TOTAL DEVASTATION

Brazil had a load of great bands in the 80s who made an significant impact on the scene. One bone crushing effort we all should know off is "Bestial Devastation" '85 by Sepultura. Probably my favorite release by them, because I love when music is a little bit shitty while genius.

Why I begin by mentioning this release is because it's likely the most famous of the three covers shown below. But beware, Sad Iron's "Total Damnation" '84 is a beast and should be bought on sight. Death Squad is a bit newer band from Italy, playing Thrash. They have now split up, but they did leave behind "Bestial Domination" in 2010.



So, Sad Iron to Sepultura. I think the Devils face is similar enough to be mentioned here. I wouldn't be surprised if who ever did "Bestial Devastation" had a little sneak peak at "Total Damnation". That Death Squad's cover is inspired by "Bestial Devastation" goes without saying. The name is a tip off as well. Funny with the names on these three releases as well, they do have the same feel right?

The coolest thing here, between all these three cover artworks is the little reaper on "Bestial Devastation". The whole cover is magnificent. Sad Iron's cover is very well done as well, but not as ominous, but they do have a tiger and a bird, and a v-guitar... and a building.

But we are not quite done. I finally give you Morbid Rites, a thrash-four piece from the states. This self titled demo was released this year, 2017, and surely we can all suspect where they got the inspiration for the cover, yes?



...a very nice cover I might add.

WRETCHED CARNIVORE

On Carnivore's second album they went completely bananas and had album artwork, contrary to their previous album which only featured their logo.

On this little gem we get something that looks crafted for this release, but of course is not. It's a manipulated photo from an actual war picture. First band to feature this (to my knowledge) was Italian HC band Wretched, who did so in 1983 on an EP i do not dare to spell out, while "Retaliation" was issued in '87.



Carnivore approached the market without their logo we all treasured from their first album. Instead the cover had a digital type of font we all know from Iron Maiden's "Somewhere In Time" which was out in 1986. I suspect a lot of record label involvement within this release, non the less, it's a hell of an album. No trademark violations here, unless the machines rise and tells the public they are offended by the slobbish ways we have used some of their sources to communicate.

As you can see the album later on got a "Parental advisory" stamp on it, when relaunched in 2001. "About time" some parents thought to themselves. "We can't have people speaking their mind freely to our children, they might be enlightened."

"The power of the atom at our disposal 
Yet it's called unsafe 
Nuclear energy so clean and pure 
Your ignorance is a disgrace"