Metal
24 cover stories
Metal album art is a genre unto itself — from the baroque horror of Iron Maiden's Eddie to the stark minimalism of Metallica's Black Album. The genre's visual artists created some of the most detailed and technically accomplished illustration in popular culture.
All Metal album covers
10,000 Days
Tool · 2006
Toxicity
System of a Down · 2001
Lateralus
Tool · 2001
Evil Empire
Rage Against the Machine · 1996
Ænima
Tool · 1996
Dirt
Alice in Chains · 1992
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine · 1992
Metallica
Metallica · 1991
Danzig
Danzig · 1988
Hysteria
Def Leppard · 1987
Reign in Blood
Slayer · 1986
Master of Puppets
Metallica · 1986
Powerslave
Iron Maiden · 1984
Ride the Lightning
Metallica · 1984
Shout at the Devil
Mötley Crüe · 1983
The Number of the Beast
Iron Maiden · 1982
Ace of Spades
Motörhead · 1980
Back in Black
AC/DC · 1980
Blizzard of Ozz
Ozzy Osbourne · 1980
Bat Out of Hell
Meat Loaf · 1977
2112
Rush · 1976
Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin · 1971
Paranoid
Black Sabbath · 1970
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath · 1970
Frequently asked questions
- What defines Metal album cover art?
- Metal album art is a genre unto itself — from the baroque horror of Iron Maiden's Eddie to the stark minimalism of Metallica's Black Album. The genre's visual artists created some of the most detailed and technically accomplished illustration in popular culture.
- What are some of the most iconic Metal album covers?
- Notable covers featured on Behind the Covers include 10,000 Days by Tool, Toxicity by System of a Down, Lateralus by Tool, Evil Empire by Rage Against the Machine, and Ænima by Tool.
- How many Metal album covers does Behind the Covers feature?
- Behind the Covers features 24 Metal cover stories spanning 1970–2006, with cover art by designers including Mark Wakefield (cover art); Shavo Odadjian & Brandy Flower (art direction), Alex Grey, and Adam Jones.