PHIL LAWVERE - Illustrator & Designer
Phil Lawvere is an acclaimed artist and illustrator known for his iconic contributions to the world of metal album art. Through his distinct visual style, Lawvere has created some of the most recognizable and influential album covers in the history of heavy metal music. His dark, intricate, and often controversial artworks have left an indelible mark on the genre, solidifying his status as a legendary figure within the metal community.
Phil Lawvere was born on 28 February 1960, in Stuttgart, Germany. From a young age, he demonstrated a keen interest in art, fueled by his passion for music and the burgeoning rock and metal scene. Lawvere drew inspiration from the works of artists like H.R. Giger and Salvador Dalí, as well as from the intense and raw energy of metal music itself. These influences would later become instrumental in shaping his unique artistic vision.
Lawvere's breakthrough in metal album art came in the late 1980s when he was commissioned to create the cover artwork for German thrash metal band Kreator's sophomore album, "Pleasure to Kill" (1986) . This gritty and macabre artwork, depicting a tortured corpse, perfectly captured the aggressive and visceral nature of the band's music. The cover quickly became iconic and set the stage for Lawvere's future contributions to the genre.
Lawvere's artistic contributions extend beyond album covers. He has also created logos and additional artwork for bands such as Helloween, Tankard, and Whiplash, further cementing his influence on the metal aesthetic. Additionally, Lawvere has worked as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer, showcasing his versatility and mastery of various artistic mediums.
Phil Lawvere's impact on metal album art cannot be overstated. His unique and evocative visual style has influenced subsequent generations of artists and has become synonymous with the genre itself. The dark and atmospheric worlds he creates through his artwork serve as a visual representation of the music's intensity and power. Lawvere's contributions have elevated album covers to the realm of art, making them an integral part of the metal experience. .
A Collection of Phil Lawvere's Created Album Covers
DEATHROW - Raging Steel - (1987 Europe)
Noise International N 0081 / SPV 08-4439 , 1987 , EEC
"Raging Steel" is the explosive third Thrash Metal album by Germany's Deathrow. This European release showcases the band's relentless energy and skill.
Pure Thrash Power: DEATHROW’s Raging Steel – 1987 European Vinyl on Noise International!KREATOR - Endless Pain
Noise N0025 , 1985 , Europe
This wasn't the polished, commercial thrash of the Bay Area. Kreator, with their unhinged energy and Mille Petrozza's venomous rasp, were the soundtrack to a Cold War nightmare. The album's production, while rough around the edges, only amplified its urgency. Recorded in Berlin's Musiclab Studio,
Endless Pain 12" Vinyl LPKREATOR - Out of the Dark
Noise International N 0118-4 , 1988 , Germany
Kreator's "Out of the Dark... Into the Light" 12" Vinyl LP, born in May 1988 at Musiclab Berlin, unveils a thrash metal odyssey. Side A's studio tracks reflect meticulous artistry, while Side B captures the band's live brilliance at "Dynamo" Eindhoven.
Out of the Dark 12" Vinyl LPKREATOR - Pleasure to Kill
NOISE N 0037 , 1986 , Germany
Kreator is a German thrash metal band that emerged during the 1980s. The band members on "Pleasure to Kill" were Roberto "Rob" Fioretti on bass, Miland "Mille" Petrozza on vocals and guitar, and Jürgen 'Ventor' Reil on drums. These talented musicians brought together their combined musical prowess
Pleasure to Kill 12" Vinyl LPKREATOR - Terrible Certainty (
Noise International N 0086 , 1987 , Germany
"Terrible Certainty" by KREATOR, the 1987 thrash metal masterpiece, emerged from the hallowed halls of Hannover's Horus Studio. Produced by Roy Rowland, the album's sonic onslaught, marked by lightning-fast riffs and Mille Petrozza's visceral vocals, solidified KREATOR's global metal dominance.
Terrible Certainty 12" Vinyl LPRAGE - Execution Guaranteed
Noise International N 0073 08-4416 , 1987 , Germany
RAGE's "Execution Guaranteed" 12" Vinyl LP Album is a relentless onslaught of thrash mastery. Released in 1987, it's a sonic barrage that blends aggressive riffs and explosive drumming, creating an intense atmosphere. With tracks like "Down By Law" and "Time Waits For Noone," the album is a metal manifesto, showcasing RAGE's prowess and cementing its place in thrash history
Execution Guaranteed 12" Vinyl LPRAGE - Reign of Fear
Noise – N 0038 , 1986 , Germany
Released in 1986, RAGE's "Reign of Fear" 12" Vinyl LP Album is a raw and unbridled entry into the thrash metal realm. With furious tracks like "Hand of Glory" and "Execution Guaranteed", the album embodies the genre's primal energy. RAGE's unapologetic approach and intense instrumentals make this album a fierce declaration of their presence in the burgeoning metal landscape.
Reign of Fear 12" Vinyl LPWARRANT - First Strike
WARRANT's First Strike 12" Vinyl LP delivers an electrifying taste of German heavy metal straight from the heart of the 1980s. The record kicks with raw power, blending high-octane guitar riffs and gritty vocals that capture the band's rebellious edge. This debut serves as a punchy prelude to the rising European metal scene, laying down relentless energy across every track—a fierce strike for any metal enthusiast's collection.
WARRANT - First Strike 12" Vinyl LP