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
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lemmy think about this for a second

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    #7

    Stryper

    Stryper

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    #8

    Stovokor

    Stovokor

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

    is this whole post a photoshoot of Manowar? xD

    Devon Daquelente
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Okay, on three we all flex. Ready? 1...2...3! Aw, dammit you guys. Now I'm the only one that's going to look stupid in this pic"

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

    The Village People called...they want their wardrobe back.

    Max L.
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP is trying to tell us something

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

    How can these dudes do this with a straight face. Their mothers must be proud.

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

    Disgusted and aroused at the same time...

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

    Are those muscles painted on?

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

    Soooo... 1) they pioneered those weird panties/chaps combo before they went viral in 2017, and 2) is it just me or do those abs look fake

    Aunt Messy
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now we know where he stores his lunch....

    glowworm2
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The guy in the front is always the one who wears the least amount of clothes in this band apparently. XD!

    Tommy O
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    is it manowar or attention whore, I forget?

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

    That guy's abs are going to be above his nipples soon. Must have been photoshop v1.0

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

    So...moustache man only owns the one top?

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

    I wouldn't personally take it quite as far as DeMaio overall, although I've thought of using chaps on stage at some point!

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

    The one in the center only works out his abs.

    Melissa Hemphill Guajardo
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stickin' with the Chaps, huh fellas??? yeeesh....

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

    Even for the 80s this looked ridiculous

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

    What is with this band and fists? XD

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

    manowar wins every-single-time

    Jo Bebe
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Sandra Kennedy-Heausler
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like Vin Diesel on the right. With 80's hair, of course!

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

    They've got it, so they flaunt it.

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

    Thought the guy in white on the right was Vin Diesel with a perm!

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

    They seem angry

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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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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

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    Enrico Zabeo
    Community Member
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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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