Behind The Artworks: Dharma Guns - Nightmares And Broken Dreams (2026)

Helsinki-based dandy punk band Dharma Guns return with their fiery second album Nightmares and Broken Dreams, declaring themselves the kings of action rock while unleashing a dark and frenzied vision of the state of the world. The album is out now on digital platforms as well as on vinyl and CD.

Dharma Guns first staked their claim on the blazing map of action rock with their debut album Ex-Generation Superstars, which explored the gaps between generations. On their new album, the band pushes this theme further, asking whether the only legacy we leave for future generations is a widening gap — one they are destined to fall into. The album cover artwork is created by legendary Finnish comic artist Kari A. Sihvonen. Below, Dharma Guns vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Pete and Kari open up the ideas behind the cover artwork.

Pete: When most of the songs for Nightmares and Broken Dreams were written, and the album title was locked, I started thinking about the visuals. The album title gave me a vision of strong dark colours and cartoonish visuals, a bit like Destroyer by Kiss or Sin City cartoons.

Our bass player Edu, knew this cartoonist/artist, Kari A. Sihvonen, so we contacted him, told him about the idea and let him do his magic.

Kari: I was delighted when Pete contacted me and asked if I could make cover art for their high- energy rock band, Dharma Guns. I was already familiar with the band’s catchy music, so it was an easy decision to say yes and jump into the process.

Pic from Kari’s working desk with drawing of the cover of the album. 

We decided early on that the cover’s style should be inspired by comic book art. I mainly work in a traditional way, using ink and brushes on paper. I made my first sketch/draft for the cover, after which the band members commented on it. Based on their feedback, I then started inking the finalized cover.

It was a fun process, and the band also seemed to appreciate traditional handmade craft. In times when more and more people are “doing” their “artwork” using lazy, sloppy, and bulkish AI methods, you can really stand out by working with trained traditional artists. Real people working for real people – I think that’s what it’s all about. I still wonder why so many people nowadays are okay with listening to music or looking at art that nobody has actually bothered to make themselves. This was a truly joyful project to work on! Long live Dharma Guns!

Pete: Just when Kari’s cover got into shape, I had an idea to add little circles in the corners with symbols that we can use as covers for our singles. Of course, there was a thought of the symbols that Led Zeppelin had for each member in the back of my head, too. We chose a daisy, since there are two daisies in our logo as well; a pentagram, because we knew ”Devil’s Beat” was going to be the second single; a lighting that would make a kick-ass cover for any action rock single; and a speaker element to underline the loudness of the sound.

Kari also refreshed our skull and daisies logo to fit the cartoonish front cover. When the artwork was done, I did the layout myself. Front and back covers were quite easy, thanks to Kari’s great artwork, but the photo collage in the sleeve was shitloads of work. When I finally got the photos in an order that pleased my eyes, I thought it was very cool.

I think the cover art is a perfect fit with the content.

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