Album Art of the Week: Black Dahlia Murder – ‘Deflorate’

Metal Blade's Black Dahlia Murder departs from the traditional tableau seen in their discography with 'Deflorate,' their fourth offering, brushed by Tony Koehl. Their previous album covers were traditionally shaded dark and foreboding, where 'Deflorate' shines with an expansive color palette, fantastic imagery, an understated band logo and a touch of violence.

And then there's the heady mix of traditional depictions of the Hindu pantheon, H.R. Giger, and metal's own Ed Repka.

The scene: a blue-skinned alien demigod (echoes of the cult leader from 'Akira' ring out) sits upon an insectival throne. The lightning of judgment issues forth from him, burning a third and final blasphemer as hooded acolytes unemotionally observe the justice meted out.

Koehls' 'discography' of work, when compared to the band's past cover gallery, is the soul of consistency. Offering cover art for metal bands such as Paganizer, Hideous Deformity and Enthralled, he fills every square inch with a dizzying combination of disassociated textures and colors that are as open to interpretation as they are hypnotizing. With Black Dahlia Murder, perhaps his most well-known client, the style of Koehl's hard-wrought craft is exemplified in one glance.