COULD IT BE METAL?
COULD IT BE METAL?
How many times have we found ourselves in record stores or at vinyl fairs, spotting album covers that grab our attention - covers that look totally metal (OK, or even hard rock!) - only to realize we have no idea who the band is and just ''hope'' it’s metal? In this episode, we'll dive into albums whose covers could easily belong to a heavy metal band, or at least a hard rock one. That doesn't, of course, take away from the artistic value of the bands featured here. Even though they fall under different musical styles outside of metal, I think it's a great opportunity to explore music more broadly. So, ladies and gentlemen, let’s take a look at 10 + 1 album covers that could easily be mistaken for metal albums!
Rockets – Galaxy (1980)
Let's start with the Rockets, a very well-known French disco group. Their ''Galaxy'' album cover is a little bit of epic and fantasy. Maybe I’m a bit biased including it in this list of ''covers that could belong to a metal band'' - mainly because the first time I saw this artwork, it wasn’t on a Rockets album, but on the 1986 self-titled ''Titan'' album by the French metal band ''Titan'', who had members from the legendary Killers. Still, it’s a fantastic design, wouldn't you agree?
Trilogy – Black Devil (1986)
Next up, we go to Italy in 1986. And what’s more fitting for 80s Italy than Italo-Disco? This project was named Trilogy and released a 12” called ''Black Devil''. Now you might say, “Steve, this doesn’t look ''that'' metal,” and you’d be right. But it ''does'' have a spooky, mysterious vibe that reminds me of a horror movie poster! The font is also kind of eerie. Don’t you agree? The title track ''Black Devil'' is actually pretty good, with catchy melodies. Light and easy to listen to.
Anton LaVey The Satanic Mass (1968)
Okay, now we’re talking! This might be the ultimate “metal-looking” album cover - it screams ''black metal''. America, 1968. Ladies and gentlemen, Anton LaVey with ''The Satanic Mass''. I probably don’t even need to say who Anton LaVey is - everyone should know. But if, for some reason, you don’t, please, close this page and go look him up. Don’t be lazy or a dumbass - it’s 2025, you’ve got the internet, one click and you can learn anything. Do it now, mutha! This cover is terrifying, mystical, and iconic. A personal favorite. And yes, Venom clearly borrowed from it - and then everyone else followed.
Mandy Morton and Spriguns – Magic Lady (1978)
Let’s jump ten years forward to England in 1978. This album by Mandy Morton and Spriguns is titled ''Magic Lady''. As you can see in the artwork, it’s ritualistic, mysterious, and quite dark. Musically, it’s not really my thing - simple folk with a few nice melodies here and there. The album is also extremely rare, and if you do find it, it’s very expensive!
Robert Jamra – The Second Coming (1972)
We’re back in the U.S., 1972. Robert Jamra and his album ''The Second Coming''. Clearly inspired by LaVey’s ''The Satanic Mass''. This album isn’t even musical - it’s spoken word, with Jamra narrating his thoughts. I did a bit of research on him but couldn’t find anything particularly interesting - other than the fact he reportedly wasn’t very mentally stable and sadly passed away at the age of 43.
Marzio – Smoke on the Volcano (1980)
Let’s take a break from the occult vibes. This one’s from Italy again - artist Marzio Vincenzi, who released this album under the name Marzio in 1980. The cover? Very epic, very metal-looking! The music? Pure pop/disco. The surprise here is a pop cover of ''Smoke on the Water'' by Deep Purple. Yeap, really. Check it out, it's hilarious!
Mort Garson – The Unexplained (1975)
This is a beautiful album - Mort Garson’s ''The Unexplained (Electronic Musical Impressions of the Occult)'', released in 1975. Full of gorgeous synth melodies and horror movie vibes. The cover? Just amazing - dark and beautiful at the same time. A true gem.
Don Bradshaw-Leather – Distance Between Us (1972)
Now for something truly mysterious and obscure. British avant-garde artist Don Bradshaw-Leather self-released this double LP in 1972 on his label Distance. The cover alone hints at something dark and enigmatic. Flip it over, and you’ll see the woman in his arms looking genuinely terrified - it’s fucking brilliant. It reminds me of Dionysian rituals and ancient Greek tragedy. Musically, it’s four tracks of terrifying avant-garde and experimental noise. Some call it psychedelic rock - but trust me, it has nothing to do with rock. You can stream it online now, so do yourself a favor and give it a listen. You'll dig it!
Sandy Samuel – (I Like) Sado-Music (1980)
Italy, 1980. This obscure 7” single is by Sandy Samuel, titled ''(I Like) Sado-Music (Part One & Two)''. She was a porn actress, and honestly, had more success in films than in music... hahaha! As we say in Greece, ''She has a killer body and… as far as her voice is concerned: she has a killer body" (I hope that joke makes sense internationally!). The cover is very Metal - the BDSM outfits were always part of the heavy metal aesthetic. Musically, it’s typical Italo-Disco, nothing special. Her vocals? Let’s just say not great. But if you ever come across this 7”, grab it - it's super rare now. Also check out the discography of her fellow adult actress Ilona Staller (Cicciolina)!
Konrad – Evil (1982)
From the U.S., here’s a truly obscure release. Meet Konrad, with his 1982 album ''Evil'', released via his own private label, Ethereal Sequence Records. Real name? Barry Konarik. He released three singles and this LP. Everything was written, played, and recorded by him. The sound is low-fi, synth, but surprisingly great. Deep lyrics, very ahead of its time. The cover shows Konrad in a hooded cape - immediately eye-catching to any record collector. I was lucky to find this about 27 years ago at a second-hand record shop in Athens for 100 Drachmas (around €0.30 today). Unbelievable, right? From the first moment the needle hit the vinyl, this album haunted me. If you ever come across it - buy it!
Belisama – Belisama (1970)
And at the end, a bonus - Belisama, with their one and only 7” single, ''Belisama'', released in 1970. It’s the only rock-related release on this episode! The band was from France, and sadly I know nothing about them. The single was recorded by legendary musician/producer Jean-Pierre Massiera - a guarantee of excellence. Two tracks: ''Belisama (1ère Partie)'' and ''Belisama (2ème Partie)''. Female vocals full of sensuality and strength. The band’s performance is powerful, with flute passages and heavy outbursts. The cover? Just fucking Amazing! The song reminds me a lot of Uriah Heep’s ''July Morning'' - though ''Belisama'' came out a year earlier, in 1970. Just saying…
So, music freaks, I hope you enjoyed this episode, keep listening to music and always explore, because there are hidden gems out there we might never get to hear, not even in four lifetimes. Until next time... Stay heavy!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
