What the fck is up with Cannibal Corpse album covers?

Question

I really love death metal and all its deathly, gory, satanist, mystical, sci-fi, fantasy etc. ethos. Often, this makes for some kickass cover art that emphasises the themes in the songs. (etc. Bolt Thrower covers)

However, there are some things that Should not Ever grace the face of an album cover and Cannibal Corpse covers happen to incorporate all of them (mutilation, dissection, abortion is just the tip of the iceberg). I guess its a ploy to attact people through shock tactics but that raises another question; are some people really drawn to this stuff?
And how are they allowed to have such explict images displayed for all to see in the first place?

Answer 1

Cannibal Corpse Album Cover

Answer 2

Cannibal Corpse Album Covers

Answer 3

I've always found those covers hilarious in their excessive goriness -- I don't care for the music, but looking at them makes for a good laugh. Some of them get pretty nasty, but they've got every right to package their albums in the way they want. If someone is disgusted by them, they don't have to buy the album. They claim it's damaging for children, but let's face it: a kid who glances at it briefly won't be damaged. Still, Wal-Mart bent itself over for the lobbyists and they insisted on changing the cover on their stores' copies -- usually just an edited front cover, while the original artwork was reprinted inside the booklet. That way, someone could only see the "bad" artwork once they had bought the record. I think it's stupid and supports the idea that we should be afraid of works of art, but that's the world we live in.



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/27/Tombofthemutilated.jpeg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Tombofthemutilated-alt.jpg



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/37/Thewretchedspawn.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/48/Cannibal_Corpse_-_The_Wretched_Spawn_Censored_Front.jpg



Do people like this artwork? Of course. Some are like me and get a kick out of how outrageous the band's gotten -- that's not that different from how some people watch reality shows to laugh at stupid people. Others like it because it replicates the atmosphere of the music: dark, gory and disturbing. Are the band doing this to shock their audience? Sure, because they know their listeners like to be shocked as much as they do. Plus, if they get the religious right's panties in a knot, that's a way to expose their music to metal fans who hadn't heard of them yet.

Answer 4

I'm a bit confused about your question. Don't Cannibal Corpse albums actually emphasize the themes of their songs (gore, violence, murder, etc)? George Fisher has said himself that he views the album covers as an art that could be turned into a horror movie in the listener's head if they wished. Though I personally don't find anything aesthetic about the artwork, they do illustrate the themes of the band, albeit explicitly but accurately. Moreover, Cannibal Corpse has always released an explicit and censored version of their covers. I've personally never bought any one of their albums, but I would venture to guess that the censored versions would be sold in stores and the uncensored versions only available through online purchase. If I remember correctly, some of the albums were actually banned in some countries due to the nature of their content. And as to whether or not people actually enjoy those images, Carcass's Reek of Putrefaction, one of my favorite albums, was actually made up of a collage of autopsy photos. Nah, I don't find the cover particularly charming, but I really don't mind either. As an aspiring medical student, I actually find it quite interesting.

Answer 5

their cover artworks arent even that bad lol

Answer 6

what does any of that have to do with Satanism? have you even read the satanic bible?

Answer 7

well there's miley cyrus wearing barely any clothes with her tounge hanging out plastered everywhere which should never be seen by anyone but it's still happening. at least CC are talented.