The turbulent new chapter of Bad Wolves has taken another unexpected turn.
Guitarist AJ Rebollo has announced that he is stepping away from Bad Wolves, issuing a lengthy and remarkably candid statement in which he says he can no longer remain part of a band whose major decisions are being made for them by their record label.
Rebollo announced his departure on Friday, August 28, explaining that the decision wasn’t prompted by a falling out with his bandmates. Instead, he pointed toward mounting frustration with the business surrounding Bad Wolves and, specifically, decisions he claims have been made on the band’s behalf despite opposition from the musicians themselves.
“This will be a long one, so if you don’t want to stay for the whole thing, the main point is — I am making the decision to step away as a member of Bad Wolves,” Rebollo wrote.
“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.”
Rebollo joined Bad Wolves as a touring guitarist in 2023, following his time with Issues, and eventually became a full member of the band.
According to Rebollo, disagreements over decisions surrounding Bad Wolves had been building for some time. The breaking point came with Better Noise Music’s decision to move forward with the band’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” following Parton’s death.
A Collaboration With Dolly Parton That Never Happened
The circumstances surrounding “Jolene” make Rebollo’s departure considerably more complicated than a typical disagreement between a musician and record label.
Bad Wolves had recorded a heavy metal interpretation of Parton’s classic for their upcoming album. According to Bad Wolves founder and drummer John Boecklin, the band’s version eventually reached Parton’s camp through Better Noise Music CEO Dan Waite and Parton’s manager, Danny Nozell.
Parton reportedly heard the band’s version, liked it and planned to record vocals for the collaboration. The band had already sent stems to her studio engineers in preparation for her contribution.
Parton’s death made that collaboration impossible.
Better Noise subsequently announced that Bad Wolves would release “Jolene” on August 31, with proceeds from the track benefiting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the literacy program founded by Parton in 1995.
According to Rebollo, however, multiple members of Bad Wolves opposed releasing the song following Parton’s death.
“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,” Rebollo wrote.
He said the band feared releasing the track immediately following Parton’s death could be interpreted by the public as an attempt to capitalize on her passing.
According to Rebollo, the label moved forward anyway.
“They went ahead and posted that we were releasing it anyway, despite efforts from more than one member, myself included, to oppose it.”
Rebollo Says the Problems Went Beyond “Jolene”
While the disagreement over “Jolene” appears to have been the final breaking point, Rebollo made it clear that his frustration extended beyond the release of one song.
He described an ongoing struggle over the amount of control the musicians themselves have over decisions involving Bad Wolves.
“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.
He also addressed the reaction the members receive from fans when controversial decisions are made around the band.
“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.”
Rebollo contrasted the situation with his experience in Issues, saying his former band enjoyed considerably more autonomy and describing their relationship with their label as one in which the musicians’ creative vision was trusted. He also stressed that his criticism wasn’t directed at everyone associated with Better Noise Music.
“There are some undeniably incredible people at Better Noise,” Rebollo wrote, while maintaining that he could no longer accept having his name and face attached to decisions he opposed.
Rebollo specifically acknowledged the decision to donate proceeds from “Jolene” to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as a positive one.
“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 wrote.
Boecklin, meanwhile, presented the upcoming release as an opportunity to honor Parton’s legacy and support the literacy work she championed throughout her life.
“With ‘Jolene,’ being able to use our platform to help deliver critical funding to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, we know that we can contribute to Dolly’s vision of giving access to books and improving literacy,” Boecklin said in the announcement of the release.
The conflicting statements reveal a significant divide between how the release was publicly presented and Rebollo’s account of what was happening behind the scenes.
“I Have No Interest in Being a Vessel”
Despite his criticism of the decision-making surrounding Bad Wolves, Rebollo also thanked the label and Boecklin for helping him financially during the band’s time away from touring.
“There was a level of care there that is definitely not lost on me,” he acknowledged.
Ultimately, however, he said maintaining control over his involvement in music outweighed that security.
“I have never been one to allow my art and decisions within the music world to be compromised, and I have no interest in being a vessel for what I believe to be terrible decisions.”
Rebollo acknowledged the uncertainty that comes with leaving an established touring band, describing his decision as “absolutely terrifying.”
“Music is my job, my livelihood, and most importantly, my passion,” he wrote. “Stepping away from this is absolutely terrifying as I am sacrificing what little I have left when it comes to stability within the music world. I do not know what the future holds for me regarding that.”
No Bad Blood With His Bandmates
Rebollo was equally clear about what his departure is not. He emphasized that his statement wasn’t intended to encourage attacks against Bad Wolves, Better Noise or anyone involved in the decisions he criticized.
“This is not, by any means, some sort of call to arms against anyone, nor do I wish ill will on anyone involved in the label’s decision making.”
He also made it clear that he remains proud of his time with Bad Wolves and the music the current incarnation of the band has created.
“I absolutely loved the time I got to spend with the band,” Rebollo wrote. “I love them all (the old and new members) as bandmates, people, and friends.”
Rebollo also praised Bad Wolves’ forthcoming album, calling it “a genuinely incredible piece of art.”
“But this is a decision I just have to make.”
Rebollo’s departure comes during an already complicated period for Bad Wolves. The band entered 2026 with another revamped lineup and introduced Sara “KILLBOY” Skinner as its new vocalist earlier this summer with the release of “Paint It Red.”
Now, before that incarnation of Bad Wolves has had much opportunity to establish itself onstage, another member has departed.
And unlike the usual carefully worded announcement citing “creative differences,” Rebollo’s explanation offers an unusually direct glimpse into what he says has been happening behind the scenes.
For Rebollo, the decision ultimately appears to have come down to something much more fundamental than one cover song: whether an artist can continue putting their name behind a project when they no longer believe they have meaningful control over decisions being made in that project’s name.
As of publication, Better Noise Music has not publicly responded to Rebollo’s allegations regarding the label’s decision-making.
Bad Wolves’ version of “Jolene” is currently scheduled for release on Monday, August 31, with proceeds benefiting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
SOURCES:AJ Rebollo — Statement posted to his official Instagram account, August 28, 2026.
NextMosh — “Bad Wolves guitarist AJ Rebollo leaves band over label decisions,” August 28, 2026.
ThePRP — “Guitarist AJ Rebollo Steps Down From Bad Wolves, Blames Label Pressure To Release Dolly Parton Cover Despite Band Opposition,” August 28, 2026.
Live Metal — “Bad Wolves guitarist AJ Rebollo exits as label readies release of Dolly Parton cover,” August 29, 2026.
BraveWords — “BAD WOLVES Honour DOLLY PARTON With Their Version Of ‘Jolene,'” August 28, 2026.
Better Noise Music / Bad Wolves — “Jolene” release announcement and statements from John Boecklin, August 28, 2026.
