Blacktown deathcore outfit Thy Art Is Murder are no strangers to controversy, having made headlines during last year’s Soundwave festival for allegedly inciting fans to break through a security barricade and rush the stage.
The band are now presumably bracing themselves for the impending wave of controversy sure to be lobbed at the title and cover art of their upcoming third studio album, Holy War, which is slated for release this June.
The uncensored version of the Holy War cover art depicts a small child dressed in a hooded cloak, splattered with blood, with an explosive device strapped to their torso. The censored version, meanwhile, features a closeup of the child’s obscured face.
“We wanted Holy War to be our most confronting release to date,” explains guitarist Andy Marsh in a statement. “From the moment the album title was conceived and the lyrics were born we had a distinct vision that the album cover artwork must be equally as confronting, as scary, and as real as what we are about as a band.”
“Unfortunately after circulating our intended album cover around to the distributors and retailers, and after several meetings with the label and those we all work with, we were told we would have to cover the image, or choose a different cover.”
“Not wanting to alter our desired cover in any way shape or form, we opted to contain it within the album packaging and roll with one of the other images from the layout,” said Marsh, who also highlighted the message behind the artwork.
“Here it is in all its magnificent glory, a child for every religion that has indoctrinated the young and disadvantaged, and sent them off to war and bloody death without cause or reason. This album is for them,” said the guitarist.
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While the band has already experienced issues with distributors over the artwork, the group’s fans are on board. “I think this album cover merely represents the day and age we live in, it’s obviously not condoning terrorism,” wrote one fan on Facebook.
“Releasing a cover like that could have serious consequences. Especially in today’s climate. You could send the wrong message especially to the United States market and could have serious implications on tours. I respect your decision,” wrote another.
The album cover and packaging photos were shot by the band’s longtime photographer and friend, Thomas Savage. The album will be made available in Australia on 26th June and is now available to pre-order in multiple formats.
The artwork will not be available on retail versions of the album, the band’s first for UNFD, but will appear on a Limited Edition 12” Picture Disc vinyl version available exclusively at 24hundred.net.
