Rock & Roll for Designers - Pt 2

Be sure to assume your brace position before you first spin Kadavar’s Rough Times -  which is what I believe to be their heaviest record yet. Before the needle even has an opportunity to hit the wax, Kadavar propel a barrage of heavy-swinging riffs in the album's title track; just as Tyson came swinging when avenging Ali's loss to Holmes.

The three-piece German outfit are a species of Über-heroes (in flared jeans) who have time-travelled directly from the 70's to save the music world from another Ariana Grande release. They represent rock ’n’ roll in its truest form. The guitar tone is fat like Iommi's; the drums are thunderous like Bonham's; and the bass tone is mesmerising like Mr Jack Bruce's.

The striking, illustrated album art has compelling composition. The design is comprised of multiple elements. Its hierarchy sits in the cover’s collage-style; a stone-cut skull overlayed onto the delicately drawn human form. To some it may seem morbid. To others, it may be a link to the album’s “post-breakup” subject matter – how to deal with picking up the pieces.

What I really enjoy seeing in the world of music is consistency in a band's logo – which Kadavar have beautifully demonstrated throughout all of their releases (maybe it’s the German in them that drives this consistency?) The logo letterforms are sophisticated - simplified into basic geometric forms. Starting small at the left they peak in height at the middle; then draw small again toward the end – akin to the summits of the German landscape. Their logo is an instantly identifiable and defiant one - much like Black Sabbath's warped interpretation of Kabel Black.

This album is disruptive, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll – and the cover design is a faithful reflection of that sound.

Kadavar are currently touring Europe on their Rough Times tour. Dates can be found via https://www.facebook.com/KadavarOfficial/app/123966167614127/