Introduction

Being a blog dedicated to the use of gargoyles, grotesques, statues and carvings in album art, especially that of Doom Metal (and related genres). It may also include similar archaic images such as standing stones, monoliths, or mediaeval illustrations.

To my mind Doom Metal (when done correctly) evokes a feeling a great age, spirituality and contemplation, and this is enhanced by the imagery. I have a love of churches and other old buildings, and the two things go hand in hand for me; the images of gargoyles, statues and crosses used by Doom and Doom/Death bands, especially in the early 90s, seemed to perfectly fit the music. Also, the band names like Cathedral, Church Of Misery, Chapel Of Rest, and Castle; all these added to my imagined link between the music and churches and other old buildings.

Wednesday 9 May 2018

Castle - "In Purple Visions" demo 1992


Stone angel statues are a staple image of doom metal covers, and are exactly the kind of thing that this blog celebrates. Here we have two different covers for the same demo by Dutch doom/death band Castle, both of which feature images of stone angels (one with a trumpet, one without). Both are in colour, which is a bold contrast to the usual black and white offerings.

With a bit of research (and lucky guesswork) I have discovered that both photos come from the Bredaseweg cemetery in the band's home town of Tilburg, Holland. The angels are among many other statues that adorn pillars along the outer fence of the cemetery, and the height seems to add to the imposing feeling of the photos.