The Art of Metal: Dan Seagrave

  

Dan "The Man" Seagrave Himself in Picture

Due to too many posts waiting in the queue, I decided to release them this week in the global language only - Polscy czytelnicy wybaczcie!

I wasn't sure, if I wanted to start another series or not, but I certainly felt obligated to write about the all-time favorite artist. Simple as.

Born 1970 in the land of eternal rain, England (albeit it seems like he moved to Comfy Canada, wonder if the constant raining had something to do with it). I've found these rather old interviews, which you SHOULD read, as I don't want to repeat myself, or copypaste stuff. Plenty of valuable info:

Nihilistic Webzine

No Echo 

It's kinda hard to believe, but his earlier works belong to not-so-serious stuff like Metal Duck or Lawnmower Deth, albeit he already scored some early hits with Warfare's live album, and the only release by Desecrator. All of these bands were on RKT label, which was Seagrave's first home, before he moved to Earache, and became their go to artist, as well as Roadrunner Records too. 

My first taste of Seagrave's art were same as everyone elses: Vader, Morbid Angel, Malevolent Creation, Carnage, Entombed, and later with Benediction, Dismember, Seance, Gorguts, or Suffocation, to figuratively only name the few.  He certainly contributed to the explosion of Death Metal in the early 90s, as per general three factors - Florida + Roadrunner / Earache + Seagrave.

When the Metal's popularity waned in the late 90s, it seemed as if Mr Seagrave would move onto other projects, alas, the fashion is known to come and go. As such, starting with Decrepit Birth, slowly, but surely, Mr Seagrave's works returned to popular fold. Since at least 2014, he regularly keeps creating new cover art for both hungry youngsters, as well as refined veterans.

Dan Seagrave's art is pretty iconic, which is both his strength, as well as weakness. The topic of his works are various etherealms, either devastated, or hidden from the civilization, with numerous spikes, and sharp shapes, and very sinister, menacing atmosphere. But at the same time, it's been a while, since he brought anything else to the table. While his earlier works quite often featured clear themes and motiffs, his newer output unfortunately follows the familiar formula. I would never dare to criticize the works of The Man, but while the covers are done with extreme attention to detail, they do not produce the same awe as the old covers did. But still, the guy is a legend, and my opinion will never change that. The artist deserves your worship, and you can do it here:

Dan Seagrave's website: https://www.instagram.com/seagraveart/