Codex Metallum: The Secret Art of Metal - The Hidden Meanings Behind Metal's Greatest Album Covers

by Maxwell, Alt236

Overview

A sumptuous, illustrated guide to the symbolism of heavy metal, told through 300 of its greatest album covers

Metal music has consistently offered some of the most gnarly artwork to accompany it's equally hardcore music, this book is a celebration of just that! More than any other genre of music, metal is steeped in a rich world of symbolism. From death and the devil to mythology and fantasy, its record covers are awash with iconography that carries a complex deeper meaning.
 
In Codex Metallum, more than 80 of these visual themes are explored and explained, accompanied by 300 of metal’s most incredible album covers, including Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Motörhead, Black Sabbath, Rammstein and more. With bespoke illustrations from Rammstein collaborators Førtifem, this unique guide decodes the genre’s imagery, ranging from serpents and demons to sigils, castles, zombies, dragons and more.
 
Packaged in a stunning leather-effect case with foil finishes, Codex Metallum is a beautiful object in its own right, and essential reading for any metalhead.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781788403375
Publisher:	Octopus Books
Publication date:	10/12/2021
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 10.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Maxwell is a metal journalist, Youtuber and former presenter of Hellfest TV.

Alt236 is a Youtuber with 180k subscribers – his videos decoding the visual symbols of the paranormal garner upwards of 500k views.

Together, Maxwell and Alt236 directed the documentary The Art of Metal.
 

Editorial Reviews

09/24/2021

In the days before MP3s and music streaming, record album cover art was nearly as much a source of fascination as the music itself; listeners could stare at a cover endlessly in search of clues about the music, the lyrics, or the band members. Fans of heavy metal, punk, and hardcore will find this intriguingly curated package a return to times of old. YouTubers Maxwell and Alt236 have compiled more than 200 images of heavy metal album covers dating back to the 1960s, with an emphasis on significant artists and artistic innovations. Entries are organized along common themes and symbols found throughout the artwork (the grim reaper, rings, etc.). The images are at times disturbing—the book is rife with pictures of skulls, blood, grim reapers, and war, as well as scenes of violence and decadence. Black-and-white illustrations from Fortifem and Mathias Leonard depicting skulls, swords, and other symbols complement the album covers. The accompanying text is well written and provides context and history for the album cover art, though a book like this might have benefitted from more art and less text. VERDICT This browsable, lavish title will circulate well in collections with lots of fans of rock music and art.—Brett Rohlwing, Milwaukee P.L.

Library Journal