Black Metal Cover Art

Black Metal, at its essence, focuses on the idealized ancient man. The man that struggles for his success as an individual in a natural world that seeks his destruction. Despite this conflict, the man is aware of his place in the world and respects the natural order. If it is his destiny to die, so be it.

These album covers portray this black metal ideal from several different angles. These albums are in no order except for number one, which I feel perfectly represents Black Metal. I would like to clarify that I do not necessarily believe in this line of thought, but I am fascinated by it nonetheless.

10. Burzum- Aske

Featuring the charred remains of the Fantoft Stave Church, Burzum's Aske represents the self-determination and folly of man. Man has built a structure and another man, exercising his will to power, has destroyed that structure by harnessing the natural power of fire. This might seem like a victory to man, but the burning of the structure reveals it's fragile wooden foundation. All of man's tools are fragile and breakable. Man relies on nature for sustenance and protection, but nature can always take what back what it gives. 

9. Ossein- Declination

For their debut full length, Ossein chose the image of swaying reeds and a crescent moon, lording over the inky blackness. The reeds are tall, straight. They are guardians of the night. This is their domain. Any man must have their wits about them. Something might strike from the darkness. 

8. TodesstoB- Eine Velorene Seele

This is a portrait of a man that lost his battle. His skeleton has been cleaned of flesh as is the way of nature. Death with dignity, perfect for this German DSBM band. 

7. Drudkth- Forgotten Legends

Drudkth, with there debut album artwork, create a space of uneasiness and conflict. The world around the POV character is hazy and uncertain. Birds fly in the distance. What're they escaping from? 

6. Mayhem- Live in Leipzig

This cover shows the idealized man as a multifaceted creature. He has had some success against the elements, yet he is also a threat. He steps out towards the onlooker, his intentions unknown. 

5. Striborg- Southwest Passage

Even during the day time, the time in which man can operate in relative safety, nature is a threat. A threat that man lives under and must respect. 

4. Wolves In The Throne Room- Demo

This image, used by Wolves In The Throne Room on their first demo tape, addresses the intellectual/spiritual dimension of this idealized man. Spirituality was nothing but an attempt to understand Man's place in the wider universe. It has basically been replaced by science, which is more accurate. Despite this, some still practice arcane spirituality today, possibly to get in touch with their idealized selves. 

3. Bone Awl- Meaningless Leaning Mess

Bone Awl have one foot in Black Metal and one foot in Punk, allowing them to accurately critique the modern world while still offering up their music and aesthetic for critique under the umbrella of larger Black Metal ideology. This image critiques modern man and its art and structures. The non-idealized man builds structures that are pleasing to the eye but not-practical in the confines of nature. The non-idealized man makes art that is beautiful yet hollow. 

2. Fall of Rauros/Panopticon

We view the rare image of the idealized man struggling against the elements in real time. He is strong and determined. Nature careens over him, an unstoppable, unconquerable force, yet he strives forward with a staff, a gift of nature, in hand. 

1. 

Here we have the pinnacle of the Black Metal man. He is shrouded in darkness, mystery, and the reaching tendrils of nature. He holds what appears to be an axe, an object gifted by the natural world, as he walks towards the viewer. What is his intent? Will he chop down a tree? Trying to eek out an individualist living? Or is he going to try and attack the viewer, belying his nature as a self-aware, yet still feral, animal. It is compelling. A fantastic image.