Best Art Of 2022
The artwork that accompanies a record is important to me. It can make my enjoyment of a record even greater and sometimes it makes me want to check something out (even if the description already tells me it is not for me). I am happy we can share the best artwork we have spotted this year (in no particular order).
1
Vorga - Striving Towards Oblivion
A big chunk of the artwork I loved last year was scifi-themed. That was no coincidence, I love that theme in art. Adam Burke made a really beautiful piece of art for Vorga's space-themed black metal record Striving Towards Oblivion. I would love to view this on a big canvas!
2
Crime Of Passing - s/t
Cassidy McGinley delivered some stunning artwork for Crime Of Passings self titled debut LP. The black and white, slightly blurry picture speaks very loudly to me. The framing of the main picture gives it the vibe of a comic. I am a bit less happy with the frame on the right side of this cover. It slightly different texture feels distracting. However, looking at the big picture here, I am stunned by this strong image.
3
GGGOLDDD - This Shame Should Not Be Mine
Szilveszter Mako is responsible for this amazing cover for GGGOLDDD's amazing album This Shame Should Not Be Mine. The albums lyrics tell the story of singer Milena Evas personal experience with sexual assault. This photo is so fitting for the title of the album. The armor is a visual metaphor for the emotional armor she has worn for so long. To me, this pictures her both very strong, ready for combat, but also vulnerable in her loneliness. It fits the album title, but also the lyrics in which I read/hear the same combination of a very strong woman that also deals with loneliness due to trust issues.
4
Piri Reis - Ritma
In my column Table Talk #9 I already mentioned how I loved the artwork for Ritma, the debut full lengt for Piri Reis. Just look at it. It looks kinda simple, but yet so strong. I was surprised I could not find who made it. The band was happy to tell me though. Great work from the bands own bassplayer Jaka Abdullah Hashim.
5
The Algorithm - Data Renaissance
The Algorithm has had a string of excellent covers since 2021. All of these are made by Adrien Bousson. This work fits in right with the others he made for The Algorithm and is a sight to behold. The technological scifi theme fits the music like a glove. I love this work for Data Renaissance especially. The vibe it gives of makes me imagine how the Technopriests graphic novels (if you don't know what I am talking about, do yourself a favor and start investigating the jodoverse!) could look if it was to be rewritten (or redrawn if you like).
6
Third Ego - Nothing (single)
Third Egos debut single is graced with an amazing piece of art by Sam Andrea (who you might know as the singer for Need and The Local Spastics). This piece oozes urgency. The only criticism I can think of is: I expected some way harsher music after seeing the cover art. I also recommend watching the video for the song in which you this painting come to form (and be destroyed, sadly enough).
7
10.000 Years - III
Last year I included the artwork of 10.000 Years album II in my list of best artwork. The band must have liked the artwork as much as I did as they again asked Francesco Bauso of Negative Crypt Artwork to create artwork for their next album III. And it hits home again. It fits the storyline to a T and is just another gorgeous sci-fi masterpiece.
8
An Abstract Illusion - Woe
An Abstract Illusion made one hell of a record with Woe. An album this intense and beautiful deserves artwork that not only suits the mood, but matches it in beauty. Adam Burke delivered just that. Look at it, it is dark, it is haunting and a really strong image. Hang this in a museum and I will stare at it for ages. This is a match made in heaven!
Ok, to be fair, I doubted if I wanted to include this masterpiece in this list. Why? Because it is the second Adam Burke art this year. So at first I made up a rule that said: limit yourself to one art piece per creator. Then I decided to not follow that rule.The vibe of this is so much different from Vorga's! So my current rule for art-list mania is: maximum two pieces by the same creator.
9
The Holophonics - Lavos
I had never heard of The Holophonics before, but one look at the album art and I just had to check them out. I am not here to talk to you about music though, so let's focus on the art. Gilbert Armendariz made an excellent eye-catching piece of work. It evokes a comic book style atmosphere. A comic book I might just read. I absolutely love it.
10
Clutch - Sunrise On Slaughter Beach
I received this album too late to be able to judge if it should be in my yearlist (which I am sure I will feel sorry about in a month or so), but I have it long enough to know the artwork deserves a spot in this list. Again an album that reminds me of something that could be in a graphic novel. In fact, it reminds me of Invisible Kingdom (it's the hat that points me in that direction mostly). Great work by Jared Muralt!
- Dennis
