Interview with Master illustrator, Michael Whelan Michael Whelan can be easily considered as one of the greatest illustrators of the last 50 years. His images—usually depicting fantasy worlds, horror scenarios and epic sci-fi— have appeared on book covers written by some of the most important writers of the XX century. These include the mighty Stephen King, Isaac Asimov and Arthur C.…
By 1984, Metallica was already on its way to the top. Sure, they were still a penniless band, short on resources but with an immense sense of drive and determination. Their debut album “Kill ‘Em All” had taken the then-nascent underground Thrash Metal scene by storm and people had begun to take notice. That included…
Exclusive Blackjazz creators Jørgen Munkeby of Shining In this complex and confusing era of post modernity, it’s difficult to predict what’s around the corner, especially where music is concerned. As more and more genres are fired out by schizophrenic cannons claiming the rights to all kinds of vague new takes on whatever-cores and something-beats, it’s…
By Lukas Lancko Originally published in CGArena Magazine #8, 2013, http://www.cgarena.com artwork used for cover of CAMP CHAOS “The World Is Bleeding” http://www.isisdesignstudio.com INTRODUCTION Hello guys, my name is Lukas and today I’m going to share with you insight of one of my latest artwork “The World Is Bleeding” and share with you some techniques…
By Lukas Lancko Originally published in DigitalDesign Magazine #1, 2012 – http://www.digitaldesignmag.com Artwork used for cover of BETWEEN THE PLANETS “Immersion Into The Unknown” Biography I was born in 1984 in Slovakia, Europe. It was 4 years ago I fell in passion with digital art and computer graphics. After finishing my university studies I started…
“One One One” will be available as a digipack containing a 20 page booklet filled with lyrics and artwork designed by famous designer duo Trine+Kim (Enslaved, Solefald, Mayhem, Drakthrone). Shining front man and saxophone superman, Jørgen Munkeby, comments on the process and thoughts behind the cover art: “We wanted to continue the visual aesthetics we…
Interview with Delain frontwoman Charlotte Wessels It’s a sunny spring afternoon as Delain’s spectacular, fiery haired frontwoman Charlotte Wessels sips contentedly from her glass of wine. Her day has been heavily filled with consecutive interviews (and wine) but she shows no sign of slowing down and she’s smiles ahoy as we explore all things recent…
Interview with Spinefarm’s adrenaline junkie Santa Cruz Finland is a country well known for exporting some major names in metal and rock music. Santa Cruz is one of those names. A promising, young band, that stands out with its highly energetic guitar work, powerful lyrics and the ability to deliver a powerful live performance. After the…
Norwegian master painter and album cover designer Truls Espedal Imagination has no limits and Truls Espedal knows it. As one of the most promising painters emerging from the current Norwegian contemporary art scene he’s a living proof of the creative capabilities of the human mind. His paintings are usually focused on hyper realistic details of the human body that set…
Interview with singer and guitarist of Sahg Sahg is a Psychedelic Doom Metal outfit featuring some of Norway finest collection of musicians. Recently released “Firebird” yet again on Indie Recording, provides a different approach to their “I, II, III” catalogue. Spoke to mainman Olav Ivernes on song writing process, creative direction and the mystery behind…
by Pete Alander (Bandmill/HeavyMusicArtwork.com) As times goes by all bands in any music genre must face the facts of changing music industry and re-invent or at least update their concept of producing albums. There must be millions of things you need to discover again as an artist but one of the key points is how…
Interview with Philip Cope of Kylesa ‘Spiral Shadow’, has been extolled throughout the music press and has pushed Kylesa ever closer to becoming a household name. Now, three years later, the time has come for them to produce a sixth album, and the pressure’s on as these guys have been consistently impressing critics and fans…
Interview with British artist Paul Raymond Gregory For more than three decades, British artist Paul Raymond Gregory has been considered as one of the most celebrated Tolkien-oriented painters worldwide. His cover artworks for bands like Saxon, Blind Guardian, Dio among others are equally legendary. Nowadays, he’s also extremely busy supervising the 2013 edition of UK already classic Metal…
Interview with Ballpoint Horror Noir Dennis Dread Dennis Dread is a self-taught artist who creates macabre and fantastically detailed drawings in a heavily shaded style he has referred to as “Ballpoint Horror Noir.” His work regularly appears on album covers throughout the world, including collaborations with such highly regarded musical luminaries as Darkthrone, Autopsy, Abscess,…
Interview with master of the brush Marc Sasso Among his clients there are companies like Lucas Arts, MTV, Warner Bros or Heavy Metal gods such as Rob Halford and the immortal Ronnie James Dio, among others. He’s Marc Sasso, a prolific American artist whose works are now part of recent popular culture via album covers, movies, clothing, video games and more.…
Interview with Malcolm “Scruff” Lewty Hellbastard seem to be very much back in action, tighter, more powerful and still annoyed. Hellbastard bring socially aware lyrics and an unclassifiable form of punk/thrash metal music to the international stage. Founding vocalist/guitarist Malcolm “Scruff” Lewty saw fit to reform the ‘Bastard in 2008. Over the past five years,…
Heavy Music Artwork catches up with infamous Dimmu Borgir front man Shagrath Tonight headline is at Maratona Rock with side project Chrome Division. Current lineup consists of him on rhythm guitar, along with Eddie Guz from The Carburetors as the vocalist, Ricky Black on lead guitar, Björn Luna on bass guitar and Tony White on…
Interview with Canedian chameleon DEVIN TOWNSEND After recording more than twenty albums with different projects and artists, Canadian singer/multi-instrumentalist/musical genius Devin Townsend still has a lot to say. He is perfectionist and relentless but also let his muse and instincts to guide him to new, unexplored sonic worlds. The most recent proof of this is…
Interview with master ink artist Justin Bartlett The Black Ink Warlock, a.k.a. Justin Bartlett, applies boundless visual style to depictions of the arcane. His developed portfolio representing clients of various trades exposes an illustrative language often derived from the occult, where theology and religion meet strife. Here he has mastered visual manipulation of his equally…
Interview with Daniel Valencia – Fenomeno Design Daniel Valencia born in 1981, also known as Fenomeno Design, is a designer/artist from Santiago, Chile. Known for his work with a lot of symbolism and full of darkness for bands such as Blut Aus Nord, Merrimack, Glorior Belli, Kill, Perdition, Inferno, etc. HMA: Heavy Music Artwork welcomes…