Taake's artwork are pretty badass

Duh

Sure, the Ace of Spades is definitely one of the best one out there. They also have a pretty good one for Overnight Sensation as well. I guess that Motörhead do the band cover photo quite well.

I think Motorhead, Yngwie and AC/DC (although not metal) were actually careful about making sure their shots came out well, as well as knowing how to pose for something that might end up on an album cover.

I usually prefer artwork, but I'm not against a photo of the band or a musician, it just depends on the execution (as most have already mentioned here). Some of the ones I like are these:





A few of my favorites that aren't in this site (non-metal):

Generally no. One of the things I don't like about some non-metal album covers. Even if classical music albums, not exactly pop, have the or the most famous musicians on it it feels a bit lame. Your picture on the back of the album is suffienct, guys, or often also good looking girls. We know you're awesome and have got a big ego but I'm not your relative and don't need pictures of you.

Yeah I gotta say, I think to answer the topic of the thread it really depends. I think Black Metal tends to do it really well, honestly. Unless it's like, Immortal's Battles in the North and it's too clean looking. That sorta stuff fuckin sucks. Darkthrone's Transylvanian Hunger type stuff all the way.

LOVE the Hendrix, the other 2 I could do without.

The Overkill ones are GREAT, but Iommi just looks kind of... bored.

Nope, not at all.

Note that Extreme Aggression (Kreator) and Conspiracy (King Diamond) were last minute replacements for much better covers

Depends on the band and on the cover.

The first Ramones is a classic.
The artwork for 'Into Glory Ride' however should never have happened

I love Exodus Pleasures/Disaster/Impact run, musically. But those album covers are just.... no
hahaha