And the BEST album covers are...

[Zzzptm]

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.

[Jack the Stripper]

I can sense a top 10 in this one. Could be fun.

[Charger]

Now that would be a list I couldn't possibly take part in...no way I could ever choose only 10 artworks...no way.

[Jack the Stripper]

Just list 10 you like. Won’t hold you to being your definitive top 10 

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Maybe limit it your favourite cover from 10 groups?

[Jack the Stripper]

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.

[Jack the Stripper]

I suppose I’ll kick mine off. I won’t put them in any particular order. Just 10 that I love.



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.

[Zzzptm]

I'm going to do way more than 10.

And if you do a top 10, feel free to add in your honorable mentions!

For the Rising cover:

[Zzzptm]

I've mentioned that I like Lynn Curlee's art for H&H. Here's another Curlee cover that I like to pore over:

[Jack the Stripper]

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.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I really must get my 10 sorted!

[Zzzptm]

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!

[Zzzptm]

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.

[Jack the Stripper]

Continuing on with my favourite album covers.



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.

[Vyn]

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.