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ROCK AND ROLL! => All Them Other Guys => Topic started by: Zzzptm on September 16, 2020, 09:00:09 AM
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Album covers. Kids buying the MP3s or the CDs or Cassettes don't know from album covers. Back in the day, a truly awesome album meant not only a great record, but an awesome 12x12 cover that you could immerse yourself into as you relaxed in the beanbag chair with your headphones on...
So, what were the BEST album covers, the ones you loved to stare at as you got into the music?
One of the first to come to my mind was Motorhead's No Remorse leather cover. Not only was the silver cover painting detailed and lovingly crafted, but I could *smell* the cover all I wanted and get that great leather whiff. I didn't really smell my other covers, not quite like that.
Art-wise, Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here always captivated me, as did Zeppelin's gazillion photos for Physical Graffiti.
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I can sense a top 10 in this one. Could be fun.
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Now that would be a list I couldn't possibly take part in...no way I could ever choose only 10 artworks...no way.
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Just list 10 you like. Won’t hold you to being your definitive top 10 ;)
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Maybe limit it your favourite cover from 10 groups?
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Could do that I suppose but I reckon I would’ve had at 3 Priest ones in there that I’ll find hard to leave out.
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I suppose I’ll kick mine off. I won’t put them in any particular order. Just 10 that I love.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/58D2D9F3_255D_4E74_B10D_EE2C015618BC.jpeg)
Iconic cover wonderfully illustrated by one of my favourite fantasy artist Ken Kelly who also did “Destroyer“ and “Love Gun” for Kiss as well as many of Manowar’s album covers. I was heavily into Ken Kelly’s artwork in the 80’s and collected quite a few of his prints and a book of his art.
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I'm going to do way more than 10. :D
And if you do a top 10, feel free to add in your honorable mentions!
For the Rising cover:
:applause:
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I've mentioned that I like Lynn Curlee's art for H&H. Here's another Curlee cover that I like to pore over:
(https://img.discogs.com/6Q5oRd-NGh2j8ZmDOtFfbrZxIB8=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-1758307-1564748390-8869.jpeg.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/6B01B6A6_EA5E_429A_8430_BF836824F4F4.jpeg)
Epic cover for an epic album. Don Brautigam(R.I.P.) did the illustration for this who was a world class painter/illustrator but not a prolific metal cover artist. The ones he did do though were all brilliant and on point. Anthrax’s Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, State of Euphoria & Persistence of Time albums along with Motley Crue’s Dr Feelgood and The Ritual by Testament are some of his other metal cover illustrations of note. The original Master Of Puppets art sold for $35,000USD back in 2008.
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I really must get my 10 sorted!
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/6B01B6A6_EA5E_429A_8430_BF836824F4F4.jpeg)
Epic cover for an epic album. Don Brautigam(R.I.P.) did the illustration for this who was a world class painter/illustrator but not a prolific metal cover artist. The ones he did do though were all brilliant and on point. Anthrax’s Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, State of Euphoria & Persistence of Time albums along with Motley Crue’s Dr Feelgood and The Ritual by Testament are some of his other metal cover illustrations of note. The original Master Of Puppets art sold for $35,000USD back in 2008.
This one's a true epic cover, well chosen, sir!
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(https://img.discogs.com/enbEEmx8Cq7ffOAaR5SAYzPnLA4=/fit-in/600x586/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-10356205-1495904025-7234.jpeg.jpg)
I first saw this when I was like 5 years old. Blew my mind, as I had previously thought that the most adventurous comics could be was Peanuts or Wizard of Id. I see this, and I was suddenly open to LOTS of possibilities.
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Continuing on with my favourite album covers.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/(edited)_8CC85A4F_B7E8_4CE8_BDE3_208023BD3F72_IMG_2402.jpg)
This is one of my absolute favourite Priest covers. The “Winged Warrior Hellion“ captured magnificently by Canadian artist Doug Johnson who’s only 3 metal album covers were all for Judas Priest. Love the sharp polished aesthetic with his Priest illustrations.
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(https://img.discogs.com/4pksUxrO8KAnI8IOg1SbqxXAqdg=/fit-in/600x606/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-378698-1407158809-2608.jpeg.jpg)
Taking the motif from an iconic Elvis album cover and using it in a way that conveys "FU" to the old guard because times have changed and they ain't better. Every song on that release can be described in terms of the raw, pissed off energy displayed on the album cover.
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Both of those are awesome ones.
Hipgnosis could be counted on for great covers, sometimes better overall than the record inside, to wit:
(https://img.discogs.com/P3XWdfeuN3ucTbMA8YaYcPpbqpI=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-2209138-1269953739.jpeg.jpg)
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I may rank these later on once I've finished posting, but for now I'll post these as I come across/remember them:
New Model Army are not reknowned for great covers, often they are simple with no great artistic flair. But there are a couple that stand out:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/93/TheGhostofCain.jpg)
... their 3rd album The Ghost of Cain, a prince among leather jackets!
But my favourite cover by them is their 5th album Impurity, I just love the colour and snake image
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/86/NMA_impurity.jpg)
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Another psychedelic cover that I've loved through the years...
(https://img.discogs.com/lcaNDTtBOojvbG2a5Fo8xdfzFXI=/fit-in/600x606/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-538636-1435321700-7614.jpeg.jpg)
Those hungry freaks, daddy...
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/AD878711_77A3_4B78_ABDE_81D6AC41DDAE.jpeg)
Dio’s behemoth mascot Murray lurking from behind jagged mountains, whipping a long chain and ensnaring a helpless Priest struggling to keep his head above water is one of the most iconic metal album cover illustrations from the 80’s. Artist Randy Berrett absolutely nailed it. One of my all time faves. I’ve still got the poster of this album art that I use to have on my bedroom wall growing up.
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(https://img.discogs.com/aHVcflQEK6Np8VpyNO_TrXpRGFA=/fit-in/600x450/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-12778063-1541770283-9381.jpeg.jpg)
I had loads of fun getting headaches looking at all the 3D stuff. I like an album cover with lots of stuff going on, and this is one of those covers.
I also love simplicity and wit:
(https://img.discogs.com/A5CIWM5JLIAra6LO5fvsSRnbhnM=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-431746-1350020053-2354.jpeg.jpg)
That Zappa was able to take one of Roger Price's droodles and make it into a song was joy.
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Nearly all of the albums Jack has posted are what would be on my best album covers lists too...maybe not all in top 10 but still...
Only I would pick Painkiller over Screming from Priests catalogue and Killing The Dragon or The Last In Line from DIO.
DIO has actually been one of the most consistantly brilliant in cover arts...not a single bad cover in the whole bunch. Sacred Heart is bit cluttered and Angry Machines is bit cartoony but they are still better than 80% of album covers out there.
Savatage is another band that has had a pretty damn impressive cover art catalogue...Streets being the only miss with only featuring a picture of the band...that always seemed little off and cheap and out of ideas to me...it's always like: "Damn man....we don't have a cover art for our album...we should hire someone to make us one, have any ideas? No..damn...well shit...let's just take a picture of ourselves and be done with it"... The easy way out. I've never liked album covers with just the band members pictured...
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I agree on Dio and Savatage, they put some effort into covers.
As opposed to, say... The Beatles. I mean, an all-white cover? Really? Thank goodness for the lyrics poster inside, because the album cover gives us NOTHING.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/C406AE1D_8C96_4AB0_8611_C4A6CB267A88.jpeg)
I could’ve had any one of 5 Iron Maiden covers(and I just might include another one) but I always found Powerslave one of the more interesting and detailed illustrations Derek Riggs did for Maiden, ingeniously incorporating Eddie into ancient Egypt, further opening up the character and growing his legend. Also, as were a lot of Derek’s Maiden illustrations there’s lots of little hidden messages and cryptic clues to be found which had you studying the cover for hours upon bringing it home for the first time. Back cover is great also.
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Savatage is another band that has had a pretty damn impressive cover art catalogue...Streets being the only miss with only featuring a picture of the band...that always seemed little off and cheap and out of ideas to me...it's always like: "Damn man....we don't have a cover art for our album...we should hire someone to make us one, have any ideas? No..damn...well shit...let's just take a picture of ourselves and be done with it"... The easy way out. I've never liked album covers with just the band members pictured...
Yep Savatage had lots of great ones, these are my two favourites.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/5E5172BB_6833_4985_9F38_5FEBB2F68A4B.jpeg)
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Hands down, Powerslave is one of my favorite covers. SO MUCH going on, from the massive electronic pyramid down to finding "Kilroy was here" in the details.
From the modern era, I offer up Sasquatch's Maneuvers as a cover I love to stare at:
(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2166253434_16.jpg)
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For my next choice I'll go with Gillan's Future Shock, a solid album from the early 80s.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7f/Future_Shock_-_Gillan.jpg)
The cover is perfectly nice, but what I preferred was the images/paintings which are part of the booklet which came with it (I can't find those images on line sadly).
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(https://img.discogs.com/bRa-OboAOsm4jztc1uShM06sTvg=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-7838343-1535739727-7244.jpeg.jpg)
A tip of the hat to Roger Dean, who did excellent work for Yes, as well as this little band called Uriah Heep...
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Powerslave is another stellar one.
Future Shock as well...always liked that space age styling. It's got a strong late 50s vibe to it.
I'll throw in the third Charred Walls Of The Damned album cover here:
(https://www.metalblade.com/us/covers/CharredWallsOfTheDamned-CreaturesWatching.jpg)
It is one of the creepiest covers I've ever seen...
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Oh and this great cover just turned 30!!!!!
(https://img.discogs.com/SR9k38zxTjRtzo6h4aIGkNFJqtk=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2538295-1549198316-2224.jpeg.jpg)
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^^^
Well, that's one I'll knock off my list then! Fantastic cover.
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I had Rust In Peace queued up next so will go with this instead which I love just as much...
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/8F9E1319_CD91_4E1F_A661_B78E664C5D40.jpeg)
Peace Sells... But Who’s buying? was artist Ed Repka’s first of many memorable commissioned pieces for Megadeth which featured smug realtor “Vic Rattlehead” leaning over a “For Sale” sign in New York City with the United Nations building in disarray and ablaze behind him.
Great cover for a clever title.
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^^^^
I think if RIP wouldn't have turned 30 just now I would have put that one up instead. :)
I gotta put this one up too from Jon Oliva's Pain...
The nightmare fairground of Festival also has a very special feel to it:
(https://metal.academy/uploads/releases/5ddce0d56cf7094281ffc090d56f461a.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/CF2BF445_4299_49E3_A636_2B6BFD4CCACC.jpeg)
Artist Patrick Woodroffe's brilliant Fallen Angel artwork depicting a forlorn grounded Angel surrounded by flames perfectly complemented the dark & depressing themes of this album. It also marks the first time the bands iconic trident symbol was used.
Absolutely love this cover.
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So before someone else posts it....
(https://www.grayflannelsuit.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/mob-rules-black-sabbath.jpg)
I think this is my favourute Sabbath cover but a few others come close (particularly SBS). Good covers were never a given with the Sabbath boys just remember Born Again! ;)
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^^ Yeah but I think they had more passes than fails over their whole catalogue though. H&H, MR, SBS and the one below which I had as my next pick are the obvious standouts artistically and effect wise.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/5504F5A0_C279_447D_AC9A_F9398B46984B.jpeg)
Always been taken by the genuine spookyness and eeriness of this cover which is due a lot to it being a real shot and not a drawing or illustration. The washed out colour effect really accentuates the eeriness of the image.
Probably the most iconic cover in metal of all time.
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Gonna do one more to finish mine and I know it makes 3 Priest albums I’ve included but I just can’t leave this one out.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/aa333/DAMAGEDsINCe85/0BACD7D1_CE8E_4D44_A54A_EA31CEFE88CF.jpeg)
As iconic an image that there’s been in metal and a great example of how something as simple an idea as having a hand cloaked in darkness with fingers clutching a razor blade with the bands logo inscribed on it and aptly named British Steel can be so effective and impactful.
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My next cover is from another band who don't always have great covers:
(https://img.discogs.com/K8DSpedXx9N-M5SeMPZUM_IhiYk=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-510965-1194028667.jpeg.jpg)
The Black Album by The Damned reflects the move to a more gothic style hinted at in their previous album. A very effective cover.
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^ JtS is bang-on for British Steel. Makes you WANT To hear that album.
And I also liked that Damned cover, definitely signaling a sea change for the band.
On the fun side, I *had* to get this album when I saw the cover:
(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a1010070801_16.jpg)
I'm a sucker for the movie Robot Monster, one of the worst ever made and it's so bad, it's good. An album of stoner rock based on one of the most legendary of B movies should look exactly like this.
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My 5th choice:
(https://www.thisdayinmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/bat-out-of-hell-2-758x758.jpg)
Meatloaf - Bat Out Of Hell
I don't care what anybody thinks of the actual music (I really like it!) the cover set the groundwork for hundreds of Metal albums to come. I do wonder if Meatloaf wished he was Rob Halford with a cover like this!
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^^It is a great cover, regardless if one likes the music or not.
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^^It is a great cover, regardless if one likes the music or not.
The cover made me buy the album and I was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo let down. I would look at the cover while listening to other bands, the cover was that good.
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^^^
The album is patchy, I really like about half of it, the rest is kinda indifferent.
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I liked the title track, "All Revved Up" and about half of "Paradise by the Dashboard Light".
The material worked a lot better live, when I saw it on SNL.
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My 6th choice:
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41iHqPG6gKL._SX355_.jpg)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery
The iconic Gieger image may well be my favourite cover of all time (TBD!), I just love the industrial/macabre imagery of the artwork.
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Oh yeah, that's a treasure of a cover there.
Another one I loved to play with, even though the album itself disappointed, was the crop rotation calendar-inspired wheel inside the LZ 3 cover:
(https://img.discogs.com/mhUBAaTFbj-QdHzmVkIP9_rv240=/fit-in/600x588/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-5743324-1401645059-8235.jpeg.jpg)
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The early 70s had lots of collage-style presentations. I like This one from Fred Wesley & the J.B.s as well as the one for A Question of Balance by The Moody Blues...
(https://img.discogs.com/lEPUV1kPrHMBEs1Q0sZkzi-J7jE=/fit-in/593x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1679972-1303616158.jpeg.jpg)
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81I65UNi36L._SL1412_.jpg)
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Number 7
(https://img.discogs.com/0AgrDgafehy5N8u7WaSmm3YqRz4=/fit-in/600x597/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-10079189-1491238342-3674.jpeg.jpg)
Not their best album, but I can't think of a better album cover by Rush, they didn't always have good covers but this one is lovely.
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^ WAY better than Power Windows, for sure!
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#8
(https://cdn.spindizzyrecords.com/uploads/2019/04/R-13443996-1554327825-7954.jpeg.jpg)
Snaggletooth never looked so good.
I also considered Overkill and Bomber, but many of their other albums are a bit same-y.
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Inferno and Overkill are their finest covers for sure....Orgasmatron is a great one too...
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(https://static.billboard.com/files/media/Janis-Joplin-Pearl-greatest-album-covers-billboard-1000x1000-compressed.jpg)
One of the best rock and roll photographs. I have always loved this album cover.
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(https://static.billboard.com/files/media/Duran-Duran-Rio-album-covers-billboard-1000x1000-compressed.jpg)
Can't stand Duran Duran, but I love the work of Patrick Nagel.
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#9
(https://www.metal-archives.com/images/5/4/9/9/549929.jpg?2932)
Iced Earth - Burnt Offerings
This is the cover from the re-issue rather than the original release. Iced Earth always have good covers but they're not always outstanding. But I really like this one.
(A shame that the only good size image I could find also had the sticker on it :()