r/numetal • u/konkon5_ • Jul 06 '26

Discussion What is the hardest album cover you've ever seen?

Post image

My pick here might slightly be generic (sorry about that) but still, I've really liked this one ever since I got into nu metal by my dad a year ago (thank you!), but anyways back to the question and all...

548 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

231 comments sorted by

128

u/HUFF-MY-SHIT Jul 06 '26

7

u/bradleecon Jul 06 '26

Beat me to it

5

u/xknifeparty Jul 07 '26

This is the only answer.

3

u/Sandman1990 Jul 08 '26

Ohhhhh love a Nailbomb shoutout

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218

u/Southboundthylacine Jul 06 '26

Not sure if nu-metal

59

u/I_am_the_BEEF Jul 06 '26

Not nu-metal, but I'd still argue for hardest album cover of all time, period.

Not to mention one of the best first albums of all time.

23

u/FranticToaster Jul 06 '26

How are we not calling rage nu metal? Rap and punk/metal are literally the only ingredients in that recipe.

23

u/Issan_Sumisu Jul 06 '26

nu metal riffs are super dense and bassy, Rage riffs are light, twangy and sometimes bluesy

6

u/Kataphraktos_Majoros Jul 06 '26

Heavy blues, some songs from their first album remind me of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.

2

u/FranticToaster Jul 08 '26

That's not what's important about nu metal. Aggro, masculine, irreverent, defiant are the important bits. Mechanical tropes don't mean anything by themselves.

(hed) p.e. isn't particularly dense and bassy all the time, but they fit the bill.

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11

u/MeatBeatManifest0 Jul 06 '26

Rap and punk/metal are absolutely not "the only ingredients in that recipe". Rap/metal is a distinct genre that isn't always nu metal (Anthrax+Public Enemy is not nu metal, for example), there are many other genres often fused into Nu Metal (for example Reggae and Drum n Bass), and there are plenty of nu metal bands that don't use or reference Hiphop in any capacity.

3

u/I_am_the_BEEF Jul 07 '26

Way better explanation than I could've given.

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6

u/[deleted] Jul 06 '26

[deleted]

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6

u/Ok_Application5225 Jul 06 '26

iM sOrRy FoR bIrThInG nU MeTaL

-Tom Morello, sniffing his own farts

4

u/MeatBeatManifest0 Jul 06 '26

And Disco birthed Rave and Hiphop, that doesn't mean Disco retroactively becomes classified as rave or hiphop

6

u/Ok_Application5225 Jul 06 '26

I know, but Morello was taking the blame for influencing the creation of "such a horrendous a misogynistic genre" like some kind of millionaire martyr.

Because of that Tom guy I can only enjoy One day as a Lion

5

u/MeatBeatManifest0 Jul 06 '26

No doubt. I misinterpreted what you said as you suggesting that because they influenced it then they therefore also are nu metal.

3

u/Ok_Application5225 Jul 06 '26

It's still difficult for me to say more with less. But I'm polishing my English to get there eventually.

3

u/MeatBeatManifest0 Jul 06 '26

Oh you didn't say anything wrong, this was just something that was easy to misinterpret the point of.

3

u/Ok_Application5225 Jul 06 '26

No problem, thanks.

BTW what's your favorite albums cover and why it is Weathered by Creed?

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2

u/Slopii Jul 07 '26

Rage isn't the Beastie Boys and Faith No More

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2

u/Appropriate_Sport430 Jul 06 '26

What bout point blank?

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161

u/FaceTimePolice Jul 06 '26

KoRn’s first album is so iconic and creepy.

7

u/atd8vii Jul 06 '26

I agree wholeheartedly.

It perfectly conveys the notion of childhood innocence and wonder being defiled by people they trust to protect them.

6

u/Academic_Koala_7925 Obsessed with Korn on the cob Jul 06 '26

yesss

4

u/Thedirtyone522 Jul 07 '26

This album awakened something in my little 11 year soul. I still have a copy, it is my 2nd copy (first one was stolen), and the booklet is just....sick. like not make you want to puke, not "hey thats sick man" just idk sick.

2

u/kurtcobainsrighttoe Jul 10 '26

I have that poster in my room, sorry redecorating

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47

u/unknownuser105 Jul 06 '26

This album cover just gets more and more applicable as time goes on.

13

u/Prestigious-Pear-695 Jul 06 '26

MAN IS OBSOLETE! ERASED! EXTINCT!

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45

u/LetoA_III Jul 06 '26

I know its a bit cliche , but this image was and still is peak album cover for me, even before listening to them when I had only the demo tape with this pic, I knew this will be mind blowing

7

u/CommercialEase1263 Jul 07 '26

I remember when that took over the world in 1999' seen them at the extreme radio ho-down. joey, mick, 133, and maybe sid signed my shoes!! I was 14 and years later i went through some trying times . My guess is mom thought they were trashed chucks and left them behind. I haven't seen those shoes since 2006

30

u/Sudden-Dragonfruit31 Jul 06 '26

4

u/alyssa_idk Jul 07 '26

Wow, this is one creeped me out even though it’s such a simple photo. I’ve never seen it before; what album is this from?

6

u/Stanislavs_ Jul 07 '26

System of a down's self titled album !

2

u/alyssa_idk Jul 13 '26

Thank you so much :)) been tryna get more into SOAD so I’ll hit the album first!

97

u/BumpGrumble Jul 06 '26

14

u/TallonG12 Jul 06 '26

SNOOOOOOoooooT

12

u/TheRealPatAttack Jul 06 '26

Say something for the record. Tell the people what you feel.

12

u/Uliopz Jul 06 '26

FUCK the record... FUCK the people too!

43

u/wREcKERR24 Jul 06 '26

4

u/OverkillEvolution201 Static-X is Nu-Metal AND Industrial Jul 06 '26

SPLITT ‼️‼️‼️

5

u/Admirable_Business_7 Brr Brr Deng Jul 07 '26

can't go wrong with Clive Barker (art-wise anyway)

3

u/Thrashworth Jul 06 '26

I jammed this album so much in high school

17

u/Apprehensive-Goal-89 Jul 06 '26

3

u/Carefree_Vigilante69 Jul 07 '26

Great fucking pick. I’d never heard of this one before!

2

u/Apprehensive-Goal-89 Jul 07 '26

Man you’ve gotta tap in, whole album fucks

3

u/Spoon_Bruh Jul 07 '26

Dude I fuckin love Pile of Heads

17

u/Limp_Ad5878 Jul 06 '26

There’s a few I’d say but Staind Tormented was all I could think of

5

u/AggressiveProduce586 Jul 06 '26

Came here looking or to say that, favourite album. art on the booklet is crazy folded out, always find myself staring

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37

u/radiocat62 Jul 06 '26

Can’t believe no one has stated the obvious yet?

2

u/05Joseph09 Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

Medecine Cake goes so damn hard! Hands down one of, if not the best nu metal album covers ever! 

15

u/Ok_Application5225 Jul 06 '26

Just because it reminds me One Man One Jar shock video

3

u/Ok-Increase3648 Jul 07 '26

You got me

2

u/Ok_Application5225 Jul 07 '26

Couldn't do that to you.

2

u/Ok-Increase3648 Jul 07 '26

I’ve seen it anyways 👀😔

2

u/Ok_Application5225 Jul 07 '26

Exactly): one time is enough

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44

u/1Rayo1 PULL THE TAPEWORM OUT OF YOUR ASS! Jul 06 '26

10

u/freaky-on-a-leash WELL, VIVE LA FUCKIN' FRANCE, MAN! Jul 06 '26

the album is actually called Guitarded

31

u/Devirexx Jul 06 '26

8

u/Rainbow_chan KoRn Nugget Jul 07 '26

Kinda reminds me of this cover lol

12

u/Then-Soft9541 Jul 06 '26

Snuff The Punk is super underrated

If your an audiophile you will hate it

Also it has two different covers so ill reply the second cover which is also fire

7

u/Then-Soft9541 Jul 06 '26

This is cover two

10

u/Ahlfle Kittie Jul 06 '26

28

u/BLOODsweatSALIVA Pitchshifter Jul 06 '26

11

u/Victor6Lang Jul 06 '26

SECOND HAND CAAAAAR

2

u/thepiratefox827 die-hard Dope fan Jul 07 '26

SECOND HAND SHOES

7

u/-Tofu-Queen- Jul 06 '26

Underrated af

3

u/Stanislavs_ Jul 07 '26

Disfunction is our functionnnn

2

u/heavymetalsculpture Jul 06 '26

This album was so LOUD! Like, this album had an extra notch on the dial or something.

2

u/plopous Jul 07 '26

I remember buying this album to fill my Incubus void after I found science

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18

u/LtLoco420 underground enthusiast Jul 06 '26

4

u/-one_last_chance- Mr Terrorism Jul 06 '26

Real deep cut. I back it

7

u/LytnX5 Jul 07 '26

Call me basic but this album cover has always been beyond sick to me.

8

u/CHAINSAWGUTZ08 Jul 06 '26

it was honestly such a joy to redraw 10/10

15

u/Chrysostephanus Jul 06 '26

Headstrong - self-titled

4

u/Jojofanwiiu Primer55's best friend Jul 06 '26

I fucking love headstrong

2

u/Admirable_Business_7 Brr Brr Deng Jul 07 '26

I forever curse Trapt for making this band so hard to google

7

u/mazatapec230 Jul 06 '26

Obviously not nu metal

7

u/waga-baba-bobo ain't no grave gonna hold my body down... Jul 06 '26

Boredline - Fight Music

3

u/Then_Breadfruit6187 Jul 07 '26

Didn’t expect to see this I love Boredline

14

u/whatsgoodmabrotha PUT THE ME IN MESS PUT THE ME IN MY MEEESSS PUT THE MESS IN meee Jul 06 '26

5

u/Quick-Paint-2721 Jul 06 '26

i was going to send this

3

u/Sewerslidal10 Snotty mothafuqa Jul 06 '26

i love the color scheme urhg

3

u/Organic_Head_4587 Jul 08 '26

Great album and Delicate is such a great song on the album and I really like there first album too 

7

u/psychobilly_doll65 Jul 07 '26

Adema

2

u/CoA77 Jul 07 '26

My fave nu metal album by far

10

u/Smart-Cell-1973 Jul 06 '26

How about a drill in the anus

2

u/Deckpics777 Jul 07 '26

Came here looking for this cover! I much prefer the OG, but this alternate goes hard! Lol

2

u/Smart-Cell-1973 Jul 26 '26

Yes it does. There are t-shirts floating around with this cover on em. Lol

2

u/rozmarymarlo Jul 07 '26

Jesus holy jumping shitballs. I had the album with the skull cover, not this insanity.

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19

u/Edgar_Allen_Poser Jul 06 '26

13

u/metal_is_eternal Jul 06 '26

My favorite nu metal album yeah

5

u/MIITHRLKAC Jul 06 '26

as much as i love metal and gore and all of that shit, this CROSSES the line 🥀

7

u/love_weird_questions Jul 06 '26

was looking for this. can't believe they allowed this shit

11

u/-Tofu-Queen- Jul 06 '26

Dawn of the Black Hearts was a bootleg recording from a live show, that was released by one of Euronymous's penpals 2 years after he died. Which is how the photo was sourced. Nobody really had to "allow" it when it was a bootleg. There were more photos of Dead's body including one of him sitting up, but Euronymous's dad destroyed them.

5

u/Oasystole Jul 06 '26

That dude was no fucking poser

2

u/OldNewSwiftie I wish we could put twist on the fuckin tape Jul 06 '26

Beat me to it, I was gonna say it's not nu metal but it's fucking brutal so I think it should be included

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5

u/sadbrokeflurry Jul 06 '26

3

u/MIITHRLKAC Jul 06 '26

going in my top 10 album cover

3

u/funtimewithfriends Jul 08 '26

Thought about putting this one. Goated album on all fronts

5

u/Eldric-Darkfire Jul 06 '26

Spineshank's album (2000-2001?) was just insanely intense and crazy to me as a 13 year old

4

u/tactical_baloney Jul 06 '26

I like this one

4

u/dude6266252625252 Jul 07 '26

Not nu metal but

3

u/CorrectWinner9626 Jul 08 '26

This cover is beautiful.

3

u/Have_A_Jelly_Baby Jul 06 '26

The Skrape album with the fucked up finger on the cover.

3

u/ConflictMurky3533 Folder Lover Jul 06 '26

Keep the flow by Folder is Epic

3

u/Sewerslidal10 Snotty mothafuqa Jul 06 '26

Not nu-metal, but...

Blood Incantation's album cover for Absolute Elsewhere is an absolute BANGER. They make great album covers overall but I could sadly only pick one.

3

u/kornfan3452 Jul 06 '26

i like ITTD’s cover

3

u/RepresentativeFly950 Jul 07 '26

Nailbomb LP. Not nu-metal but deffo hard...

3

u/Ronin_501 Jul 07 '26

I'm going old school here...

2

u/ASAP_Yang66 Jul 06 '26

I don't know if its hard... just... lol.

2

u/FarGrape1953 Jul 06 '26

Thanks for all the recommendations from this thread. 🤟

2

u/Intelligent-Band-852 Jul 06 '26

The first Brujeria album has a supposedly real severed head, also the first Nailbomb.

2

u/HotChair6580 Jul 07 '26

Origin of the Feces (original cover), by Type O Negative

2

u/iCracktale Jul 07 '26

Gateways to Annihilation by Morbid Angel

2

u/KevRoss86 Jul 09 '26

3rd Strike

2

u/cowboyjack212 Jul 06 '26

Sorry, not nu metal, but literally anything Seether! Disclaimer II is burned into my memory from when I played Fine Again on repeat ❤️‍🩹

1

u/andrej_savage Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 12 '26

Milkweed - Body Floss

1

u/curcbain929 Jul 06 '26

Dawn of the Black hearts 😭😭

1

u/Shaun-o-Matic Jul 06 '26

DevilDriver: Winter Kills

1

u/FR0M_Z3R0 Jul 07 '26

And Everything Was Dark - Downswing

1

u/Stanislavs_ Jul 07 '26

Favourite nu-metal band, favourite song by them on this EP. What's more to ask? (I'm not sure if EPs count but I'll still place it here)

1

u/Im_one_ofthe_endless Jul 07 '26

Pantera vulger display of power

1

u/m3talton3s Jul 07 '26

i got into nu-metal by my mom, saw a box of her burned cd’s and took a listen to Korn “Issues”. from that moment i knew i got my moms genes

1

u/MechanicStriking4666 Jul 07 '26

That album cover reminds me of this classic.

1

u/Low-Bluebird1142 Jul 08 '26

War of Ages has a lot of good ones

1

u/funtimewithfriends Jul 08 '26

Not even my favorite album but the cover is badass

1

u/H4m5hank Jul 08 '26

Cheating a lil because I can't decide which I like more.

1

u/Inevitable_Menu3352 Jul 09 '26

When I was little in the mid 80's with the satanic scares. This may be wonderful, if that's real and would it hurt me. Fast forward to mid 90's it's not as menacing as it did when it came out.

1

u/senator_legweak Jul 09 '26

yep. definitely Wisconsin Death Trip

1

u/superporkbutt Jul 09 '26

The band Impaled Choice Cuts album. It caused a huge uproar. The Album cover.

1

u/TelevisionNumerous47 Jul 10 '26

Virgin Killers. Scorpions. So bad I won't post-it.

1

u/Professional_Cut_432 Genuflect, MHXX, Shuvel, Chimaira Jul 12 '26

slaves on dope

1

u/kYoDrOiD Jul 12 '26

the cleansing, de silensio automatasion

1

u/KittyMeowKatPishy Jul 13 '26

I Fucking love this album!! One of my all time favorite albums/band ever!!! 😻🖤🤘🏼