With the recent passing of the Swiss surrealist painter, we at HMS decided to examine Giger’s connection and legacy to the music industry. We’ve already covered his connection to Celtic Frost in a separate article, so now we want to look back at his connections to other bands that the artist has worked with over the years.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Brain Salad Surgery 1973. Released on Atlantic/Manticore Records and is the 4th studio album from the progressive rock trio of Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer. This is said to be the band’s greatest release and it opens with an adaptation of Hubert Parry’s hymn “Jerusalem” which was meant to be the first single in the UK until the BBC objected to it. There’s also the beautiful ballad “Still, You Turn Me On” and the eclectic “Karn Evil 9” suite, proving this release to be ELP’s prog rock masterpiece.
Steve Stevens
Atomic Playboys 1989, released on Wea/Warner Bros Records. Steve Stevens is a masterful rhythm player and excellent guitarist who once played with Billy Idol until going solo. Atomic Playboys is his debut release and is backed by some crazy riffs/solos and fluid style on songs like “Pet the Hot Kitty” and “Desert Sands”. Produced by Beau Hill and Steve Stevens, this release was made more special when H.R. Giger’s art graced the cover to help make this more than just a party/rock album to jam to.
Atrocity
Hallucinations 1991, released on Roadrunner Records. This death metal record is considered an early gem, probably a bit ahead of its time for the strong ‘tech death’ influence found in their songs. The only other death metal band at this time to be experimenting was Atheist, so this German band was unique for the time, considering how they eventually abandoned the sound for a more gothic/industrial/symphonic metal style later on.
Danzig
How the Gods Kill 1992, released on Def American Records. When Glenn Danzig left the Misfits/Samhain in 1987 he went solo with grander plans in mind to expand what he already established with his former bands. What resulted was a more intensive bluesy/Sabbath sound catapulting the singer to stardom, thus cementing his already strong legacy. Armed with such songs like “Bodies” and “Dirty Black Summer”, How the Gods Killed proved to be one of Danzig’s strongest releases in his back catalogue. This album is highly recommended for fans of horror/doom metal.
Carcass
Heartwork 1992, released on Sony Records. This final release for Carcass is quite polarizing for long-time fans of the band. Some fans consider this the breakthrough release for the grindcore/death metal pioneers, while others feel the progressive leanings pushed the band further away from the group’s punishing brand of anti-music. For my money’s worth, Heartwork proved the band could successfully graft melody into their existing core sound and still make them sound brutal as ever. Unfortunately this was to be the band’s final release until the stunning return to form Surgical Steel released in 2013.
Debbie Harry
Album cover art for Koo Koo 1981. Directed video as well as concept, costume and set design.
Kenneth Gallant, Editor HMS
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