Metal music has a reputation for being hard and aggressive, a celebration of the darker side of life. Something happened with the '80s styles, however, with a baffling infusion of glam that spawned a big-haired, face-painted look. This bizarre mix of makeup and macho macabre left an unforgettable mark on metal bands, with some attempts to nail the look coming up hilariously short.

We here at Bored Panda have decided to celebrate this strange period of 80s fashion in music history, with a selection of the funniest and most awkward photos from heavy metal band photoshoots. Scroll down below to check the album covers out for yourself and let us know what you think in the comments!

(h/t: Design You Trust)

#3

Manowar

Manowar

Report

#5

Motörhead

Motörhead

Report

Wynand
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lemmy think about this for a second

View more comments
#7

Stryper

Stryper

Report

#8

Stovokor

Stovokor

Report

#9

Tunnel Of Love

Tunnel of love

Report

FanDaPanda
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im picking up on some notes of willy wonka with a hint of drugs and alcohol.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#10

Manowar

Manowar

Report

pandaes
BoredPanda Staff
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

is this whole post a photoshoot of Manowar? xD

View More Replies...
View more comments
#11

Judas Priest

 Judas Priest

Report

#13

X Japan

X Japan

Report

BusLady
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That eye makeup took some skill. And a steady hand.

View more comments
#15

Venom

Venom

Report

Lotte
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this looks like it came out of some sort of medieval war movie

View More Replies...
View more comments
#16

Shotgun Messiah

Shotgun Messiah

Report

BusLady
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now, for the photo shoot, steal your sister's workout clothes.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#17

Metal Band

Report

#18

TWATT

TWATT

Awkward band and musician photos Report

Mama Panda
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gave them an upvote simply for the name of the band!!!

View more comments
#19

Rhapsody Of Fire

Rhapsody Of Fire

Report

Quinn Nix
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A relatively recent metal band, here. These guys got Christopher Lee (Saruman the Wizard, from LotR) to voice story-telling interludes on one of their prog metal albums. How awesome is that?

View More Replies...
View more comments
#20

Awkward Metal Band Photo

Report

Mark
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Frankie goes to Hollywood, the later years.

View More Replies...
View more comments
See Also on Bored Panda
#21

Metal Band

Report

Wynand
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else!

View More Replies...
View more comments
#22

Funny Awkward Metal Bands Photos

Report

#23

Metal Band

Crimson Glory 

Report

Bored Bear
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baby: "I was told I could take a picture with the teletubbies. They lied."

View More Replies...
View more comments
#25

Detsorgsekalf

Detsorgsekalf

Report

Kjorn
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

damn… his cat was Walking across his keyboard computer and that's how he gets his names

View More Replies...
View more comments
#26

Madam X

Madam X

Report

Kristy P
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Their logo reminds me of Al's men's support group "No M'am" on Married With Children

View More Replies...
View more comments
#27

Metal Band

Report

Hans
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These guys do not take themselves too serious. Chapeau!

View More Replies...
View more comments
#28

Metal Band

Report

#29

Crimson Glory

Crimson Glory

Report

#30

Tunnel Of Love

Tunnel Of Love

Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#31

Night Jamming Band

Night Jamming Band

Report

#33

Metal Band

Michael Angelo Batio

Report

Enrico Zabeo
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no, he isn't Michael Angelo Batio, he is Randy Piper from W.A.S.P. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Piper

View More Replies...
View more comments
#34

Krank

Krank

Report

#35

Metal Band

Report

BusLady
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet some of those poses weren't easy to hold.

View more comments
#36

Metal Band

Report

CheeseOnToast
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The despairing guy in the middle has just realised that no one remembered to bring a basketball.

View More Replies...
View more comments
#37

Metal Band

Report

hobbitly
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're wearing 3 different bands shirts, this is not a band, just some fans.

View More Replies...
View more comments