The new thread looking back at classic albums that were slated upon their release has me thinking, what albums have great artwork that make you really wish you could like them and wear the tshirt, but the music just sucks too much to be taken seriously.
One that spring to mind for me is Boltthrower 'In Battle There Is No Law'. I bought it not so long ago despite knowing better. I think the artwork is really cool and iconic, and hoped that there'd somehow be more to it than any of the other music of theirs I had heard, but no. The same plodding death metal that gets old after a maximum of two songs. If it was a 7" maybe it would be OK, but it's just boring as fuck. A disgrace to have such a great album cover wasted on such bad music.
Another one that literally pains me due to the absolute brilliance of the artwork that would look great on a tshirt is Amorphis 'Tales From the Thousand Lakes'. How can such a superb and atmospheric piece of art have been wasted on such a total wimpfest. The artwork brings me back again and again in the hope that it will somehow click, that I will realise the true darkness hidden behind the light, but no. Total scutter. A criminal waste of incredible artwork.
My final proposition might raise a few eyebrows. I picked up 'Blood Ritual' by Samael the other day. I have really liked that artwork for a while and hummed and hawed on buying it as it never really clicked when I listened to it. Sticking it on yesterday with the artwork in my hand and reading along to the lyrics I found it a bit of a chore. I'm not giving up on it yet- side B sounded more promising and its simplicity might mean it will be a grower, but there's not a lot jumping out as being exceptional. It's not a patch on Ceremony of Opposites.
What other cool artwork has been used and abused inappropriately or disappointingly?
Edit. I am enjoying Blood Ritual more and more 8)
Jesus controversial there man! :laugh:
No mercy 8)
No to Tales Slander! (Though part of your statement is correct, Tales does look great on a shirt) :laugh:
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on October 18, 2025, 10:33:02 AMNo to Tales Slander! (Though part of your statement is correct, Tales does look great on a shirt) :laugh:
I might go back to it this evening, but every time I return to it, and with the best intentions in the world to give it a fair shake, I switch it off after a couple of songs. There is absolutely no darkness to be found on it. But that sweet artwork....
Agreed on Tales, I'll confess Battle is not my favourite BT record, but I'd argue the music on Blood Ritual is far better than the terrible artwork.
Quote from: Pentagrimes on October 18, 2025, 11:12:01 AMAgreed on Tales, I'll confess Battle is not my favourite BT record, but I'd argue the music on Blood Ritual is far better than the terrible artwork.
I love the misty/hazy look of Blood Ritual. I see a similarity stylistically with Sumerian Cry (another beaut of a cover). Thematically different, different colour scheme etc but that dreamlike finish to the paintings creates a wonderful aura. Again, I stick with Blood Ritual and see if it grows on me.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on October 18, 2025, 08:36:16 AMhoped that there'd somehow be more to it than any of the other music of theirs I had heard, but no. The same plodding death metal that gets old after a maximum of two songs.
lol
It was released before Reek of Putrefaction even. No one hearing it back then was thinking "What is this plodding!?" Go sit in the corner with people who don't appreciate INRI :laugh: :abbath:
Speaking of Brazil..love the artwork on Arise and Chaos AD, no time for the music on either.
Quote from: Black Shepherd Carnage on October 18, 2025, 11:28:02 AMQuote from: Eoin McLove on October 18, 2025, 08:36:16 AMhoped that there'd somehow be more to it than any of the other music of theirs I had heard, but no. The same plodding death metal that gets old after a maximum of two songs.
lol
It was released before Reek of Putrefaction even. No one hearing it back then was thinking "What is this plodding!?" Go sit in the corner with people who don't appreciate INRI :laugh: :abbath:
I can imagine it would have sounded savage in a live setting with the amps and drums pounding, but the album, and anything I've heard by them, just does nothing for me. Same with Asphyx. Same with Coffins... that style, great for a song or two, tedious over an album's duration.
As for Arise and Chaos AD. Both albums that meant a lot to me growing up (Chaos AD in particular as I felt like I was taking a big step into something heavier by getting that album for my birthday or Christmas in 93, can't remember which) but I always thought the Arise cover sucked. What is it, a monster lobster??? So fucking silly looking to me :laugh: I loved the Chaos AD artwork and still do. I had that tshirt back in dem ol 90s. The album maybe doesn't hold up as well for me, but it's fun. I could happily sit through it but couldn't really see myself reaching for it.
I fired on Tales and didn't last a single song. Jaunty bollix.
This is obviously going back a long time but I remember when I was very young and getting into "heavier" music (and by that, I mean Guns, Def Leppard etc!!) and seeing the cover of Bat Out of Hell. Between the name and the artwork, I had half an expectation that the music would have been somewhat decent but even as a kid, was absolutely horrified at the utter campness of it all. Just overblown, operatic nonsense.
Quote from: John Kimble on October 18, 2025, 02:49:41 PMThis is obviously going back a long time but I remember when I was very young and getting into "heavier" music (and by that, I mean Guns, Def Leppard etc!!) and seeing the cover of Bat Out of Hell. Between the name and the artwork, I had half an expectation that the music would have been somewhat decent but even as a kid, was absolutely horrified at the utter campness of it all. Just overblown, operatic nonsense.
It's one of my favorite albums lol
The Arise and Beneath The Remains artwork are classics and the music is excellent.
Tales in one that I loved when I heard it first but can't take it now.
If BBC 2 on a Sunday afternoon made a metal album it would be Tales.
A bit frolicky and flirts with darkness.
Origin of the fences, the green cover not the butthole has great artwork.
The music is poor.
I heard it after Bloody Kisses and it's always been a chore to get through.
Quote from: Circlepit on October 18, 2025, 03:59:38 PMOrigin of the fences, the green cover not the butthole has great artwork.
The music is poor.
I heard it after Bloody Kisses and it's always been a chore to get through.
Nooooo
I dunno why OOTF gets such hate, a few lads have said it to me over the years, I love it but then again I just love everything they've done really.
(Also while it is in the thread I love Arise and Chaos AD and the art is class on both of them)
Anyway that isn't what this thread is for so I won't derail it worse, i'll think about the topic and post what I can remember later. I usually just forget about bad albums lol
Blood Ritual on here again now...
Deadly thread. Magnum and Nazareth spring to mind.
Ha, yes to both!
Not crappy exactly but Molly Hatchet's artwork could be considered misleading. The album covers look like pure heavy metal, not southern boogie.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a9/Molly_Hatchet_-_Molly_Hatchet.jpg)
Flirtin' with Disaster looks like a Cirith Ungol or viking era Bathory album.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e8/Molly_Hatchet_-_Flirtin%27_with_Disaster.jpg)
Yup. I grabbed that first one on the artwork alone. I haven't listened to it more than once so the memory is hazy but it wasn't anything like the cover would suggest.
Good call on Molly Hatchet for sure
That Bolt Thrower album cover looks exactly like the artwork in the Fighting Fantasy book series
Quote from: John Kimble on October 18, 2025, 02:49:41 PMThis is obviously going back a long time but I remember when I was very young and getting into "heavier" music (and by that, I mean Guns, Def Leppard etc!!) and seeing the cover of Bat Out of Hell. Between the name and the artwork, I had half an expectation that the music would have been somewhat decent but even as a kid, was absolutely horrified at the utter campness of it all. Just overblown, operatic nonsense.
Bat Out of Hell jumped out at me from my parent's record collection as a kid because of the cover. Most badass thing I'd ever seen at like age 6 :laugh: The piano intro absolutely blew my mind. I don't even thin I ever listened to the rest of the album at that time (wasn't even really into music yet), just that piano intro over and over again.
Hmmm Theatre of Pain and Girls, Girls, Girls by the Crue? I'm sure Ghost could have a few entries here. Maybe Sabbath - Forbidden?
Quote from: Mooncat on October 23, 2025, 04:45:45 PMHmmm Theatre of Pain and Girls, Girls, Girls by the Crue? I'm sure Ghost could have a few entries here. Maybe Sabbath - Forbidden?
I've never listened to the original release of Forbidden, but the remixed version that was released last year isn't bad.
Not Necessarily crappy music, just ultra bland and unmemorable throw away generic thrash. The only reason I own a copy is cos of the utterly amazing Les Edwards art on the cover, more famously used on the cover of the book Realm of Chaos - The Lost and the Damned. Which Bolt Thrower used the masthead of for the album cover of the same name.
(https://i.scdn.co/image/ab67616d0000b2738701702c8b31ed5ba4a21fc1)