Bad Wolves guitarist AJ Rebollo quits over band’s Dolly Parton cover, accuses label of ‘ill intent’

Bad Wolves guitarist AJ Rebollo has quit the heavy metal band, saying the decision to release a cover of Dolly Parton’s smash hit “Jolene” was the “final nail in the coffin.”

Rebollo revealed Friday that he stepped down after two years, accusing its record label, Better Noise Music, of “ill intent” by releasing the Parton cover just days after the country legend’s death.

“I am making the decision to step away as a member of Bad Wolves,” Rebollo wrote in a statement on Instagram on Friday.

Bad Wolves guitarist AJ Rebollo quit the band, accusing its label of “ill intent” for releasing a Dolly Parton cover days after her death. Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

“In short, I can no longer in good faith remain a member and co-sign the decisions constantly being made FOR this band by the label, among other issues I have with the inner workings of the business.”

Parton had been expected to add vocals to the band’s heavy version of her 1973 hit, but the collaboration was no longer possible after the “Jolene” singer died Tuesday at 80.

Better Noise Music is still planning to release the song Monday, without Parton’s vocals, with proceeds benefiting her Imagination Library, which provides free books to children from birth to age 5.

The band teased the cover as recently as Friday afternoon.

However, Rebollo said the band had made its position clear to the label that they had “no interest” in the song anymore.

Parton, who died Tuesday at 80, was expected to add vocals to the band’s heavy version of her 1973 hit “Jolene.” USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Dolly Parton’s family attends her funeral at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville, Tennessee, Aug. 28, 2026. Christopher Oquendo for NY Post

“We, as an entity, told the label we had no interest in releasing the cover after learning of Dolly’s unfortunate passing as her collaboration on the song was no longer a possibility, and we felt it would (understandably) be interpreted as somewhat of a capitalization on her passing from an outside perspective,” he wrote.

“They went ahead and posted that we were releasing it anyway, despite efforts from more than one member, myself included, to oppose it.”

“While the donation to her Imagination Library is an incredible choice to do something good with the profits, I can’t help but feel there is ill intent behind the decision to release the song,” he added.

AJ Rebollo announced his departure from the band in an Instagram statement Friday. @ajbends/Instagram

Rebollo claimed the dispute was part of a larger problem with how the band’s business decisions were being handled.

“With the label completely disregarding numerous decisions we make out of passion, and ultimately just unknowingly exhausting the band’s attempts to fully enjoy being here, I am no longer happy here,” Rebollo wrote.

“The amount of hate, negativity, and harassment we receive on a daily basis due to decisions made outside of our control has taken a massive toll on our sanity.”

The band opposed releasing the “Jolene” cover without Parton’s vocals, fearing it would capitalize on the country legend’s passing.

Bad Wolves faced a similar situation in 2018, when the Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan died the day she was meant to record vocals for the band’s cover of “Zombie,” which was released without her.

“Zombie” became the group’s breakout hit, topping Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart for three weeks and eventually going three-times platinum in the US.

Bad Wolves has gone through repeated lineup changes since then. 

Bad Wolves faced a similar situation in 2018, when Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan died before recording vocals for “Zombie.”

Original singer Tommy Vext left the band in 2021, while guitarist Doc Coyle and bassist Kyle Konkiel departed in 2025.

Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz, who replaced Vext, later left to join Falling in Reverse, and the band introduced Sara “Killboy” Skinner as its new singer this year.

The latest fallout came Wednesday, when Bad Wolves were dropped from Christian rock group Skillet’s upcoming tour after fans falsely claimed Skinner was a “trans OnlyFans b—h.”

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