Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider has gone to war against those who – and we quote – “misuse the horns”.

The iconic frontman is fed up with people who have no idea about metal using the horn signs in the most inappropriate situations, and he wants this to stop.

“You know, I have seen it happen all over the place,” he tells Classic Rock. “Even the AOL organisation are using it in a new advertising campaign. So I decided to start a website, http://www.takebackthehorns.com/

“The aim is to raise awareness at what’s going on, and get people talking about it. There is a part of this that’s serious, but it’s also got a tongue in cheek element to it. But I’ve been surprised at how much reaction there’s been from so many headbangers around the world!

“I don’t want non-metallers taking the piss out of the music we all love. They should use the peace sign or the middle finger. But when an office worker with nothing better to do with his hands throws the horns…that’s wrong!

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are chic shops selling Slayer and Motorhead T-shirts. How crazy is it when you see a designer-style Slayer shirt on sale for $300. Some people think it’s cool to do the horns – ‘Hey, look at me. I’m a headbanger’ – while others are doing it as a mockery.”

Snider also hopes to unify the entire metal community.

“Solidarity, my friend, that’s an aim here. There are too many factions in metal these days, all having a go at one another. If my website can unite us all against a common enemy…then I’ll have achieved something.”