Album cover ideas / research

Inventing a mascot character for my album cover is a possibility. Band mascots usually appear on many of their album covers, as well as their merchandise. The appearance of some of these mascots have evolved largely over time.

What can be observed?

It is clear from this cover that "Iron Maiden" is the name of the band, which is especially important to make clear for a debut album such as this one. The mascot also appears in full for the first time but also in arguably its most basic form. Fans of the band had only previously seen glimpses of the mascot on previously releases (promotional singles etc.) and so therefore awaited the full version of the same mascot.

The mascot itself is portrayed as being somewhat threatening. As well as appearing in a street during the night time where passer-bys are more vulnerable, hinting that he has bad intentions (his appearance during the night can also be likened to the presence of a vampire), his facial appearance is very monstrous, with green skin, a sinister, threatening expression and eyes, and hair that sicks out in all directions with colours that resemble fire, suggesting  his buring passion for evil.

In regards to the environment around him, it is also worth noting that there is a full moon, suggesting he has wolf-like features. These facial and environmental features all create a deliberately threatening image for the band.

The back cover is also very simple, with a plain blue background and the tracklisting for the album. The band's name and logo appear once again. This reinforces that it is a self-titled. The last song is also named after the band. The name is also references in its lyrics and has been a regular in the band's set-lists when they perform live.

The design of the disc is also very basic. The CD is a re-release as the album was originally recorded and finished in 1980, when vinyls were still the medium for album consumption. The album was reissued for this format by the record label, and the band presumably had no input on the album design. However, the album would be re-issued again in 1998 with additional artwork and photographs.

This is a piece of artwork consumers will find when they open the CD case. It shows photos of the band playing at live shows during the time this album was being made. They are used to promote the band and its image, as well as the typical response they receive from audiences when they play. It may also encourage fans who have bought the album to see the band live.

Band: Iron Maiden

Mascot name: Eddie the Head (or Eddie for short)

Example album art: Iron Maiden (self-titled) (1980)

Iron Maiden's mascot, Eddie, has maintained a basic zombie like appearance, but has appeared in the band's artwork as a cyborg, an Egyptian mummy and a lobotomised mental patient amongst others. The appearance that the mascot adopts is based on the themes/title of the corresponding album.

 

  What can we observe?

The band's logo is positioned in the top centre of the cover, with the album title being placed below. It is important, therefore, that the title differentiates in font and/or size so that consumers can distinguish between the two. Although this band had already released three albums prior to this one, it is still vital that the artwork can attract new fans to their music. This turned out to be the band's breakthrough album and remains a fan favourite, as well as one of their highest selling albums.

Perhaps the cover assisted in part in making the album a success. The mascot we see on the cover (Vic Rattlehead) was also featured on the artwork for the album's two singles ("Holy Wars" and "Hangar 18") therefore promoting a distinguishable figure that will allow fans of the genre/band to tell that the singles and the album are all by the same band. The consistent blue/yellow colour scheme of the artwork also makes it visually appealing, as well as alluding to the themes/topics covered in the songs' lyrics.

 

The album's back cover continues the blue/yellow colour scheme featured in the artwork. It contains the tracklisting, an image of the band and the members' names, and a symbol that the band have used to associate with the album, which adds to the visual attraction that is a contributing factor to selling the album. The same symbol is featured on the disc's artwork. As for the track-listing, it is a conventional feature for a back cover of an album. Most fans prefer to buy an album after they have heard a song from the album, which is usually achieved through the release of singles prior to the album's release, which provides a taster to what the listener should expect on the rest of the album, and generates hype so that a high number of copies will be sold in the first week. The track-listing allows the fan to confirm that the song(s) they have heard are featured on the album they are buying.

As for the photo of the band, although some fans may have already been familiar with the band's music before this album, the line-up had changed since the last album was released. Therefore, the back cover introduces the two new members that joined before the album was made (drummer Nick Menza and guitarist Marty Friedman) as well as establishing the band in general and their image to new fans.

The disc artwork maintains the consistency of the artwork by featuring the same symbol as seen on the back cover, as well as the same yellow colour scheme.

The artwork for the inside cover is similar to that of the front cover, and shows the same area as seen on the front cover, but mainly serves to maintain the consistency of the artwork. Credits are given to the band members as well as the other people who worked on the album's creation.

Band: Megadeth

Mascot name: Vic Rattlehead

Example album artwork: Rust In Peace (1990) 

What can be observed?

This album cover is the band's third to feature their mascot, "The Guy" and their fifth album overall. The first album to feature the mascot on the cover "Ten Thousand Fists" depicted the character surrounded by a large crowd of people raising their fists up in the air. This suggests an act of empowerment, which is a theme covered in many of the album's songs. The next album "Indestructible" shows the character walking through fire with a brave smile, and again has songs that serve to empower the listener and boost their morale, but also covers darker themes that the listener could relate to. This album cover shows the character breaking from chains, and is suited to the album title as he is possibly breaking out of an asylum. In general, it can be said that whilst the character has a monstrous appearance, which is conventional of a heavy metal mascot, he is portrayed as a strong character that is able to conquer any obstacle. Whether this is for good or bad intentions is left ambiguous. The listener's own interpretation of the mascot may determine how they react to the band's music.

 

The back cover has a relatively simple design, featuring the track listing, the band name and album title that carries on the colour scheme of the album's artwork (black). This cover suggests a dark time during one's life; they are perhaps facing the biggest obstacle they have ever come across and are trying to overcome it. It can also be interpreted as a criminal breaking free from jail to wreak havoc. The songs cover dark themes and the artwork serves to set this particular mood.

Like the back cover, the CD design is very simple and once again features the album's track list. This is done to keep the artwork simple yet effective.

The inside cover bears much significance to a drawing found on parts of the artwork of the band's first album, "The Sickness", which the band's mascot would eventually derive from. This is possibly to support the album's darker themes compared to previous albums.

The inlay cover is the piece of artwork that appears behind the disc on albums released in transparent CD cases. Inlay covers, such as this one, are usually very simple and serve mainly to maintain the colour scheme.

Band: Disturbed

Mascot name: The Guy

Example album artwork: Rust In Peace (2010)

This is the band's first album to be released on a major label. It is also the first album to feature this mascot on its artwork. The previous two albums featured the band members on the front covers and were released Japan only. Therefore, this is the first time the band was promoted internationally and therefore the decision was made to create something eye catching to attract audiences. The title "Metal health" is a possible play on the term "mental health" which the front cover, depicting the mascot (a man with a metal mask) dressed in a stereotypical costume for a mental patient would support.

The inclusion of the band members on the back cover helped to promote the band internationally for the first time. In addition to this, the songs are listed next to the images, with specific writing credits given for each song. Therefore, it allows each member to gain recognition for their own songwriting contributions.

The design of the disc is very basic. The CD is a re-release as the album was originally recorded and finished in 1983, when vinyls were still the medium for album consumption. The album was reissued for this format by the record label, and the band presumably had no input on the album design.

Band: Quiet Riot

Mascot name: un-named

Example album artwork: Metal Health (1983)