The art of Metastazis
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It’s both interesting and not when metal hits the MSM. (For most, that means “mainstream media”, but I prefer to think of it as “men seeking men”. That’s more metal.) On one hand, there’s the curiosity of “OMG, [un-metal outlet] is covering metal!” On the other hand, MSM only really covers metal when it’s not really metal: not your brother’s metal, more intellectual, Ozzy-as-punch-line, etc.
So it goes with metal artwork. I might have room in my consciousness for one more goat and one more skull. But the average “design fan” probably doesn’t. Hence this article in Print on “The Exile of Satan from Heavy Metal Design”. The examples are Stephen O’Malley, Aaron Turner, and Seldon Hunt. “Hipster” kneejerk reactions out of the way – there, are you done yet? – I’ll say that although my appreciation of these artists varies, I respect them for not trying to be anything other than themselves. Ironically, trying to be oneself frequently raises the ire of the metal flock.
Contrast with Metastazis, featured recently in Salon. It’s a one-man (I believe) French design firm whose work it’s “OK” to like, despite also (mostly) dispensing with metal clichés. (Metastazis did the covers for Nachtmystium’s Assassins, Black Anvil’s two albums to date, and the latest Black Dahlia Murder album; these covers have skulls and other metal clichés and aren’t particularly interesting.) This is partially because Metastazis has some cool-as-fuck clients, including Antaeus, Aosoth, Ascension, Averse Sefira, and some bands whose names don’t begin with A. “Guilt by association” also works in the converse.
I like Metastazis because its images are striking, its attitude is aggressive (its manifesto: “Metastazis does not obey its clients”), and its methods are flexible. Photoshop, photography, and hand techniques all come into play. Themes range from fascist imagery to old woodblock art (see the Peste Noire cover I referenced here). The word that comes to mind is “scabrous”. (Curiously, Metastazis collaborated with the decidedly un-aggressive Fursy Tessier on some decidedly un-aggressive covers: the latest Alcest and Les Discrets albums, and Morbid Angel’s “Nevermore” single.) Metastazis is not afraid to “go there” (it did the Watain poster silk-screened in human blood). I imagine that working with Metastazis wouldn’t involve much “with”; it would probably involve just accepting whatever image came of it.
Below are some of my favorite works by Metastazis. Remember that musical value is not at play; some of Metastazis’ work is much more interesting than the client’s music. Examples include Necroblaspheme (boring death metal) and Leng Tch’e/Warscars (boring grindcore – although I’m not sure if that split even used Metastazis’ artwork, since I remember it having an appropriately boring cover (with a skull, naturally)). Web images don’t make for the best presentation; I remember looking at the Secrets of the Moon (what a beautiful depiction of evil) and Necroblaspheme (it’s almost like a blot of pubic hair on a painting) packages in the flesh and pondering them for a while. Metastazis’ best work is still ahead of it, but it has already made its mark on metal – and design.
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Thanks to Van D and Dave S for the tips.
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