ONSLAUGHT’S MANAGER RESPONDS TO AXL’S ALBUM ART CRITICISM
Last week I criticized the cover art for the new Onslaught album, Sounds of Violence, because of its utilization of Nazi-inspired imagery. I specifically wrote that “I don’t think Onslaught are Nazis, or anti-semites, or bigots of any kind,” and basically said that I just curious what the point of using such imagery could possibly be. But some MetalSucks readers, clearly being of the rocket scientist or brain surgeon professions, still somehow thought I was accusing the band of being anti-semites. So just to be clear once and for all: I do not now, nor did I ever, think that Onslaught were Nazis. I am aware that many bands have used Nazi imagery over the years. I just think it’s worth considering the meaning of these images.
And, hey-o!, lookit that: I found an e-mail from Onslaught’s manager, Tommy Morriello, in my inbox on Saturday. Unlike some of the people who left comments under my original article, Morriello actually seems to understand what I was getting at, and presented a pretty clear explanation for the album’s cover. Read his full e-mail to me after the jump.
Hello Axl,
I’m Tommy Morriello Onslaught’s manager.
It was great to read your comment about the cover, the truth is that the cover have been lightened as it should have been completely black with the eagle and other details embossed or in Glow [Below. – Ed.] this image attached is the “real” cover that will be present on the CD, Digipack and Vinyl.
You are absolutely right about the similarity, and there is also an idea about it:
I can tell you that they chosen the image because it expresses better the symbol of dominance, Authority and ruling power, there is a lot about war in this album as it follows a general concept of Violence.
The album took a long time to be written and the cover was a matter of in-numerous discussions.
The band is well aware of the symbolism and the similarity of the images but I am myself a Jew and we have a great relationship since we started working together. (This cover caused also at AFM records big concerns)
But…
If they just used a standard cover with suggestive violent drawings or pictures (war scene or another body ripped off in pieces, skull etc…) They would only be displaying one face of the “violence” theme.
The idea behind the album is to portrait violence as a whole; the act, the intention and the all the reasons mankind can create to approve and support it.
Thank you again for the blog!
For any questions I’ll be very happy to help.
Best Regards
Tommy Morriello
Crash Bang Management
All of which sounds perfectly reasonable to me. I’d like to thank Tommy for sending in this response and clearing this all up!
Sounds of Violence comes out in the U.S. on February 8. The single, “Bomber” — which is (duh) a Motorhead cover — will be released worldwide on December 17, and features guest appearances from Motorhead’s own Phil Campbell, as well as Sodom’s Tom Angelripper. Check out the Nazi-imagery-free cover art below, and then feel free to completely ignore everything I’ve written and freak out for no discernible reason in the comments section.
-AR
