Behind The Artworks: SVARTFJELL - I, The Destroyer (2024)
The cover image of I, the Destroyer is undeniably striking. A dark figure holds a sceptre
aloft as red clouds gather ahead, lava erupts from the distant mountains and cracks in the
earth, and a mist descends upon the trees below, engulfing everything as cataclysm
sweeps across the land leaving it as barren as the far horizon.
The cover image was designed and painted by the incredible artist Luciana Nedelea, who
has an almost endless portfolio of amazing artwork. The main idea for the cover art was
extremely distinct in my mind, putting an image to the lyrics of the title track I, the
Destroyer, and I tried my best to put this image into words for Luciana when providing her
the brief. Not only did Luciana fulfil this brief, she added so much more depth and
expression to all the artwork she provided, I cannot describe the feeling when I saw it.
The dark, horned figure is the eponymous Destroyer, cast in shadow as he stands and
surveys the scene before him. The sceptre he holds aloft is conjuring a spell that brings
about the end of the world through cataclysm; Cracks tear apart the ground, fire and
magma billow from fissures in the earth and mountainsides, and storm clouds billow in the
sky cast in crimson. It is through this destruction that the Earth can be purged of
humankind and all its failings, and be given the chance to regenerate. The tracks I, the
Destroyer and Black Mountain are filled with detail, and I can clearly see the influence
these songs have had on Lucianas design.
As well as the cover image, Luciana provided the back cover artwork too, which shows
cascading woodland enveloped in mist, as we see people throwing themselves from the
mountainside to the rocks below. I adore this image, which is inspired by a lyric in Black
Mountain; “Blinding, is the light that shines upon me, piercing the shroud of darkness, as
one by one they throw themselves to the rocks below”. This lyric, and by extension
artwork, is a metaphor for all those who self-sabotage, follow the herd, or are unfit to reach
the summit of their own personal mountain. The journey to the summit is hard, rife with
obstacles and treacherous falls, and the image of many choosing to instead plunge to their
own death rather than face this climb is extremely strong to me, I am very proud to
have Lucianas depiction of this lyric on the album.
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