You may or may not remember from our previous list covering this subject, but some of black metal’s musicians are also extremely talented visual artists. The first part of our list featured K.F.R’s brilliant Maxime Taccardi, Slagmaur’s General Gribbsphiiser, Watain’s Erik Danielsson, Carpathian Forest’s Nattefrost and Vrangsinn, and many others.
Along with the extremely talented individuals listed below, we’d be remiss if we didn’t also give a nod to designer and animator Costin Chioreanu, who’s experimented with various genres as a musician. Similarly, Łukasz Jaszak — who has formerly played black metal and other styles throughout his career — did some amazing work on Dødheimsgard’s Black Medium Current (2023). Kim Sølve has likewise created art for top names, such as Ulver, Enslaved, and Darkthrone.
Our main list below includes some of the genre’s most compelling individuals. We hope that it will encourage readers to explore the varied contributions of these creators further.
Tuomas Tahvanainen
Finland’s Tuomas Tahvanainen is both the genius behind the black ambient project Cold Prophet and a member of Niklas Kvarforth’s Shining. A graphic designer, Tahvanainen creates album covers, logos, posters, shirts, tattoos, and much more. He is often credited under the Nucleart Design banner. Tahvanainen has provided magnificent artwork for Høstsol, Bethlehem, Ensiferum, Impaled Nazarene, Wintersun, and a seemingly endless list of others. We especially love his cover for Cold Prophet’s self-titled masterpiece, which debuted in 2022.
A true Renaissance man, Tahvanainen runs the record label The Sinister Initiative together with Kvarforth. Seger and ex-Enochian Crescent’s Mathias Palmroth constitutes the third member of what is known in TSI as “The Trinity.” As I have stated, TSI is my vote for the best extreme label, though Terratur deserves our eternal hails as well. Tahvanainen and Maxime Taccardi will be responsible for the art for a Shining EP that is scheduled to be released by TSI in 2024. The two are also collaborating on a split effort between K.F.R and Cold Prophet that will feature a cover by Tahvanainen. We can’t wait to see and hear the results. In short, Tahvanainen is definitely my favorite graphic designer in the metal world as well as a staple of the community.
Kark
Dødsengel’s Kark is certainly one of the greatest black metal frontmen and composers. Dødsengel’s supremacy has been recognized in books and even sources that are otherwise generally superficial like Loudwire. We were surprised to learn that Kark has secretly become a painter. He has actually been practicing the discipline for years. You will see his remarkable artwork on at least one of his upcoming titles. Kark has confirmed that he is, in fact, a descendent of the famed sculptor Anders Svor (1864-1929), whose museum is located in Grodås, Norway. In addition, we have more than sufficient reason to suspect that Kark comes from a family of great composers.
Kark’s fans know that the artwork for his releases is always impossibly gorgeous. Kark strives to perfect every little detail associated with his albums, which could win awards for their presentations. A noble soul, Kark strives to bring all aspects of his life into harmony with his sophisticated vision as a creator and intellectual.
Bruthor
Ex-Perished’s Bruthor is a beloved figure within the black metal scene. Until recently, the great bassist functioned as an integral part of Whoredom Rife’s live team like Vemod’s revered Jan Even Åsli and Mare’s Nosophoros. This year, it was announced that Bruthor had stepped away from the band. He was replaced by Bloodthorn’s H. Brovold. Bruthor specializes in art crafted from bones and other types of animal remains. Our previous pick happens to have some of Bruthor’s work adorning his beautiful studio. We are very fond of Kark’s “Vermin Christ,” for example, courtesy of Bruthor!
Sonneillon
Poland’s Sonneillon of Mānbryne and Blaze of Perdition is the man behind Kontamination Design. He has done layouts for exceptional bands like Whoredom Rife, Taake, Archgoat, Misotheist, Enevelde, etc. Sonneillon recently provided artwork for Dimmu Borgir’s compilation of cover songs titled Inspiratio Profanus (2023), for which music historian and curator Finn Håkon Rødland snapped striking photographs.
Pelle Forsberg
The fruits of Pelle Forsberg’s labor as a blacksmith can be found under the Pandation Forge name. The Watain guitarist’s metal art takes various forms — necklaces, headdresses, crowns, beer taps, branding irons, spears, other weapons, shop signs, etc. An iron fist that Forsberg made actually appeared at the exhibition “Der harte Norden — Heavy Metal aus den Nordischen Ländern,” which was held from June 9 to September 29 this year at the Nordic Embassies in Berlin. Pelle’s comrade Erik Danielsson designed the poster for that epic event, which represents quite a major victory for the movement.
Sverd & Marius Vold
Along similar lines to what we were just discussing, a well-known mace that was crafted by Arcturus and Mortem’s Sverd was likewise displayed at “Der harte Norden,” thanks to Finn Håkon Rødland. Amazingly, Rødland also owns a morning star that was made by Mortem and ex-Arcturus’ Marius Vold. This object was supposed to be part of the exhibition as well, but we are all aware of the difficulties of transporting weapons internationally. This particular relic belonged to Euronymous. Both Sverd and Marius Vold have crafted chain mail together. Rødland informs us that their chain mail was used by Grutle Kjellson on the cover of Enslaved’s Eld (1997) and also by Dimmu Borgir’s Shagrath in a photo shoot along with a mace. The pair has furthermore created wickedly awesome black metal accessories. Some of their pieces have become iconic and will forever retain historical value linked with the greatness of the Norwegian black metal heroes of old.
Atterigner
Gorgoroth’s current frontman, Atterigner, doubles as an accomplished painter and graphic designer. Atterigner has created art for many great acts. For example, the Bergen-based group Nattverd commissioned Atterigner to make a series of paintings inspired by the late muse Theodor Kittelsen (1857-1914), whose work has graced covers like Filosofem (1996) — the most important black metal record ever created, in my infallible view. Atterigner has joined forces with other notable talents like Deathcult, Doedsvangr, Endezzma, Nordjevel, and Svartelder. Atterigner’s studio is called Khaos Diktator Design.
Yohann Pasquier
Ex-Deathspell Omega’s Yohann Pasquier is a trained French artist who specializes in graphic design, drawing and illustration, web design, etc. He has lent his expertise to Mütiilation, Marduk, Slagmaur, Vondur, Impaled Nazarene, Gehennah, etc. For the purposes of his visual art, Yohann goes by the moniker “Silere Omnia.” These days, Yohann works for Osmose Productions as well as Norma Evangelium Diaboli and its sub-label End All Life Productions.
Alex Friberg
Sweden’s Alex Friberg, or “A. Impaler,” has earned much respect over the past two-plus decades for his extreme metal accomplishments. This veteran bassist performs live with Naglfar and serves as Mefisto’s bassist. In the past, he has belonged to groups like Necrophobic and Firespawn. Although Niklas Kvarforth wrote the music to Shining’s latest masterpiece, Shining (2023), Alex’s appearance on this record will prove immortal. Because of Alex’s participation, Maxime Taccardi painted a stunning portrait of him using his own blood. This portrait was used in the album booklet. It can be viewed and purchased here. Interestingly, when speaking of the aforementioned forthcoming Shining EP, Kvarforth told Metal1.info: “Alex also contributed to the artwork with the incredibly beautiful hand-written titles as well.”
Alex has become rather well-known as a highly skilled tattooist. He works alongside his beautiful partner, Ida Morbida, who was essential in mentoring him. Ida and Alex have taken part in tattoo fairs at major festivals, such as Beyond the Gates. This inspiring couple has chosen to exhibit art at Morbid Impalement Tattoo Studio. We will continue to cheer them on as they continue their journey.
Rok (Honorary)
The esteemed frontman Rok of the legendary defunct act Sadistik Exekution may be described as “Australia’s premier horror and heavy metal artist.” Sadistik Exekution stressed that their music should not be referred to as black metal. All the same, they have had a significant influence on the genre. Rok has created artwork for a number of outfits, including Sadistik Exekution and his former eponymous project. He actually contributed the logo and more to Metalion’s historic Slayer Zine. Metalion, by the way, has, of course, been quite vocal about his love of Sadistik Exekution. Rok’s drawings and paintings have served various purposes over the years, such as adorning posters and the cover of a Nifelheim-related book about Iron Maiden.
