Album art is essential. These are the covers by which we initially judge our musical books, and while great music can rise above bad album art, an awesome sleeve can certainly ensure a closer listen to the record within. So from time to time, I like to focus more on the visuals than the music itself.
I give you Italian thrash metal group Satanika's 2013 EP Inquisitor, which features a cover that I instantly fell in love with -- long before I actually gave it a listen. Just look as these chonky demons, clearly rampaging through the cemeteries of Earth, embodied in forms that invoke not only traditional Minotaur imagery but also twisted vegetation and mandrakes. It invokes a gnarly comic book/metal vibe and is just the right mix of horror and Masters of the Universe charm for me.
The art, according to Encyclopedia Mettalum, is that of Belarusian-born painter Andrei Bouzikov -- and you can explore more of his work right here. He has been quite prolific in the metal scene over the years, though this particular cover isn't featured on his website. I sense the influence of Wayne Barlow and Zdzisław Beksiński in the weird surrealism of his work. You'll find more than a few root-headed devils amid Andrei's various zombies and mutants. It's wonderful stuff.
And Satanika's music? I have to admit, the cover art alone forced me to lean into this one a bit and it's a pretty solid thrash/death metal vibe. I'm glad I did. Have a listen:
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