Dee Snider recently took to X to share his thoughts on the ’fractioning of metal.’ He pointed to Manowar as one of the reasons behind this divide.
In response to a user who commented, “Back in the day, I don’t think anyone was hung up on subgenres as they are now,” Snider wrote, “The fractioning of metal really started in the late ’80s. One of the first bands I remember supporting this was Manowar. One of their battlecries was that they were ’true metal.’ I have always fought for unity in the genre and acceptance of our diverse styles. We are all family!”
Manowar and Twisted Sister had conflicts during the 1980s. They often took jabs at each other, with one notable incident escalating to a near fistfight.
Reflecting on the conflict years later, Snider admitted he acted ’like a complete idiot’ at the time. Since then, he’s consistently emphasized the importance of unity and support between metal bands, often bringing this message up in his interviews.
The singer commented on how the fractioning of metal has only worsened since the 1980s in a 2016 interview with Metal Hammer. “I was in a Black Sabbath tribute band. There was a unity, a Woodstock nation and the heavy bands came together and you supported them,” he recalled.
“Then, all of a sudden in the early ’80s, it started to faction, and you had this kind of metal and that kind of metal. I always fought for unity because I said we were so oppressed and were such a small section of the music world that to further cut it into smaller and smaller pieces and fight among ourselves weakens us, it doesn’t strengthen us.”
“While you don’t have to be a supporter of all different kinds of metal, at least be supportive,” the vocalist added. “Recognise that we are all part of a sort of dysfunctional family. Strength in numbers. If we try to break it down the way some people want to break it down, then all you’re gonna have is a bunch of club shows.”
Snider retired from Twisted Sister in 2016 after a farewell tour but kept making music with solo albums, including ’For the Love of Metal’ and ’Leave a Scar’. This year, he announced the band would reunite to play at political rallies.
The fractioning of metal really started in the late 80s. One of the first bands I remember supporting this was @MANOWAR. One of their battlecries was that they were “true metal”. I have always fought for unity in the genre and acceptance of our diverse styles. We are all family!
— Dee Snider🇺🇸🎤 (@deesnider) October 25, 2024