The Art of Metal: Michael Whelan

 

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

Another artist that requires a mandatory mention is no other, but Mr. Michael Whelan himself. Born in 1950 in sunny California, before he became an important name for Metal (at least, he SHOULD be), he already was a name among fantasy artists, whose works he represented on covers of numerous literary works, most famously, Stephen King's novels. For his illustrations he received a well-deserved induction into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame (in 2009). Not his only honor, as he also claimed 15 (!) Hugo Awards, as well as reader's choice of Locus Magazine. And while he received many awards, I somehow still feel, like it wasn't quite enough for such an incredible talent. Alas...

For Metal world, Michael Whelan started contribution with semi-legendary act Cirith Ungol and forgotten Sacred Rite, who used (with permission, or maybe not, who knows) already created pieces by the artist. Therefore, I wouldn't really classify them as the "real" start. That would come with the mighty Sepultura. It's also worth noting that he would also create a cover for The Jackson's (yes, these Jackson's) Victory in 1984.

Initially, both Sepultura and Obituary simply licensed Whelan's work for their seminal albums ("Beneath the Remains" and "Cause of Death"), but with the former, a full-cooperation started. Mr. Whelan created the art specifically for Sepultura's next three important albums, which changed the name of the game: "Arise", "Chaos A.D.", and "Roots". That honor of having exclusive piece of art on your front only belonged to Evile ("Infected Nations"), Soulfly ("Dark Ages" - Max strikes again), and Meat Loaf (whatever the album was called). Sometimes less is more.

The final piece of trivia I want to mention is this little piece:

 

As you might have noticed it, it features the rather iconic images in Metal community. It's called "Lovecraft's Nightmare" and was initially featured in Art Books. The left part is obviously known from the aforementioned Obituary's cover, but the left side was used by at least four bands:

Bludgeon - Inner Hell (1998) - probably without permission

Odium - Бездна (1996) -  as above

Demolition Hammer -  Epidemic of Violence (1992)

The Mist - Phantasmagoria (2017 version) - and this one is actually interesting, because their original, 1989 version, actually had a great artist Kelson Frost recreating that cover, due to the band and label's request.

Talking about a legendary piece!

That will be all from me, please check the artist's website! 

Michael Whelan's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofmichaelwhelan/