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

by Maxwell, Alt236

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.
 

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, History, Art

192 pages, Hardcover

Published October 12, 2021

Reviews

[Chip Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Well constructed visually and aesthetically. Of course, I feel like a lot of obvious covers were missing, though the identification and leverage of some REALLY obscure bands was quite fun. Spent a lot of time going down rabbit holes (or visiting some long familiar places).

I put together a Spotify playlist featuring nearly all of the imaged albums in the book:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ey...

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not convinced it adds any deep understanding to the artwork that adorns heavy metal albums, but it is pretty and very nicely presented.

[Alexandru · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in metal albums cover art and the history behind the creation of some of the most iconic covers in metal, then this is the book for you. It's a fast and enjoyable read that can expand your metal music knowledge with fun facts and pictures.

[Chad Manske · Rating 3 out of 5]

Visually stunning, historically diverse and I really enjoyed the illustrations, themes and narrative histories of the metal rock genre.

[Brett buckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

[Michael Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A celebration of excellent art within the world of Metal, along with great details about why certain themes have been part of the genre for half a century and why they most likely will stick around for another 50 years.