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)

#5

Motörhead

Motörhead

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#9

Tunnel Of Love

Tunnel of love

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FanDaPanda
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5 years ago DotsCreated 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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#13

X Japan

X Japan

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#15

Venom

Venom

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#16

Shotgun Messiah

Shotgun Messiah

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#19

Rhapsody Of Fire

Rhapsody Of Fire

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Quinn Nix
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5 years ago DotsCreated 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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Rob Chapman
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is NOT a metal band. These are three female Japanese wrestlers. Condor Saito, Dump Matsumoto and Bull Nakano

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Bryan Waggoner
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy c**p.. I thought you were joking but I googled on the off chance your weren’t. Too funny!

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Kjorn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what's with the nunchucks? that's like the third i see

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Marylyle McCue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a photo of Japanese women wrestlers from the 1980's. Condor Saito on the left, Dump Matsumoto in the middle, and Bull Nakano on the right.

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高橋宏明
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are female professional wrestlers, not a heavy metal band

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Fia Flame
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They look like they belong in a starter circuit Wrestling Organization.

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Hans
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Frankie went to Hollywood, ate everything, came back...

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Michelle Dodson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You gotta admire their confidence. At some point they looked in a mirror and said, "I look good".

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Cheryl Wilcox
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was wondering what the hell goes on in men's heads and then I find out whatever it is happens to women too!!! WTF

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Danish Dynomummy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They must be so proud, looking at old photoalbums with the grandkids

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#21

Metal Band

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Wynand
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5 years ago DotsCreated 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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#23

Metal Band

Crimson Glory 

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Bored Bear
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5 years ago DotsCreated 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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#25

Detsorgsekalf

Detsorgsekalf

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Kjorn
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5 years ago DotsCreated 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
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5 years ago DotsCreated 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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#30

Tunnel Of Love

Tunnel Of Love

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#31

Night Jamming Band

Night Jamming Band

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#33

Metal Band

Michael Angelo Batio

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Enrico Zabeo
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated 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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#35

Metal Band

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#36

Metal Band

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CheeseOnToast
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5 years ago DotsCreated 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
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5 years ago DotsCreated 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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