David Draiman Faces Backlash After Missile-Signing Controversy at Black Sabbath Finale
Disturbed frontman David Draiman is at the center of a storm following his booing at Black Sabbath’s final concert, Back to the Beginning, on Saturday, July 5, at Villa Park, Birmingham. The backlash stems from his publicized act of signing missiles destined for use in the Israel-Palestine conflict, reigniting tensions after Bob Vylan’s controversial Glastonbury performance. Draiman’s missile stunt and Black Sabbath boos mark a dark turn for metal’s unity in 2025!” Draiman faced jeers during his performance of “Sweet Leaf” and “Shot in the Dark” with Tom Morello’s All-Stars, a moment tied to his vocal support for Israel amid the ongoing war.
The Controversy Unfolds
Draiman’s troubles escalated after images surfaced in 2024 showing him signing IDF artillery shells with messages like “F*** Hamas,” a move criticized as endorsing violence in Gaza. This followed Bob Vylan’s June 2025 Glastonbury set, where their pro-Palestine stance and anti-establishment lyrics drew ire from some, including Draiman, who condemned the act online. The contrast fueled outrage, with fans and activists labeling Draiman’s actions hypocritical given metal’s anti-war roots. At the Sabbath gig, his appearance with a supergroup—including Jake E. Lee, Mike Bordin, and Scott Ian—met with boos and middle fingers, a reaction widely linked to his political stance.
Fan and Industry Reaction
Posts on X reflect a split: some decry Draiman’s missile-signing as complicit in civilian deaths, while others defend his right to express views. The Birmingham crowd’s response, suggests a broader rejection, amplified by the concert’s charitable focus on Cure Parkinson’s and children’s hospices. Disturbed’s upcoming Dublin show in October now faces boycott calls, mirroring past cancellations tied to Draiman’s politics.
What Do You Think?
Why do you think Draiman was booed? Is this hypocritical compared to Bob Vylan’s backlash the other week? Tell us below—your voice matters in this metal morality debate.
David Draiman Faces Backlash After Missile-Signing Controversy at Black Sabbath Finale @RockNews
The difference is, that one human sang lyrics expressing an opinion against an aggressive group.
The other, happily signed actual misille’s they knew are being used to kill people.
No it was appropriate he was heckled. You cannot sign a missile that is destined for Gaza where it in all probability kill and injure 100s of Palestinians including children.
Signing bombs used to kill more than 55,000 Palestinians, including 17,000+ children and babies, while the IDF shoots toddlers in the head while starving them, is encouraging genocide and it’s a heinous crime. Chanting for the death of these war criminals who brag about how many babies they’ve killed shows of the outrage felt at Israel’s impunity. Being heckled for supporting it is nothing compared to what these indigenous people have suffered over 77 years of brutal colonization.
I was a fan until i saw him signing a missile soon to be dropped on Gaza.
Disgusting… that society is unbelievably evil. Truly evil.
Disappointed.. a lot… 🙁 Why Draiman? Why mixing politics and music? .. 🙁
why, why would you do that? what kind of souless creature signs a bomb destined to annilate unarmed, unprotected civilians in tents. sick and twisted.