The Most Epic Beards in Metal
Written By Shaylynn Marks
The metalhead scene has never exactly been known for subtlety, and the beards are no exception. We pulled some of the coolest, craziest beards from our favorite metal musicians. Use these looks for inspiration, then steal a few styling tricks for your own epic metalhead beard.
Photo by Hugo L. Casanova on Unsplash
The Reigning Beards of Metal
(Early) James Hetfield
Band(s): Metallica
Role: Vocals, rhythm guitar
Beard style: Short boxed beard
James Hetfield has experimented with plenty of different beard styles over Metallica’s four-plus decades, but his shorter boxed beard from his younger years proves you don’t need serious length to look like a metalhead.
How to rock it: Keep the cheeks and neckline clean while allowing enough growth for a dense, rugged shape. Regular trimming and a little beard oil can keep shorter hair from getting coarse.
Robb Flynn
Band(s): Machine Head
Role: Vocals, guitar
Beard style: spiked, pointed beard
Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn takes a more deliberate approach, often shaping his facial hair into sharp points that give an otherwise low-maintenance beard some edge. It’s a good option for any metalhead who wants a beard style that’s long, but still distinctive.
How to rock it: A precision trimmer is a must. Otherwise, just use a couple dabs of beard balm to help give it that pointed shape.
Rob Zombie
Band(s): White Zombie; solo
Role: Vocals
Beard style: textured full garibaldi
Yes, men can have signature looks too. Rob Zombie has rocked multiple styles, but his beard always tends to keep its natural texture and volume. One of his most flattering (but still minimal) looks are when he has a rounded garibaldi beard. The softer shape adds a flattering contrast against his long hair and otherwise rougher, horror-heavy aesthetic.
How to rock it: Grow the beard full through the cheeks and chin, then trim the bottom into a wide, rounded shape. Use a boar bristle beard brush to fluff it up and amp up the volume. Then, take a little beard balm to control any flyaways.
Brent Hinds
Band(s): Mastodon
Role: Vocals, guitar
Beard style: Full medium-to-long Spartan beard
The late Brent Hinds brought so much personality to Mastodon, including a thick, unmistakable red beard. Its natural fullness and color made it stand out without needing any elaborate shaping.
How to rock it: Growing this kind of metalhead beard starts with embracing that natural texture by brushing it and using beard oil. Doing this regularly, it keeps your beard hair from becoming dry and minimizes breakage.
Shavo Odadjian
Band(s): System of a Down
Role: Bass
Beard style: Long braided beard
When your mind goes to the metal gods, you can’t say “metalhead beard” without mentioning Shavo. The SOAD bassist has kept a long and narrow beard style (frequently braided) for so many years, probably decades at this point.
How to rock it: You’re going to need extra length to braid comfortably. Apply beard oil or beard balm with your fingertips. Next, gently go through the length with a wide tooth beard comb. Once it’s smoothed out, you’re able to start braiding.
Dimebag Darrell
Band(s): Pantera, Damageplan
Role: Guitar
Beard style: Long dyed goatee
Most memorable for a hot pink goatee, Dimebag Darrell wasn’t afraid to stand out. Pantera’s guitarist’s beard style remains tied to the larger-than-life image that surrounded him.
How to rock it: Keep the cheeks shaved, and let the chin grow long. Use a shaping tool when you trim to keep clean borders. If you aren’t sure about permanent dye but want a weekend of crazy beard color, you can always use a temporary beard chalk or temporary color spray that usually comes in an aerosol-like can.
Justin Foley
Band(s): Killswitch Engage
Role: Drums
Beard style: Long full beard
Justin has been committed to his mug longer than he’s been behind the kit for Killswitch Engage. In a 2013 interview, Foley said he grew his first beard shortly before joining the band, and he’d already been growing one for about a decade. We appreciate that kinda commitment.
How to rock it: For this much fullness, patches and thin spots won’t do. If a long, full beard is your ultimate goal, consider our Zeus BeardPlus product line. It’s a simple 3-step routine to make the thick and full metalhead beard of your dreams a reality.
Johan Hegg
Band(s): Amon Amarth
Role: Vocals
Beard style: Long viking beard
If anyone was destined for a giant beard, it would be the iconic frontman of Amon Amarth. Johan Hegg’s dense, lengthy beard really elevates the Swedish melodic metal band’s Norse imagery. The last time he had a clean shaven face was 1992, and he hasn’t looked back.
How to rock it: I mean, his secret may be patience, but you know the man has got to be washing his beard regularly. With a beard shampoo and conditioner to keep it clean and a sturdy comb to avoid knots, a long viking metalhead beard is sure to stand the test of time.
Zakk Wylde
Band(s): Black Label Society
Role: Vocals, guitar
Beard style: Extra long wavy beard
If you’re a classic metalhead like the legend Zakk Wylde, you’ll eventually get tired of shaving and grow an enormous mane. Decades later, his massive wavy beard (and Bullseye Les Paul) is what you first think of when you hear his name.
How to rock it: At this length, using a beard conditioner to keep it soft is imperative. Without keeping those beard hairs healthy, it can become brittle and break off. The main upkeep will be otherwise brushing it (a few strokes with a beard brush in the morning will do ya fine) and preventing detangling.
Kirk Windstein
Band(s): Crowbar
Role: Vocals, guitar
Beard style: Extra long full grey and white beard
Now, this is a metalhead beard worthy of the king of Olympus himself. Crowbar frontman Kirk Windstein has been bringing decades of glorious sludge metal to the scene with an equally unforgettable beard.
How to rock it: Not only will growing an extra long beard like Windstein’s take a substantial amount of patience, but it will also call for commitment. You need to wash your beard to keep dirt out, condition regularly, and use beard oil both through the length and down to the skin beneath it. You’re best off just buying a grooming set so you have all the essentials.
Photo by Hector Bermudez on Unsplash
Find Your Metalhead Beard Style
As you likely already know, metal really doesn’t have any rules. Use one of these metalhead beard styles as inspiration, and make it your own. You can even subscribe to your fave grooming products so you’ll never run out and save 10%. Now that convenience deserves a breakdown—cue the double base and China!
