Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor has stepped into a battle of egos surrounding Australia's Soundwave Festival by telling Courtney Love to "shut up and play".

Love withdrew her band Hole from next year's rock and metal festival after she was left infuriated when promoters placed Limp Bizkit higher up on the line-up.

Love engaged in a Twitter war with Soundwave promoters, calling Hole's billing beneath headliners System of a Down, Marilyn Manson and Slipknot as "sexist claptrap," according to Fasterlouder.com.

"What bloody flight of crazed fancy made you think we'd open for Limp dude? No offence that's nuts," she said.

Promoter AJ Maddah hit back by promising fans he would book a bigger acts to replace Hole at Soundwave's seven dates in February and March.

Taylor described Love's attitude as "gutless" and suggested the singer should be grateful for any booking her band is offered.

"It's like Courtney you haven't released a big album in how long? Get over yourself and stop wading wading around in your own drama," the Slipknot singer told AAP.

"You've got to take steps to get back to where you want to be, you don't just come right back in and you're on top.

"That's a gutless way of looking at things and it's unfair to Limp Bizkit. Shut up and play."

A reconciliation seems unlikely with Maddah refusing to back down to Love's demands.

"Like we were going to ask her (Courtney Love) permission every time we book a band. No point taking her back, only for her to cancel later, or turn up and act like a rotten t**t to other artists and fans," he tweeted.

"Tbh (to be honest) I am really mad about this. I was given so many assurances that this would not happen when I took the booking."

AAP