Beauty Among The Abyss: The Art of Timo Ketola

A celebration of his works as he leaves behind a legacy with his passing.

The year that keeps on taking has taken one more. This time, it is Timo Ketola, one of metal's most renowned and accomplished artists - an artist that we ourselves have featured time and time again for his paintings illustrate a madness that pairs well with those who craft it's soundtrack.

Born in Finland's southern capital of Helsinki, Ketola has crafted illustrations of all kinds, including posters, album covers, and logos, for the likes of OPETH, WATAIN, SUNN O))), TEITANBLOOD, DEAD CONGREGATION, MALTHUSIAN, and tons more. His oil paintings are as organic as it gets, resembling that of a living, breathing depiction in comparison to a digital one. His collaborative approach was welcoming and engaging as he formed relationships with bands across the underground spectrum, leading to subsequent commissions for shirts, album covers, and more. He was a man shrouded in mystery, never one to take on interviews or elaborate on his creative process, and rightfully so. Timo may have left the world today, but his art will forever live on.

We honor his name and bring you some of his best visual endeavors:

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SERPENT NOIR - Eromysticism

DEAD CONGREGATION - Graves of the Archangels

CHAPEL OF DISEASE - .​.​.​And As We Have Seen The Storm, We Have Embraced The Eye

KRYPTS - Remnants of Expansion

TEITANBLOOD - Seven Chalices

LVCIFYRE - Sacrament

DEATHSPELL OMEGA - Fas - Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem Aeternum

ALTAR OF PLAGUES - Mammal

ABHORRENCE - Intransigence

HISSING / SUTEKH HEXEN - Split

MORTUUS - Grape of the Vine

WODENSTHRONE - Curse

VULTURINE / AIN SOF AUR - Qliphotic Death Worship

OMMADON - End Times

NECROS CHRISTOS - Nine Graves

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Let the above covers serve as a testament to the power of Ketola's oil paintings, the likes of which will forever hold a place in metal's rich history. Long live, Timo Ketola.