The thunderous riffs and pounding drums of metal music are often a backdrop for rebellion and raw emotion. But even within this world of headbanging anthems and fire-breathing dragons, there are lines not to be crossed.
Just like any office, band dynamics can be a combustible mix of egos, creative differences, and maybe a misplaced pizza order. Sometimes, these internal struggles erupt in a very public (and often hilariously dramatic) dismissal for a band member.
Today, we’ll crack open the vault of metal history and unearth the stories of four fallen warriors. We’ll see how they got fired, where they landed, and if they managed to carve out a new path in the metal scene, or if they faded into obscurity faster than a guitar solo on mute.
Chance Garnette
Skeletonwitch might not be a household name, but they hold a solid place in the thrash metal scene. Their early days featured the fierce vocals of Chance Garnette, brother of guitarist Nate Garnette.
Fronted by Chance, the band released five albums, carving their path in the genre. However, things took a turn for the worse. According to reports, Chance’s behavior became problematic.
Allegations of alcohol abuse and aggressive actions surfaced. This ultimately led to his departure from the band. It’s been almost a decade since Chance left Skeletonwitch. He reportedly entered treatment for his alcohol struggles, but beyond that, his current activities remain shrouded in mystery.
Joey Belladonna
Anthrax fans might remember Joey Belladonna’s departure in 1992. While initial reports suggested he quit, Belladonna himself disputes this, claiming he was fired. The exact reasons for his dismissal remain murky. The story doesn’t end there, though.
In 2005, Belladonna and Anthrax reunited for some musical ventures. However, history appeared to repeat itself. Belladonna reportedly found out about his second firing not through official channels, but through a headline online.
Despite this rollercoaster relationship, Belladonna is currently listed as an Anthrax member. Whether this is a recent development or a lingering detail from a past reconciliation remains to be seen.
Chuck Mosley
Faith No More’s early days were marked by a revolving door of vocalists. Before the iconic Mike Patton, another singer left his mark: Chuck Mosley.
Mosley fronted the band during their breakthrough with the album Introduce Yourself. Unfortunately, internal conflict began to simmer. Reports detail clashes with other band members and even an onstage incident where Mosley allegedly fell asleep. This ultimately led to his dismissal.
Following his departure, Mosley continued his musical journey, performing with bands like Bad Brains and Cement. He even had a brief reunion with Faith No More in 2010. Sadly, Chuck Mosley passed away in 2017.
Paul Di’Anno
Iron Maiden, a metal titan that’s dominated the scene for decades, has seen its fair share of lineup changes. One of the most notable is the departure of their original vocalist, Paul Di’Anno.
Di’Anno led the band on their first two albums, delivering a raw and powerful vocal style that helped establish Iron Maiden’s identity. However, his struggles with drug addiction began to impact the band’s momentum. The decision was made to part ways, and Bruce Dickinson stepped in to fill the vocal void.
Despite a relatively brief solo career following his exit, Di’Anno remains a significant figure in metal history. He even returned to the stage in 2023 and has announced an upcoming solo album in 2024, proving his musical spirit continues to burn bright.