Metal’s cultural influence is no joke. There’s a reason why it’s one of the world’s fastest-growing genres—its music is all about rejecting the mainstream and opposing authority, and that’s why it continues to resonate with so many listeners today.
However, metal doesn’t just uphold those beliefs through the use of heavy riffs, percussion, power vocals, and strong lyrics. They extend to the metal aesthetic—and that’s arguably why it has a significant chokehold on fashion, a form of art that also promotes rebelliousness through more visual means of self-expression.
Judas Priest’s frontman, Rob Halford, is specifically credited with influencing heavy metal fashion in the ‘70s. His use of leather and studs—borrowed from Soho’s gay club scene—allowed him to dress in a way that matched the intensity of his band’s music. More importantly, it delivered a rebellious aesthetic that still speaks to both old and new generations of listeners.
However, leather and studs aren’t the only accessories associated with the genre. With many of the metal’s most influential musicians donning sunglasses, these stylish specs are now considered part and parcel of its culture and lifestyle. Here are a few artists who prove just how crucial they are to the genre:
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy has one of the most unique voices in the genre. That’s why, once you hear the opening bars of iconic songs like Paranoid and Iron Man, you immediately know you’re listening to Black Sabbath. Of course, metal’s aptly dubbed Prince of Darkness has a reputation to maintain, which is why he’s often spotted sporting dark leather jackets, pants—and, of course, tinted sunglasses. However, Ozzy’s eyewear choices do more than just reinforce his aesthetic. As someone who’s experienced various eyesight issues due to multiple sclerosis, he requires sunglasses with prescription lenses for vision correction. Similar to the Armani Exchange 0AX4101S and Ray-Ban 0RB4292N models you’d find at Target Optical, their dark lenses and round frames perfectly hug the contours of Ozzy’s face—and pay tribute to the specs worn by one of his biggest musical inspirations: John Lennon. These characteristics have made sunglasses essential to Osbourne’s overall metal aesthetic.
Slash
Guns N’ Roses’ legendary lead guitarist is probably the first person who comes to mind when you think of metal musicians who wear sunglasses, and you’d be right to think so. Slash is rarely seen without his signature top hat—and, of course, a pair of Ray-Ban’s iconic Aviators. The resulting look helps him appear effortlessly cool on stage. Contrary to popular belief, however, that’s not why he wears them. In a 2015 interview, Slash revealed he relies on sunglasses for one key reason: to avoid direct eye contact. “It makes me very uncomfortable to look directly into the face of the crowd,” he explained. “I’m in my own little world, playing my guitar. I play from the heart—but it’s very insular.” Slash then added that he stopped taking his sunglasses off in public the more media attention Guns N’ Roses received, and even more so as smartphones became more popular. This particular technological development further exposed him to flashing lights as more people sought to take his picture, leading to him keeping his sunglasses on more often. Despite how different his motivations are for doing so, however, there’s no doubt that his frequent donning of the specs has led to more metal listeners associating sunglasses with the genre.
Antero Manninen
Apocalyptica is one of the most eccentric bands in today’s metal scene—instead of rocking the crowd with electric guitars, it uses cellos. Its rebellious take on classical instruments has made it wildly successful, and it’s sold over four million albums worldwide. Yet of all the classically trained cellists that make up the Finnish act’s roster, only one wears sunglasses to gigs on a regular basis: Antero Manninen. Known for keeping a stoic face while performing, he pairs his cool demeanor with classy suits and sunglasses with dark lenses. Their small, metallic frames with harsh angles and black lenses give him a colder, more confident look that studies find helps add an element of mystique to his appearance—in fact, Antero is popularly known among fans as “Mr. Cool.” All these things help strengthen his band’s metal aesthetic even further.
Iggy Pop
Active with The Stooges as early as ‘69, vocalist Iggy Pop is arguably one of the earliest and most influential figures in metal. This Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has undeniable stage presence—and as someone who helps define the genre, it’s no wonder brands reach out to collaborate with him to promote products his fans find relevant. Among his latest partnerships came in 2022, when he worked with eyewear label Cutler and Gross to design and release his very own range of sunglasses. Additional creative input from The Great Frog—a jewelry company Iggy frequents—helped him integrate pretty metal features into the collection’s models, which are appropriately named the Reaper, Dagger, and Crossbones. The fact that these big brands reached out to Iggy to release sunglasses just goes to show how much these specs have come to be associated with the genre.
