7 Rock Albums That Were Pulled from Stores for Controversial Art

Some classic rock albums didn’t just stir up attention for their music—they sparked backlash for what was on the cover. Whether it was shocking, misunderstood, or simply seen as inappropriate at the time, several albums were pulled from shelves soon after release. Some were recalled by record labels, while others were banned by major retailers. In many cases, new artwork had to be made just to get the album sold.

The Beatles – Yesterday and Today (1966)

The Beatles’ album “Yesterday and Today” initially featured a cover known as the “butcher cover,” depicting the band in white coats with raw meat and dismembered dolls. Intended as a satirical piece critiquing the adulation afforded to the Beatles, the image sparked immediate backlash. Retailers found the imagery disturbing, leading Capitol Records to recall over 50,000 copies and replace the cover with a more conventional photo of the band around a steamer trunk. ​

Guns N’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction (1987)

Guns N’ Roses’ debut album originally showcased Robert Williams’ painting “Appetite for Destruction,” illustrating a robotic figure assaulting a woman. Due to its graphic nature, many retailers refused to stock the album. Consequently, the band replaced the cover with an image of a Celtic cross featuring skulls representing each member. The original artwork was relegated to the inner sleeve. ​

Blind Faith – Blind Faith (1969)

Blind Faith’s self-titled album featured a cover of a topless young girl holding a silver spaceship. Photographer Bob Seidemann intended the image to symbolize innocence and technological progress. However, the cover was deemed inappropriate, especially in the U.S., leading to its replacement with a photograph of the band. ​

Slayer – Christ Illusion (2006)

Slayer’s “Christ Illusion” album depicted a mutilated Christ figure surrounded by severed heads, painted by Larry Carroll. The graphic imagery led to the album being recalled and destroyed in India following protests. An alternative cover was issued for conservative retailers uncomfortable with the original artwork. ​

Aerosmith – Nine Lives (1997)

Aerosmith’s “Nine Lives” initially featured artwork inspired by Hindu imagery, showing Lord Krishna with a cat’s head dancing on a snake. The depiction offended members of the Hindu community, prompting protests. The band and their label apologized and replaced the cover with an image of a cat tied to a circus knife-thrower’s wheel. ​

The Black Crowes – Amorica (1994)

The Black Crowes’ “Amorica” album cover displayed a close-up of a woman’s pelvic area wearing a U.S. flag bikini bottom, with pubic hair visible. Sourced from a 1976 Hustler magazine, the image led to the album being banned from several American chain retailers. The band later released a censored version with the explicit content blacked out. ​

Tool – Undertow (1993)

Tool’s “Undertow” album included liner photos of a nude obese woman, a nude thin man, and band members with pins in their heads. The provocative imagery led to the album being removed from stores like Kmart and Walmart. In response, the band released an alternative version featuring a giant barcode on a white background. ​