It has been a week since the start of the summer solstice. It also marked curators Dark Earth Records first event for the mega-talented Berlin-based artist and illustrator Eliran Kantor, who is known for creating extraordinary album covers for a plethora of metal bands. You’ll be familiar with Venom Prison, Kreator, Helloween, Thy Art Is Murder, Heaven Shall Burn amongst many past and upcoming bands.

I was first introduced to Eliran’s Art through US thrash metal quintet Testament’s 2008 release The Formation of Damnation. It was Eliran’s Art on the album cover that got me attracted to the brilliant complexity of his work. That was also my first introduction to Testament’s music that later became one of my all-time favourite bands. In 2017, The latest vinyl that I’ve picked that contains his Artwork was of the exhilarating Gaerea with their enthralling offering Limbo, before their most recent Manchester. UK show. I briefly spoke to him at Bloodstock Festival and expressed my love for his Art. Now, in the blazing Liverpudlian sun, it was a lovely sight to see his original Artwork to be on display in a place where metal music, Art and culture matters.

Thank you to Dark Earth Records and Eliran for letting me capture the successful evening up North (see, it doesn’t rain all the time)! Be sure to see his work up close at the exhibition (which will be open until January 2023) and/or at this year’s Bloodstock Festival. Big plans are coming from both sides so keep your eyes peeled on those!

I’ll let his Art speak for themselves… You may even see a few familiar faces in our metal community in my photo collection.

Enjoy folks!

Equipment: Nikon Z6II (x2), 14-24mm f2.8 S lens & 24-70mm f2.8 S len.