20 Rock + Metal Bands Who Followed Up Classic Albums With a Dud

Here are 20 rock and metal bands who followed up a classic album with a total dud.

If achieving greatness was so easy, we wouldn't marvel at it whenever we see it. Greatness defies expectation, bucks the standard and is quite often rather fleeting. And for the ones who to manage to achieve such a status, the desire to stay on top or claw their way back after a fall makes it all the more elusive.

Almost every band falters musically, fracturing due to creative differences, personal tensions and changing industry trends, or a myriad of other reasons.

What we're trying to say is that it's OK if a band puts out a dud. Sure, it's a huge letdown in the moment and may forever taint your perspective of a release, but time usually has a way of sorting a lot of these things out. And, well, sometimes some albums suck no matter what year it is.

Even though you (and we) may enjoy a few of the "duds" you'll see below, there's no denying each marked a major step down (or occasionally sideways) from what the bands had just previously released.

We're not here with knives out, ready to tear a band down, but duds do happen. Now, let's talk about 'em below!