Beery Method Studios recently had the honor to work with one of Chicago’s hardest, darkest, rock bands to hit the scene in years. For the Bloody Spades first studio album release titled Step Aside we dug deep into the fiery depths of the grave and pulled out some diabolical imagery to compliment this formidable band’s black hearted music and style. The entire package from logo development to the design and layout of the record was a fresh collaboration of ideas from the band with a more than equipped interpretation from the design department.
We took a note from the ominous stylings of Tales From The Crypt and old horror shows like Dark Shadows for the undertones of the design theme. Incorporating glinting elements of lyrical conjuring such as a GTO with the trunk popped to a fresh dug grave breathed a sense of dusky smoke into the album artwork. With growling tones from songs like Valkyrie and Soul Sucker the death inspired visuals come with ease. Focusing on a neutralized palette of grays and textures with a striking red accent we solidified the tenebrous abrasive bone-cutting edge that rings in the ears at first listen to Step Aside.
Developing a badge of decrepit honor which is the Bloody Spades Skull logo was a sinister blast of joy. If there is any iconic and timeless element that I love to go to town with it is a skull rocking devilish horns. With the crooked spine that is the band’s lead in textural mayhem it seemed the perfect go to feature that would reflect the Midwestern rock intentions of a pack of blood thirsty mutant wolverines that are the Bloody Spades.
Below is the preliminary sketch of the Bloody Spades Skull logo. Horns were added later.
All photos and imagery ©Nick Beery | Beery Method Studios | All rights reserved | All other images and logos belong to their respective owners.