Internal Conflict and Label Disagreements
Bad Wolves guitarist AJ Rebollo confirmed his departure from the heavy metal band on Friday. The decision follows intense friction regarding a planned cover of Dolly Parton’s 1973 classic Jolene. Rebollo stated his resignation is the final nail in the coffin after two years of creative and business disagreements. He highlighted that the band members explicitly informed their record label, Better Noise Music, of their desire to abandon the release after the country music icon died on Tuesday at age 80.
Rebollo argued that moving forward with the track would be seen as a transparent attempt to profit from Parton’s death. Despite the internal opposition, the label intends to proceed with the release this Monday. The song will feature the band’s metal arrangement without Parton’s vocals. While the label plans to donate proceeds to the Imagination Library, a charity founded by Parton to provide books for children under five, Rebollo feels the intent remains tainted. He noted that the band and its individual members had no interest in pursuing the cover under these conditions.
A History of Contentious Business Practices
This dispute serves as a breaking point for Rebollo in a broader pattern of frustration. The guitarist claims the label consistently overrides decisions made by the musicians. He stated that the band members are exhausted by the ongoing struggle to enjoy their work while business decisions are made over their heads. This has caused significant stress for the group. The negative feedback and online harassment directed at the band due to these external choices have taken a toll on the members' mental well-being.
Bad Wolves has experienced numerous lineup changes since forming in 2017. Original vocalist Tommy Vext left in 2021, and subsequent members like guitarist Doc Coyle and bassist Kyle Konkiel departed in 2025. The group recently introduced a new singer, Sara Killboy Skinner, who has already faced public scrutiny. On Wednesday, the band was removed from a tour with Christian rock group Skillet following baseless fan claims regarding Skinner. The constant turnover and public drama have defined the band’s trajectory as much as their music.
The Precedent of Zombie
The decision to release the Jolene cover echoes the band’s 2018 release of The Cranberries’ track Zombie. That cover was recorded shortly before the death of lead singer Dolores O’Riordan. Unlike the upcoming Jolene release, the band successfully collaborated with O’Riordan on the Zombie track, which turned into their most significant commercial hit. It spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and earned a three-times platinum certification in the United States.
Still, the current situation feels different for those involved. Rebollo points out that the label is pushing for this release despite the inability to include Parton’s own voice on the track. The industry significance of this move is high. It raises questions about how labels manage legacy artist catalogs and whether artists have enough power to block releases they find distasteful. As Bad Wolves navigates this latest exit, fans are left wondering what the future holds for a band that has been caught in a cycle of instability and controversy for years.