13 Metal Artists That Were Very Rude

There are metal artists with a lot of different personalities and quirks. The genre is filled with characters and unique individuals who make this music so wonderful. However, this also comes with metal artists who have created reputations for being extremely rude and difficult. To some, this adds to the allure while others get annoyed with these antics.

Regardless, there are some metal artists who are both equally brilliant and combative. Extremely gifted and stubborn as a mule. These musicians fit that bill perfectly and have produced some of the best music in the genre. Moreover, they have also conceived some of the genre’s greatest feuds.

1. Ritchie Blackmore

With the name Ritchie Blackmore comes enormous talent and creativity. There’s no doubt about that. But there’s also no doubt that he’s a difficult guy, to say the least. Several people who have worked with Blackmore describe him with words that are best not repeated here. And the guitarist often has similar words for those people.

The problems with Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan were very famous at the time, and the protagonists acknowledged it. Creative differences, strong personalities, and tense dynamics were some of the causes. Blackmore referred to Gillan as Oliver Rude (a pun on the name of the English actor Oliver Reed). “He’s an intelligent man, but he just used to being so coarse. I didn’t like to be around the guy because I felt that he was doing things for shock value, to be talked about, for the hell of it.”

Blackmore‘s personality, along with the power he wielded in his bands, allowed him to do as much as he could as an artist. However, this also earned him many enemies, something that, on the other hand, didn’t seem to bother him. One of the greatest metal artists and one of the most combative personalities in the genre.

2. Axl Rose

The explosion of Guns N’ Roses at the beginning of their career was a phenomenon that has placed its members among stellar figures among metal artists, beyond what has been the rest of that career. Such a status achieved so quickly may have affected the egos of some, as seems to have been the case with Axl.

This often resulted in him arriving late to concerts or even leaving early, basically due to a tantrum or because he didn’t like something minor. Likewise, at the time, the hiatus of Guns N’ Roses in the mid-90s was, in part, the responsibility of Axl and his relationship with the rest of the members. It wouldn’t be until 2008’s “Chinese Democracy” that the band would return with new music and band members.

There is no denying that Axl Rose is one of the most peculiar metal artists out there. And his peculiar personality made him clash with a lot of people. It is something that has become part of the entire mythos of the genre.

3. Dave Mustaine

Continuing this series of metal artists with complicated personalities, it’s Dave Mustaine‘s turn. His feud with Metallica for several decades is quite well-known. It all stemmed from Mustaine‘s departure from that band in 1983. For a long time, the public became polarized, and this simply led to the problem growing and growing. For several decades, Mustaine used to say terrible things about Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield whenever he had the chance.

In recent years, those differences seem to have resolved. Additionally, he has had many problems with other musicians he has worked with in Megadeth, something reflected in the constant turnover of band members as well as with other bands. He has even had issues with an entire subgenre, as he recently declared that he was glad nu metal was dead. And if that weren’t enough, he has gotten into some trouble for controversial political comments at his concerts in countries like Ireland.

Mustaine is a genius, one of metal’s all-time greats, but he also has a difficult personality. However, much like Blackmore, that doesn’t seem to bother him. In many ways, perhaps that even has influenced in his success.

4. Kerry King

Throughout his long career, Kerry King has been involved in many disputes with other musicians. For example, his personal differences with Tom Araya, which ended up greatly affecting the band dynamics of Slayer. In 1985, he was briefly a member of Megadeth and, as expected, had problems with Mustaine, who, as we’ve seen, isn’t easy either.

He said of Mustaine, “He’s cool, but that he can’t help but stick his foot in his mouth.” Interestingly, despite his differences with Mustaine, the two seem to have similar opinions on nu metal. King said he “never liked Limp Bizkit and bands of that era. It just bummed me out and turned me off.” The Slayer guitarist said that the success of those bands affected his work in the 90s with Slayer, which, now, he admits he didn’t like.

5. Robb Flynn

I’m starting to think there’s something wrong with guitarists, and for some reason they have difficult personalities. This is where Robb Flynn, founder and frontman of Machine Head, comes in. While they seem to have a good relationship now, Flynn once said that Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman were “dicks.”

He also said that in the ‘80s and part of the ’90s, he was so immersed in Metallica and Exodus that Slayer simply didn’t appeal to him. Another issue with Flynn is his marked political stance, which, unlike other metal artists, he doesn’t tend to hide and professes openly. All of this combined was a perfect one for the several different controversies he has been a part of.

6. David Lee Roth

David Lee Roth is one of those metal artists who, in a way, symbolizes the genre’s rebelliousness with his crazy and energetic on-stage personality. However, he has also carried it off-stage. His most famous conflict was with his longtime bandmate, Eddie Van Halen.

As usual, the problems were a mix of different visions they had for the band along with strong personalities that ended up clashing. The issue was never really resolved when Eddie died in 2020. Alex Van Halen, Eddie‘s brother, tried to organize a tribute tour for his recently deceased brother, in which David Lee Roth was going to participate. However, he refused to pay tribute to Eddie in any way.

7. Yngwie Malmsteen

Well, a list of this kind wouldn’t be complete without good old Yngwie. Technically and artistically, there are many good things to be said about the Swede. However, his personality, well, that’s a different topic. Yngwie has developed a reputation (quite justified) for being arrogant. To the point of having no shame in speaking ill of other guitarists.

In fact, he’s even been called an egomaniac. The Swede often mixes a self-praising attitude with hurtful comments toward other musicians, even those he’s worked with. He is a generational talent, one of the finest guitar players to ever live, but it is also true that he is equally conflictive. This is a prime example of how genius can be extremely difficult to work.

8. James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich

This spot brings Metallica‘s main duo together. Their relationship with Dave Mustaine, which for many years was ugly, especially on both sides, has already been covered. But we also have that time they messed with the band Winger in the video for “Nothing Else Matters”. There, Lars is playing the drums, using a photo of Kip Winger as a target. That small feud started because of the duo’s disdain for 80s glam metal. This moment in the video even considerably affected Winger‘s image.

Another moment where James and Lars were very rude was when they mocked Layne Staley‘s (Alice in Chains singer) heroin addiction onstage. Furthermore, during the 90s, Ulrich claimed that metal was no longer viable for them, which angered the fans. There is also the situation with Napster, which vindicated the drummer in recent years but caused him problems in the metal community.

Hetfield‘s issues with former bassist Jason Newsted also need to be highlighted. The former Flotsam and Jetsam wasn’t allowed to write music with Metallica and couldn’t do it in other projects either. This caused a rift with the vocalist and Newsted would leave in the early 2000s. It was the nature of the beast at the time and highlights Hetfield and Ulrich‘s combative personalities.

9. Phil Anselmo

Phil Anselmo, the formidable frontman of Pantera, Down, and Superjoint Ritual, has long been a polarizing figure in the metal community. His aggressive vocal style and commanding stage presence are matched by a history of controversial actions and statements.

In 2016, Anselmo faced widespread condemnation after being filmed giving a N*** salute and shouting “white power” at the Dimebash tribute concert. Initially dismissing the act as a joke about white wine, he later issued an apology, acknowledging the offense caused and expressing remorse.

Anselmo’s career has also been marked by feuds and internal band conflicts. His strained relationship with Pantera bandmates, particularly the Abbott brothers, contributed to the band’s eventual dissolution. Despite his undeniable influence on the genre, Anselmo’s confrontational demeanor and controversial incidents have left a complex legacy, intertwining musical brilliance with personal tumult.

10. Glenn Danzig

Glenn Danzig, founder of the Misfits, Samhain, and his eponymous band Danzig, is renowned for his deep baritone voice and pioneering contributions to horror punk and metal.

However, his career is equally noted for a series of conflicts and controversies. Danzig’s tumultuous relationship with Misfits bassist Jerry Only led to legal battles over the band’s name and merchandising rights, culminating in a settlement that allowed Only to continue under the Misfits moniker.

Beyond band disputes, Danzig has been involved in physical altercations, most notably a backstage incident in 2004 where he was punched by North Side Kings frontman Danny Marianino following a disagreement over set times. In 2025, Danzig faced backlash for merchandise featuring the So****rad, a symbol appropriated by N**i Germany and associated with white supremacist groups. Despite calls for clarification, Danzig has remained silent on the matter, further fueling controversy.

11. Geoff Tate

For a long time, Geoff Tate was the undisputed voice of thinking man’s metal. As the frontman of Queensrÿche, his four-octave vocal range and theatrical delivery helped create masterpieces like Operation: Mindcrime and Empire. However, as the band’s success waned in the 2000s, the internal dynamics became as dramatic as their concept albums. Tate began to exert more control, leading to significant creative friction with the rest of the band, who felt marginalized in their own group. The tension boiled over in 2012 in a truly ugly fashion.

Before a show in São Paulo, Brazil, Tate allegedly assaulted his bandmates, spitting on drummer Scott Rockenfield and pushing guitarist Michael Wilton. The altercation led to Tate being fired, sparking a bitter, two-year court battle over the rights to the Queensrÿche name.

For a while, there were two versions of the band touring, causing immense confusion for fans. While Tate is undoubtedly one of the greatest vocalists in metal history, his need for control and the subsequent public mudslinging permanently scarred the band’s legacy.

12. Sebastian Bach

Much like Axl Rose, Sebastian Bach is the archetype of the volatile, high-energy frontman who helped define the late 80s and early 90s metal scene. With Skid Row, Bach’s powerful vocals on hits like “18 and Life” and “Slave to the Grind” were undeniable. However, his “wild child” persona often crossed the line from rebellious to destructive. He developed a reputation for being a loose cannon, both on and off the stage.

One of the most infamous incidents occurred in 1989 in Springfield, Massachusetts, when Bach threw a glass bottle into the crowd, injuring a female fan, after someone had thrown an object at him. Furthermore, his loud-mouthed personality led to a heated feud with Jon Bon Jovi—the very man who helped Skid Row get their start—whom Bach threatened to punch out.

Ultimately, his inability to get along with bassist Rachel Bolan and guitarist Dave Sabo led to his dismissal in 1996. The fact that the classic lineup has refused to reunite for decades, despite the potential for a massive payday, is a testament to just how difficult Bach can be to work with.

13. Gene Simmons

It is almost impossible to compile a list of difficult metal artists without including the KISS co-founder. Gene Simmons has built a career that is equal parts musical legacy and shameless self-promotion, and his mouth has gotten him into trouble nearly as often as it has made him money. The man has never met a microphone he couldn’t turn into a controversy.

Perhaps his most indefensible moment came in 2014 when, during an interview, he told people suffering from depression to essentially end their lives. The backlash was immediate and fierce, with musicians across the genre condemning him. He later apologized, but the damage was done, and it confirmed what many in the industry had long suspected: that Simmons’ lack of a filter goes far beyond rockstar bravado into genuinely hurtful territory.

His feuds with fellow musicians could fill a book on their own. He has publicly taken shots at everyone from Eddie Van Halen to Prince to entire genres of music he deemed inferior. He once declared that hip-hop and rap were not real music, alienating a massive portion of the music community in a single sentence. He also attempted to trademark the “devil horns” hand gesture that Ronnie James Dio popularized, a move that was met with universal ridicule from the metal community and was eventually abandoned after widespread mockery.

Then there is the ego itself, which operates on a scale that makes Yngwie Malmsteen look humble by comparison. Simmons has openly bragged about his wealth, his romantic conquests (claiming to have been with thousands of women), and his business acumen at every available opportunity. While nobody questions his success, the way he carries himself has rubbed virtually everyone in the industry the wrong way at some point. He is a marketing genius and a genuine rock icon, but he is also the guy most likely to make you roll your eyes in any interview he gives.