Blog Post // 2021-05-10

Captivating Album Art

I love creativity! Though I don't generally consider myself to be an artist, I feel like I often think in pictures and learn better from seeing things visually. And when the mood moves me, I can create non-traditional art. So, when I think of artwork attached to music, it seems like it makes total sense that a beautiful piece of music would be presented along with artwork that fits it.

I am not sure how much album artwork matters to most fans. I wonder if some people don't even see artwork. If you listen to digital music files on a device and don't get a physical product in your hand, it is easier to dismiss the details put on there. I know myself, I can listen to something great with mediocre art, but when there is a nice design, it just adds to the experience - ties up the loose ends. It tells me more of the thought process and associations in the music. Sometimes, it is so great, I just want to get my hands on some merch.

The following is a list of album artwork that I personally feel is impressive. I am only focusing on the visual portrayal here. This is based on when I came across the artwork. Some of it is from bands I love, and some has enticed me to want to hear these bands, but I haven't yet.

Here are 16 to start!

Harakiri for The Sky

Maere is an absolute beauty to behold in so many ways! The album artwork is done by Art of Maquenda. I think the band utilized this artist's best qualities. I might not have even realized it was his artwork if I hadn't seen his name. I love the fox, wolves, and birds. It is interesting how they decided to show the bones and the animal's internal frame, in addition to the outside you would normally see in a picture. I would love to know the meaning behind the band wanting to showcase the skeleton. I wonder if it is literally, almost turning yourself inside out, revealing the deeper parts. The use of only a few colours keeps it looking natural. The depictions of being out in nature speaks to me, personally. The lines are thin and simple, but combine to make an elegant picture. It is my most-treasured music art, at the moment. I would hang most of it on my wall.

I also really like their artwork on previous albums!

Rivers of Nihil

I love the theme that was used for Where Owls Know My Name, which is one of the reasons I like the artwork. The artwork for the album was done by Dan Seagrave.

The idea that the man featured on the cover is the last on the planet, and he has to watch it die. You can actually see the despair in his face. He looks spent. I like the use of greens, and how the the stump-filled terrain still has a beauty to it. On the other hand, being alone, you have no one to answer to other than yourself.

They also have some great merch artwork associated with this album that I would love to get my hands on. There is a beautiful design I saw on a hoodie, with an owl and a skull, done in my favourite colour, yellow. I have also seen other merch done in bright, fantasy-esque style, which I like!

Mastodon

They seem to always keep things colourful and interesting. Feels like something from a dark, but majestic, fantasy world. It is hard for me to choose my favourite between the artwork for Leviathan and The Hunter. They both stick out to me. Nice and colourful, with a sense of fiction. They were done by separate artists, but both have a trippy feel.

Leviathan was done by Paul Romano, and though it isn't what I would envision the great leviathan, creature of the sea, to be, it is attractive. It has a dangerous aspect to it, especially to us folks that are nervous about what lurks underwater.

The Hunter cover features the artwork done by AJ Fosik. His creations are interesting because they are sculptures. Again, this creation has an anxiety edge to it, as the animal looks like he has encountered something terrible. I picture it being a creature that is being hunted, and the look of horror is probably on both the hunter's and the hunted's face. And yes, clearly this isn't an average creature, with it's three sets of jaws.

Be'lakor

Two of their album covers left an impression on me when I saw them: Of Breath and Bone, and Stone's Reach.

Of Breath and Bone was originally an oil painting done by Gabriel Ferrier. It is a very old piece of art, which I think is very cool. It is a great depiction of children's folklore. To me, the story of Red Riding Hood is one of the most unsettling kid's stories. It was part of the reason I spent so much time scared of a wolf trying to befriend and make dinner out of me, as a child. I like that the girl in the art still looks pretty innocent and ignorant. She doesn't have any fear. This person actually looks like my Kindergarten best friend. I like how realistic this picture is.

Stone's Reach was painted by Fulop Miklos. It was based off of a picture done by Gianfrancesco A, of a statue in Piazza della Signoria in Florence city centre. It is a great depiction of mythology: Persueus with Medusa's head. I actually like Medusa. I don't know a tonne of mythology, but she stood out to me. I think she had a tragic fate, as she became a monster, but her abilities as a monster are very cool (the snakes and turning men to stone). Let's face it, she is interesting, even if her fate isn't good. And this painting makes you take a second look so you realize the story behind it.

Tool

I like the effort that has always been put into every piece of art that has come out with their music. Seeing the naked art inside of the Undertow cover seemed dramatic at the time, and apparently caused controversy. A lot of their artwork and videos were done by Adam Jones, the band's guitarist. I think it's cool when a member of the band is talented in this way as well. Their videos always felt awkward, with some level of tension. Many of their newer album's art features literal moving pieces, literal 3D video experiences. Alex Grey is the mastermind behind the multimedia approach to presenting their artwork. They don't just do something little; they go big. Though none of it is anything I would hang on my walls, they have potent creativity.

Gloson

The artwork struck me when I heard Gloson. The album cover was designed by Ogino Design. It seems to be done in pin-point light on dark, with the tiniest details. I am really into the one- or two-colour thing. Makes me think of when I had to do point art in art class, though my creation of my dog wasn't anything close to this. The boar featured on the Yearwalker cover is nicely done. An animal done so precisely, the blood being the only colour drawing attention from the light and dark. It becomes clear that this animal is actually quite dangerous. The background looks quite dreary. I am not sure if that is supposed to be a third eye, or a pool of blood between his eyes. I lean towards blood, because clearly it has been violent, looking at his tusks. And of course I also think this beast is cute! Dangerous, but cute, category.

The Great Old Ones

EOD - A Tale of Dark Legacy's cover was done Jeff Grimal. I like the contrast of the blue water and the red, yellow, and orange sky. It really highlights the fury going on in the sky. The indirect shape of the tentacles from a Lovecraftian creature. I like the texture. It appears to be painted. I also like that is is somewhat abstract, so it takes a minute to see what is going on. It has an edge of mystery.

Revocation

I enjoyed the Deathless cover; it is what drew me into listening to the album. Tom Strom is the creator of this piece. He is a tattoo artist, and has other art projects outside of his tattoo work. He does oil, acrylic, watercolour, graphite, pen and ink, and sculpture. He actually had done tattoos for David from Revocation prior to this project. What a cool tattoo artist! I think some tattoo artists are amazing artists, period. I actually described this picture in my album review, but overall, I like the fantasy feel, even though it is a dark scene. I have to be honest; some of his art is too dark for me.

I also really like Teratogenesis' cover, though I don't know who created it, nor have I heard the songs on it (other than one of them). But I will rectify that situation. I think it is the colour on this piece that makes all the difference. It brings it to life.

Slugdge

The artwork makes me smile, lifts me up. I particularly like Dim and Slimeridden Kingdoms. The slug in the water with the fish in its mouth - it's just the right amount of ridiculousness, next to the more viscous slug! Gastronomicon is hilarious, too. The wizard, the naked woman (gotta find a way to get one in there), the pure size of this slug and level of fury! And I like that they stuck with their theme. These two pieces were done by a friend of the band, Zen O'Connor.

Swallow the Sun

Lumina Aurea is such a despairing portrayal of loss. It was done by Liiga Klavina. The front of the album cover's colours that stay dark and muted, but are outlined with black, make it stand out in a very cool way. The details of the reflections on the water, the way you can't see the woman's face, the hand in the water that leaves a bright trail that you wish you could follow, the lines that make the air feel thick. The back of the album is also well done. It further illustrates the loss, and the fact that there is no choice. She has to let go of the burning flame in her hand, even though she doesn't want to. She now has wings and has transformed. The colours are dark, but the shades of darkness feel detailed with the dark lines. All extremely fitting artwork for a song that embodies losing Aleah.

Vukari

Aevum was done by Dawid Figielek. What I like about it is the sense of bravery. The person looks so tiny compared to his surroundings. It would be easy to let fear take over in this kind of setting, but it doesn't feel like a moment of giving up. I like how it stays in a colour palette, and doesn't stray from it. It has a part of the rock that seems to be lit up and hopeful. There is also the sky that is lit up and seems inviting. I think I will take this as an invitation to check out this band.

Ellende

Todbringer apparently means Death Bringer in English. I like all of the artwork I have seen by this band, but this one stands out! It feels melancholy; not gruesome, but indicative of pain. Kind of makes me think of someone waiting for death to come. Though this has a fantasy feel and doesn't seem to want to look like a real rotting skeleton (which I appreciate), it also has that magical feel, when you take something and make it animated. In this situation, it is being used to portray sorrow, yet still has a lightness about it. I think it is brilliant to have blood pouring out of the chello, indicating that the song itself has a sense of injury or hurt, but the skeleton is still compelled to play it. The use of muted colours and not clearly defined lines makes sense for this scene. And apparently this was done by LG - the person responsible for the creation of the music in it's entirety.

GreenLeaf

The Rise Above the Meadow front cover artwork is something I would hang on my wall. I am not sure who the artist is. The contrast of darker lines on colour emphasizes things nicely. I like that it is a small world of animals. It is interesting that the front is bright, and the back is in darker colours. This draws your attention forward. Nice shadowing. This picture somehow feels like it is very colourful, but actually stays in only a few colours in different shades. Feels like a world of only forest.

Immortal Bird

Empress/Abscess struck me the first time I saw it, and every time after. The artist who created it is Kikyz1313. Overall, I am not a fan of her work, but I think that this picture utilizes her best qualities. It just feels like it is symbolic of a child going through hard times, and maybe having to take on too much. The look on her face, as well as the state of her skin, tells me that she isn't doing well. Her mental health is being held onto by a thread. Obviously, I don't like the idea of a child struggling so hard, but in reality, children do struggle and don't get recognized in the realness of it. I have never had a good experience with large birds; they are very territorial and aggressive. So, having a bird in this girl's face is dangerous. There is no one to protect her. I like that the picture is done as a close-up, so it feels very personal. Overall, it is disturbing, but makes a point.

Katatonia

The Fall of Hearts was done by Travis Smith. Apparently, he has done many well-known pieces of artwork for bands. What I like about this cover artwork is that it is done in shades of grey. It feels so muted and full of sadness. Many people don't like ravens, yet seeing one falling on it's back indicates an issue. Birds falling out of skies shouldn't happen. The backdrop seems pretty barren, other than the tree. I like that even though it is in shades of grey, there is lots of detail in the wings, and even the ground.

Vials of Wrath

Dark Winter Memories caught my attention and apparently it is also done by Liiga Klavina. I am sold on this style of artwork, with the use of fine lines that bring out the details. I like that this is the forest. The details around the trees make me think of how misty it can be, depending on the time of day. It also makes me think it is swampy, which is what a lot of the forest is like around here. Though I think it is meant to seem eerie and dark, it doesn't seem overly so to me. There have been many times when I am in the forest, and the only thing I can hear is a raven sitting on a branch and calling out.