- The iconic cover art for Obituary’s classic album “Cause of Death” was originally intended for Sepultura’s “Beneath the Remains,” leading to a dispute.
- The artwork, titled “Lovecraft’s Nightmare B,” was created by Michael Whelan in a process inspired by H.P. Lovecraft and dark, industrial music.
- “Cause of Death” is considered a seminal death metal release, solidifying Obituary’s status within the genre.
The Birth of a Death Metal Classic
Obituary, the pioneering Death Metal band from Florida, is known for their raw sound and brutal imagery. But did you know that an interesting anecdote revolves around the cover art for their album “Cause of Death”?
Released on September 19th, 1990, this classic album in the history of death metal has a cover story as grotesque and decaying as the face it features. But hold on to your skulls, metalheads, the tale behind this cover is quite amusing!
The Sepultura Connection: A Lovecraftian Nightmare
Max Cavalera of Sepultura, with a keen eye for the macabre, discovered Michael Whelan‘s artwork “Lovecraft’s Nightmare B” from a series of H.P. Lovecraft books. He wanted this nightmarish piece for “Beneath the Remains”. But alas, Roadrunner Records had other plans. They allowed Obituary to use the cover first, even though “Cause of Death” was released a year after “Beneath the Remains” (1989). Sepultura then had to settle for another Whelan illustration.
They allowed Obituary to use the cover first, even though “Cause of Death” was released a year after “Beneath the Remains” (1989).
The incident with Sepultura led to Igor Cavalera becoming quite upset with Monte Connor. In a move that could only be described as a metal protest, Cavalera later tattooed part of the cover art on his arm, a permanent mark of his displeasure.
Sepultura’s Redemption: “Nightmare in Red”
Sepultura ended up using Whelan’s “Nightmare in Red” for “Beneath the Remains”. Inspired by a dark time in Whelan’s life, including the death of his mother and the shooting of John Lennon, the painting was created using acrylics over pastels. Whelan’s creative process was as intense as the painting itself, with red pastel on black paper and acrylic paint to capture the raw emotion.
The Birth of “Bloodcurdling”: A Studio Wrapped in Foil
The artwork used for “Cause of Death” was originally commissioned for H.P. Lovecraft’s books. Whelan created a couple of panels full of macabre imagery, covering his studio windows with aluminum foil and playing dark industrial music to create the painting. He used an airbrush to create dark shapes and painted things that appeared in his mind’s eye.
The cover art was used in an H.P. Lovecraft collection called “Bloodcurdling Tales of Horror and the Macabre”. Also, the second portion of the painting, “Lovecraft’s Nightmare B”, found its way to Demolition Hammer’s 1992 album “Epidemic of Violence”.
A Cult Classic
“Cause of Death” is often regarded as one of the best death metal albums ever, standing alongside classics like “Altars of Madness” (Morbid Angel), “Scream Bloody Gore” (Death), and “Necroticism – Descanting the Insalubrious” (Carcass). It played a significant role in establishing Obituary as a cult band within the death metal community.
