How It’s Made: Firepower 4 Edition

So the latest iteration of the Firepower mixtape series has been in the works for some time now, and it’s finally completed and ready to be unleashed for public consumption.

The album has an overall feeling of barbaric force to it, so I wanted the album artwork to reflect that, while also blazing territory not typically traversed visually by rap albums. As I think I’ve mentioned a few times, I can’t help but pop in the occasional ManOWar/Iron Maiden/Helloween CD from time to time. I don’t usually listen to a lot of metal, but every once in a great while, I get the urge. This project seemed like a perfect opportunity to pay homage to one of my favorite album covers, while also making something new that was eye catching enough to make somebody take notice no matter their musical preferences. I mean just look at this classic metal cover and try to tell me it isn’t badass. Try! It’s like crazy 80’s metal testosterone overload.

I wanted to replicate the overall aesthetic of this cover, but at the same time adding my own elements and doing it all from scratch. Just below here is our version in all its glory. Like Nabo Rawk said upon glimpsing the cover, “It’s like He-Man, Thundercats, and Conan the Barbarian all rolled into one!” I couldn’t have described it better.

I saved the project at various points, so I could track the progress. If you find talk of vectors, typography, and texture overlays boring, then proceed at your own risk. If it sounds like a grand old time then ask yourself, how does it feel to be a huge dork? I kid I kid, continue on for a step by step process of making Firepower 4…

wimps and posers – leave the hall

At my last job, I worked with a fellow named Chris Hayes, who happened to be a guitar player in a local metal band from Hampton NH. Since my musical taste occasionally dabbles into the metal genre, and I like to support good local acts, I made a poster to help promote their band Archaic Eclipse. There are a few tracks on their youtube channel here,  if extreme symphonic metal sounds like something you’d like to sample. And if that doesn’t sound like something up your alley, then to quote the mighty ManOWar, “If you’re not into metal, you are not my friend.”

Venture further for a step by step of the process.

assualt at the asylum

I hopped back into battle over at WfA. I updated my profile as well, so here’s that…

You only get one week to produce your pages, and here’s the seven pages for my first entry of round nineteen. I had a little spare time so I laid down a layer of color. If the pages are too small to read just give them a click to enlarge.

I wanted to set things up a bit more than I usually do, but I’m sure things will get more exciting as the round goes on. If you please, you can follow it here.

I also just finished a flier for an upcoming hip hop show, and if you enjoy that type of thing, you’d do well to make an appearance. This shows lineup is an absolute monster.

Doin’ Things

Finished the design on the new CD for Ape & Undu a few days ago, and now we have boxes full of singles ready for the distributing. Overall I am pleased with how everything came out. Trapjaw definitely knows how to do his thing. He-man on the other hand, seems pretty content with hating from the sideline.

All of the 10 elements for both the front and back were photographed separately, and manipulated into one image.

Originally, I thought the single would use a more illustrated approach, but after considering a Robot Chicken inspired cover, it seemed so much more effective. Thanks to Chris for providing the photos of the hot tub, without that the piece wouldn’t have been able to come together. There just aint too many nice hot tubs in New Ham. Also good looks to DC for hooking us up with the Trap figure, it’s good to know I’m not the only one who still hoards action figures.

You can hear a few of the tracks from the single here.

Flaming Lips

An image inspired by the album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots for another Penny Arcade contest. I actually got the most votes this time, so my life is now completely complete. I didn’t win anything of note, except the respect of my fellow geek interwebbers, but I’m okay with that. I did however get the honor to set the theme for the next contest, which was both an easy and obvious choice.

Also I turned that image into a mock cover for how I would have layed out the front design.

I’ve been pretty busy lately with new job and art projects lately, not to mention having to produce various secret santa gifts I have committed to. I can’t post them yet though, it’d ruin the surprise and we can’t have that.