toward Satanism. This is something that he started with Mercyful Fate and carried on as a solo artist.

In fact, King Diamond himself has acknowledged being a follower of LaVeyan Satanism, something he views more from a philosophical than a religious perspective. This is reflected in his shows and in his lyrics. Mr. Diamond used a microphone shaped like a human skull and now uses one made of a femur bone and a tibia bone in the shape of a cross. Obviously, the mainstream media won’t welcome such an act, since far from seeing it from an artistic perspective, they see it from a more literal angle.

5. Twisted Sister

Rebellion, leather jackets, alcohol, and chaos are things that most people outside of metal tend to associate with the genre. This is without listening to the music or delving into the lyrics. That’s why metal artists like Twisted Sister have been labeled a certain way by the media, and that has followed them for much of their career.

This includes the clothing that characterized the band, along with the wigs and makeup that largely sought to create a distinctive image. Likewise, their music videos had a predominantly rebellious and somewhat aggressive theme, which, as is often the case, didn’t appeal to more conservative audiences. In many ways, it was through the controversies that the band became so iconic in the 80s.

Twisted Sister never hit the mainstream as they did in the 80s ever gain. However, they were a key component when fighting censorship at the time. That, in and out itself, is worth praising.

6. Iron Maiden

Here we return to a somewhat old topic, but one that we can say affected Iron Maiden almost to the extreme in the eyes of some Christian media and audiences. In 1982, with the release of the album “The Number of the Beast”, the reaction of a small, very conservative group was to label the British as Satanic. It wasn’t necessary to listen to a song (something they probably didn’t do); just looking at the cover and the album name was enough.

On the cover, Eddie, the band’s iconic mascot, holds the Devil like a puppet. The response of religious groups was to burn copies of the album, but this was accompanied by controversy and a ban in some media outlets. The band never had any Satanic inclinations; it was simply a matter of creating a design and theme for the album.

Iron Maiden ended up becoming a symbol of 80s metal, with everything that entails. They were even banned in some countries, such as Chile. On the other hand, they were responsible for pushing the genre into the mainstream. It comes with the territory, in a way.

7. Stryper

This is probably the most curious case on the list of metal artists hated by the mainstream media. Stryper‘s musical quality is never questioned, and in fact, that’s not the reason they’ve suffered such unjustified hatred. On the one hand, the rock and metal community didn’t hold them in high regard because they made Christian music. In a medium that, as already stated, tends to be more identified with rebellion and an aggressive image, Stryper spoke about God in their songs.

This might lead one to think that Christian audiences would appreciate them and hold them in high regard. Well, the opposite often happened. Part of the Christian audience and media didn’t like them, precisely for making metal. To the point of questioning their beliefs and whether they were truly Christian. In short, what Stryper has experienced for choosing the path of Christian metal is quite an ordeal.

There is an argument to be made that Stryper is one of the most divisive bands ever. They were rejected by all walks of life in the 80s. However, their great music built them a loyal following and that’s the most important thing.

8. Cannibal Corpse

There is an argumen to be made the band’s image and the fact that they play death metal might seem enough to make the mainstream media hate them. However, there was one episode in particular that significantly affected them in that sense. In the 90s, Republican Senator Bob Dole, who had been Bill Clinton‘s main rival in the 1996 US presidential election, mentioned the band in one of his speeches.

Dole said of Cannibal Corpse (and a number of rappers) that they were “undermining the character of the nation.” He also added that the band was an example of how heavy metal was damaging to children. However, the band saw this speech as publicity. As they say, there is no such thing as bad publicity. But the truth is that the more conservative audience would begin to label them in a negative light.

It’s obvious that Cannibal Corpse is a legendary death metal outfit. However, there is an argument to be made that Dole was what made them mainstream. It is a very interesting example of how things can play out in this scenario.