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We speculate that most Metal Heads would agree - Metal music isn't just about compositions, it's about performance, and an entire set of cultural influences that surround. Since its inception in 1960s America, this independent genre has not only built itself into one of the most progressive subcultures in the world, it's evolved to develop a visual identity that explores musical expression in entirely new ways. Imagery belongs at the core of its messaging, with undertones of masculinity, aggression and machoism screaming through its lyrics, performance styles, music compositions and art. Whether it’s international bands like Slayer expressing their creativity, thoughts and beliefs through visual narratives in album art, groups like Black Sabbath experiment with intriguing story-telling through visual designs or Slipknot and Bring Me The Horizon’s ambition to go an extra mile with their fashion lines, performance theatrics, costumed legacies and more - all elements that culminate to provide listeners (some of the most loyal fans you'll find anywhere in the world) with the complete Metal experience. Suffice to say this is a tradition that’s seeped into Indian Metal artists’ musical identities too, exploring new visual avenues of expression surrounding their music.
We've explored different Indian Metal bands in our own way before, whose music resonates with this subculture's soundscape, and the duality of their lives. With music at the core of their passion, these versatile musicians are artists in more ways than one. Since pursuing a full-time Metal career in India is not the most lucrative career choice, their bank balances are fed through the pursuit of different artistic inclinations - all creations to which we can tip our hats in appreciation, regardless of whether we fully comprehend the depth of the culture and what it stands for.
Without further ado, we bring you a compilation of 10 illustrators, designers and visual artists, all exploring the artistic and visual possibilities surrounding Metal music. Some double up as guitarists, drummers and vocalists themselves, others are simply deeply entrenched in India’s thriving metal music community. Meet the talent behind India's Metal artwork, and revel in their phenomenal versatility.
I. Aakash Anand
Akash Anand (left), Colossal Figure's Album Artwork by Anup Sastry and Aakash Anand collaboration (right)
Check out more of Anand's work on his Website, and follow him on Facebook.
II. Aaron Pinto - Kidsquidy
Aaron Pinto (left), Escher's Album Art (right)
Follow Aaron on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see more of his work.
III. Aaquib Wani
Aaquib Wani (left), Artwork for Big69 (right)
For more of Aaquib's art, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
IV.Anirudh Singh - Nuclear Puke
Anirudh (left) Image Source: Subal Soral Photography, Reptilian Death (right)
Check out Anirudh's Website and Facebook page, and follow him on Facebook.
V. Arun Natarajan
Design has no limit for Bangalore-based guitarist Arun Natarajan's wildly expressive graphics, bathed in dark imagery and optical symmetry. His style has the tone of a refined artist, as he produces artwork for different fields ranging from football fan sites to life science based companies. Still, you can't take the musician out of Arun, as his best work is for thrash metal bands like Chennai-based Blind Image and Wolf's Lair. Album art, logos, merchandise, banners, press kit designs - you name it, and it will be done by this multi-faceted musician, who follows his true passion as the bass guitarist of Eccentric Pendulum.
Arun (left), Eccentric Pendulum Album Art (right)
You could follow Arun on Facebook to check out more of his work.
VI. Gaurav Basu - Acid Toad
Inner Sanctum
Gaurav (left) Image Source: Marek Koprowski (left), Inner Sanctum Legions Awake Album Art (right)
Follow Gaurav on Facebook, and Behance to view more of his creations.
VII. Rahul Chacko - Scribble Bandit
Rahul Chacko, Kryptos Artwork
Follow Rahul's page on Facebook, and check out his Blog to see more of his art.
VIII. Reuben Bhattacharya - Visual Amnesia
Reuben (left) Image Credit: Parizad D Photography, Undying Inc Ironclad Album Art (right)
Follow Reuben on Twitter and Instagram. Also, check out his art on his Behance and Facebook page.
IX. Roshan Shakeel
Roshan Shakeel (left), Minerva Conduct's Unearth Album Art (right)
Follow Roshan's work on Facebook. Also, click to see some of his Photography.
X. Sonali Zohra - Dangercat
Sonali Zohra (left), Stereolithic Riffalocalypse Artwork
