Pre-show chat with Johan Söderberg of Amon Amarth Amon Amarth is currently one of the most famous bands in the world, adored by thousands for their distinctive brand of melodic death metal, characterised by “epic-sounding brutality”, compelling melodies, primal vocals and Viking-inspired song lyrics. The band’s name is the Elvish moniker for Mount Doom in…
In conversation with Liv Kristine of Leave’s Eyes Comprised of members from Norway and Germany, female-fronted symphonic rock/metal sextet Leaves’’ Eyes have always displayed as much depth and diversity in their music as they encompass different nationalities. A union between former Theatre of Tragedy singer Liv Kristine and death metal quintet Atrocity, featuring Kristine’s husband,…
To name the best albums of the year has not been easy, and to rank them to top 20 was even harder. After a year of pounding our eardrums with devastating metal, it should be safe to say that metal in 2013 is richer, more creative and ever more eclectic. 20 Rob Zombie – Venomous…
Interview with legendary Greek designer Ioannis Legendary Greek designer, Ioannis, probably holds some kind of world record related to having worked with more iconic bands than anyone else. He’s done artworks for Deep Purple, Fates Warning, King Crimson, Yngwie Malmsteen, Uriah Heep, Allman Brothers, Dream Theater, Quiet Riot, Styx and the list goes on… His…
Set was one of the earliest Egyptian deities, a god of the night identified with the northern stars. In the earliest ages of Egypt this Prince of Darkness was well regarded. One persistant token of this regard is the Tcham scepter, having the stylized head and tail of Set. The Tcham scepter is frequently found…
US thrash veterans speak to Heavy Music Artwork “On our new album we more than ever felt an artistic obligation to our fans to give them a really big-sounding record,” says Katon W. De Pena the vocalist of the American thrash metal act HIRAX. He is referring to Immortal Legacy, the latest release by his…
SACRIFICIUM. Sacrifices or offerings formed the chief part of the worship of the ancients. They were partly signs of gratitude, partly a means of propitiating the gods, and partly p999also intended to induce the deity to bestow some favour upon the sacrificer, or upon those on whose behalf the sacrifice was offered. Sacrifices in a…
In conversation with film and cover artist Colin Marks Colin Marks is a London based artist working primarily within the heavy music/film industry. He has run the personal design studio Rain Song Design for several years, and has worked with bands such as Strapping Young Lad, Exodus, Nevermore, Suicide Silence and countless others. Alongside this…
When creating metal album art it is assumed artist will use more black/red than light red/beige. All the darkness, blood and monsters are known as the conventions of metal but taking a closer look to the colour palettes of famous metal albums gives a slight different result. I took some classic metal albums from Black…
The Runes are not merely alphabetical symbols, used in ancient Germanic alphabets. The history of the Runes stretches back quite a distance and while it is true that the symbols themselves likely find their origin in many cultural sources, the inner essence of the Runes is something truly arcane and Otherworldly. The first hint to the…
Swedish sleaze/punk metal outfit SISTER, loud and in your face! SISTER was formed in early 2006. Glam/sleaze enthusiasts like me will probably remember them as a colourful gang of glammed-out teens who popped up almost out of nowhere. These guys were truly underground back then and everyone dug them thoroughly. There was a lot of…
The 14th century was an era of catastrophes. Some of them man-made, such as the Hundred Years’ War, the Avignon Papacy, and the Great Schism. These were caused by human beings, and we shall consider them a bit later. There were two more or less natural disasters either of which one would think would have…
In conversation with legendary Dan Seagrave Dan Seagrave is not your typical, everyday cover artwork designer. Far from being a common illustrator, he’s a true builder of hyper-detailed scenarios and otherworldly atmospheres. Not in vain, Metal artists like Pestilence, Demon Hunter, Gorguts, The Devil Wears Prada, among others have used his talents in more than one…
There are many parts of the soul in Nordic Mythology. The lyke [lik ON, lic(h) OE] is the physical body itself. The hyde [hamron] is the quasi-physical part of the soul which gives shape and form tothe lyke. It can be formed and mutated by human will and what happens to the hyde happens to…
In conversation with France got talent Eths In their native France ETHS are superstars. The quintet from Marseilles has graced about every music magazine cover in their home country. Their success story began with the release of two EPs, which spread like wildfire and gained the young band cult status. “Autopsie” came out in the…
Since we can remember serial killers have been a popular topic in today’s world, dating back all the way to the 1400’s. A simple definition for a serial killer is person who murders usually three or more people with a “cooling off” period between each murder and whose main intention for killing is mainly for…
Tad Morose reveals art direction for “Revenant” After a long recording hiatus, Swedish power metallers, Tad Morose, have returned with their brand new recording, “Revenant”. The album’s cover artwork, features a furious zombie-like creature emerging from a swamp. Somehow, this image seems to work as a metaphor for a band that came back from the…
Heavy Music Artwork’s Andy Starz rolls the dice with Damn Dice Damn Dice are one of London’s many slick rock’n’roll offspring. One of the best things about them, I’d say, is that they’re a motley group of young French, Italian and English musicians which warms my heart, dear reader, because I’m a big fan of…
Anathema – We are because we are here Anathema’s album ‘We are here because we are here’ has a lot of high credentials attached to the project. It was mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree and chosen as the 2010’s “Prog Album of the Year” by Classic Rock magazine. It was inspired by a…
Heavy Music Artwork uncovers the Spirit of Reckless Love! What’s up all you bizarre decadents and lovers of high-energy rock’n’roll? If you’re into hair metal then you probably know Reckless Love by now. They are one of Finland’s many fine contributions to rock music. Their first two albums Reckless Love (2010) and Animal Attraction (2011)…