Sprawling feats that astound, perplex, and cause one to reminisce.
Words by Luis (@heaviestofart):
Compiling a monthly cover artwork column comes with some compromise, especially when you have months like April 2022 that bombarded audiences with an endless array of top-tier offerings. As we've continued to expand our range to genres beyond those of the metal spectrum, it's clear that the album cover arena is as great, if not greater, than ever before with new technologies and sources of inspiration to look upon. Let this month's selections speak for that statement.
Established talents met trailblazing newcomers last month and Dan Seagrave led the charge with a signature, sinister landscape that paired well with the The Lord's menacing Forest Nocturne. The blue tones alone are a treat to gaze at. Paul Romano bridged his work with that of Mikel Lavanne Elam for a profound sight that serves as an ideal sociopolitical commentary that prefaces the otherwise standout album that is Dälek's Precipice. Pup's joyous nature throughout The Unraveling Of met its match with Jordan Speer, who took a spirited approach to the literal mind-blow he depicted. Arguably one of the most acclaimed bands of today, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard delivered yet another staggering full-length that is represented accurately by the labyrinthine art of Jason Galea. Ben Giles then channels his inner Hieronymus Bosch for Night Gnomes, the exquisite new album by way of Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. Known for his wondrous attention to detail and setting, Petri Ala-Maunus delivers again for Epitaphe's atmospheric II. I spoke at length about Karmazid's artistic wizardry on Heavy Blog's A Gift To Artwork Column, which elaborates on the audiovisual synchronicity of Egregore's The Word of His Law. The same can be said about Jesse Draxler's startling cover for Trace Amount's Anti Body Language and Nicholas Knudson's cover for Nekrogoblikon's The Fundamental Slimes and Humours, both of which were explored further with the bands and the artists themselves. Paolo Girardi, who is a familiar face throughout the site, does it again and exemplifies what oil painting mastery looks like for the newest Deathcrush, Under Serpents Reign. Scroll and let your mind wander below.
Here are the best album covers of April 2022:
The Lord - Forest Nocturne (Dan Seagrave) | Listen
Dälek - Precipice (Paul Romano & Mikel Lavanne Elam) | Listen
Pup - The Unraveling Of (Jordan Speer) | Listen
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Omnium Gatherum (Jason Galea) | Listen
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets - Night Gnomes (Ben Giles) | Listen
Epitaphe - II (Petri Ala-Maunus) | Listen
Egregore - The Word of His Law (Karmazid) | Listen
Trace Amount - Anti Body Language (Jesse Draxler) | Listen
Nekrogoblikon - The Fundamental Slimes and Humours (Nicholas Knudson) | Listen
Deathcrush - Under Serpents Reign (Paolo Girardi) | Listen
As always, thank you for supporting artists responsible for enriching our lives with their creativity. We remain sane because of it. Stay tuned to Heaviest of Art on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for your art and music needs throughout the day.
Comments