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)

#1

Manowar

Manowar

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    #2

    Young And Broke Motley Crue 1980

    Motley Crue

    lovekillseveryone Report

    #3

    Manowar

    Manowar

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    #4

    Metal Band

    Report

    #5

    Motörhead

    Motörhead

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

    Lemmy think about this for a second

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    #6

    Vepri Suicida (Wild Boar's Suicide)

    Vepri Suicida Report

    Luis Milian
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is so bad, it stays bad.

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

    "Sorry, dudes, my dad insists on being in the band. It's his garage. Besides, he's the only one with a truck to get our equipment to the gigs."

    Toujin C'Thlu
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's pretty much what I was thinking when I saw this photo.

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

    ...and now we know why the boar killed itself.

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

    the second to the right looks like Bobcat Goldthwait

    Alexey Lipatov
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry, but Vepri Suicida (Wild Boar's Suicide) is a hoax, that band never existed. But this photo is of a real band Udar (The Strike).

    W K
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Ok Drummer, now peek out so we can see you... slide your hand over your bandmate's thigh and show off your drumsticks! Rar! You're a Drummer! Let 'em know it! Rar!

    Oleg Kartsev
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Quiet not correct. It is Belorussian (East Europe) metal band from Brest UDAR (eng. HIT)

    Roody Pootain
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I went to school with that chick second from the left...

    Roody Pootain
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I went to school with the chick second from the left...

    Rich Travers
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    little known fact...being lead singer of Verizon Suicida was Sam Kinnison’s side hustle

    Hannah Ingram
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it's like one of those family photos that your mother just keeps insisting you get closer towards your sibling

    Rebekah
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The gentleman in the brown silk and pearls looks like he uses spray on hair in a can.

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

    It looks like the guy on the right is wearing pizza print pants.

    Laura Metcalf
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is THAT Sam "The Screamin Man" Kinnasan ? 3rd guy to the right?

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

    A correct translation would be Wild Boars of Suicide. Not that it really matters, because there was no Vepri Suicida, the band on the photo was actually named Udar.

    Dmytro Shostak
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Greg Link
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Surprised there hasn't been a reunion tour announced yet.

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

    I hope they all listened to their own name...

    Jo Bebe
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The one on the left: "Dude my mom said no more stealing makeup"

    Laura G
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The drummer’s kinda cute.

    Sebastian Melmoth
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Photography by Chet McGillicuddy at Olan Mills inside the Sioux Falls Walmart (employee of the month, 5 February 1982. Super job, Chet!...)

    Anna Martin
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The two on the right...a ventriloquist and his dummy! Lol

    Wij
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    squat like a slav......please ...........do that instead of....this.

    oceanb69
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like they got in their moms makeup

    Ronel du Plessis
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look like some thing from Wayne's world

    Molly Block
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No. Just NO. Notice how not many of these men in these pics have tattoos? They might have helped a little. A LITTLE. As in MINISCULE.

    trix
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well they tried. That's something. I guess.

    Bob Beltcher
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The drummer looks 14 and the man to the right of him 40ish lol

    Cheri Hayes
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think that the actual translation is "Suicide Monsters". Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

    Aaron Kara
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope this isn't what they do full time

    Notsoboredpanda
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it me or do they all look related?

    diane a
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    2 and 4 are definitely related, as are 1 and 3. Probably all related to each other as well.

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    #7

    Stryper

    Stryper

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    #8

    Stovokor

    Stovokor

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

    I see some Klingons circling Uranus.

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    #9

    Tunnel Of Love

    Tunnel of love

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

    Im picking up on some notes of w***y wonka with a hint of drugs and alcohol.

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    #10

    Manowar

    Manowar

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

    is this whole post a photoshoot of Manowar? xD

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    #11

    Judas Priest

     Judas Priest

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    #12

    Pretty Boy Floyd

    Pretty Boy Floyd

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    #13

    X Japan

    X Japan

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

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

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    #14

    Black Death

    Black Death

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    #15

    Venom

    Venom

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    Lotte
    Community Member
    7 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

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    #16

    Shotgun Messiah

    Shotgun Messiah

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

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

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    #17

    Metal Band

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    #18

    TWATT

    TWATT

    Awkward band and musician photos Report

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

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

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    #19

    Rhapsody Of Fire

    Rhapsody Of Fire

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    Quinn Nix
    Community Member
    7 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?

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    #20

    Awkward Metal Band Photo

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

    Frankie goes to Hollywood, the later years.

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    #21

    Metal Band

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    Wynand
    Community Member
    7 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!

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    #22

    Funny Awkward Metal Bands Photos

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    Jason M
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please tell me their band name is Die-abetes.

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    #23

    Metal Band

    Crimson Glory 

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    Bored Bear
    Community Member
    7 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."

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    #24

    Metal Band

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    #25

    Detsorgsekalf

    Detsorgsekalf

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    Kjorn
    Community Member
    7 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

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    #26

    Madam X

    Madam X

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    Kristy P
    Community Member
    7 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

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    #27

    Metal Band

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

    These guys do not take themselves too serious. Chapeau!

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    #28

    Metal Band

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

    Looks like Batman could use a new cape.

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    #29

    Crimson Glory

    Crimson Glory

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    #30

    Tunnel Of Love

    Tunnel Of Love

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

    Takes name of band wayyyy to literally!

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    #31

    Night Jamming Band

    Night Jamming Band

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

    Looks like REO Speedwagon on Halloween

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    #32

    Metal Band

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    #33

    Metal Band

    Michael Angelo Batio

    Report

    Enrico Zabeo
    Community Member
    7 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

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    #34

    Krank

    Krank

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    Eagle Girl
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you let your sister do your make up

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    #35

    Metal Band

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

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

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    #36

    Metal Band

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    CheeseOnToast
    Community Member
    7 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.

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    #37

    Metal Band

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    hobbitly
    Community Member
    7 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.

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