Logo #249: Kreator

Kreator's mascot was drawn by Phil Lawvere for the 1987 "Terrible Certainty" LP.

Logo #239: Buffalo

New Wave of British (or brutish, depending) Heavy Metal band Buffalo had its Holist bison designed by Geoff Ashworth and lead singer Mick Priestley. Priestley: "The Buffalo logo was an from idea of mine and designed by my friend Geoff back in the late '70s and I have used various forms of it ever since." Another rock band logo in the whole is much more than the sum of the parts - which is to say, were it only a hooved B, it'd be a terrifically funny logo indeed. The most popular NWOBHM bands at the moment seem to be: Def Leppard, Angel Witch, Girlschool, Samson, Diamond Head, Demon, Venom, Satan, Raven, A II Z. I sense a theme. Not to be confused with the burgeoning New Wave of Black Heavy Metal scene, naturally.

Logo #235: Flotsam and Jetsam

Here's a good example of a heavy metal band mascot that many consider as such but when you actually ask the band? Not to be! Flotzilla (also known as Flossie the Sea Monster) was designed by Kevin Tyler for Flotsam and Jetsam in 1992. Kelly Smith, Flotsam and Jetsam drummer: "Flotzilla was created as part of the story of Metal Shock and Doomsday that Jason Newsted wrote on the album. It first appeared on the cover of "Doomsday for the Deceiver." It wasn't used after that because Flotzilla was about that record, and there was already a Eddie in Iron Maiden and Megadeth had Vic Rattlehead. So we decided not to follow that trend." Not to be confused with The Jetsams, a cartoon about a family of trash that washed up on a beach in a dystopian future far, far away.

Completely unrelatedly, the Song of the Moment is "Holland, 1945" by Neutral Milk Hotel

Logo #233: Megadeth

Vic Rattlehead, mascot for thrash metal band Megadeth was originally designed by Dave Mustaine in 1985 and fleshed out to his classic configuration by Edward J. Repka for the 1986 "Peace Sells… But Who's Buying?" LP and the 1990 "Rust in Peace" LP. Repka also presented Biohazard's logo the same year. Busy guy, that Ed Repka. Vic's story is that, because his mouth, ears and eyes are clamped and welded shut, he can neither speak, hear nor see any evil - which either makes him an innocent on par with Cassandra and her Complex or just a really great real estate agent. Here he is, selling the United Nations. It was really, really strange seeing Dave Mustaine in therapy with Lars Ulrich in the 2001 Metallica documentary "Some Kind of Monster." Dave's whole mindset was that Megadeth was always second to Metallica. Sentimental hogwash! He should take a cue from the attitude of Tampax: "We're not #1 - but we're up there!" Also, if any of you professional ironists want to start making t-shirts again that say things like "Prayer" instead of Slayer and "Megalife" instead of Megadeth - in the words of Lacy Underall, "Go for it!"

Logo #207: Running Wild

German metal band Running Wild had their mascot Captain Adrian designed by band founder and singer Rolf "Rock'N'Rolf" Kasparek in 1983. They've cornered the "pirate heavy metal" market and there was a point in time at which a battle between Running Wild and Adam And The Ants to amass the most plunder was not entirely beyond belief. Conversely, we now know that the human appendix actually has a purpose. They celebrate almost a quarter-century as a band this year. Don't act so shocked.

Logo #191: Metallica

The "Scary Guy" was drawn by James Hetfield in 1992 for the three-track limited edition Metallica CD "Live At Wembley." It also appears on the "Live Shit: Binge & Purge" box, as well as the usual t-shirts and merch. If this was the first logo you looked for, you probably know a lot more about Metallica than I do. "Sad But True" is a brilliant track, but beyond that I kind of tune out. Many of their records are produced by Bob Rock, the bespectacled guitarist busking in the video for the Song of the Moment.

The Song of the Moment is "Eyes of a Stranger" by The Payola$.

Logo #190: Iced Earth

No, not a snack for Galactus, it's a heavy metal band. Greg Capullo and Iced Earth main man Jon Schaffer designed the ankh-scepter wielding Set Abominae for the band's 1998 LP "Something Wicked This Way Comes." Set figures in, erm, a set of four Iced Earth albums, a pending graphic novel about the prehistoric adventures of the Setian race on Earth, and possibly also a tote bag. Here they are now with "The Reckoning," in which we find out how many heavy metallers it takes to change a light-bulb. Know how many Union workers does it take to change a lightbulb? Well, just one - but he might have to use two hands if its one of those big long fluorescent bulbs.

Logo #187: Exumer

Exumer's sadly unheralded heavy metal mascot (the "Halloween Guy") was created by the ironically unsung Martin Apholdt in 1986. Exumer vocalist Mem von Stein, who now leads Brooklyn metal merchants Sun Descends: "We asked the guy to come up with an idea for the album design based on the title of the first album, "Possessed by Fire." We kept him for the second album and he took the masked guy and applied to the title of the follow-up, "Rising from the Sea"."

Speaking of #187, This Day in Death:
Keith Haring (May 4, 1958 – February 16, 1990)

Logo #162: Disturbed

Melodic metal merchants Disturbed currently rock two symbols: first, the Mick Haggerty-designed mash-up representing the world's religions all rolled up into one big beautiful theological Tootsie-Pop, from the cover of their 2002 "Believe" LP - and "The Guy," created by Greg Capullo and Todd McFarlane for the cover of their "Ten Thousand Fists" album in 2005. "Down With The Sickness" is truly their standout hit, their magnum opus (or dopiest, depending on where you stand on modern heavy metal) - beautifully suitable for zombie film remakes or just driving down Vignes Street in Los Angeles. Don't you want to be down with the Vignes? Until suddenly it changes, that is. Violently it changes. Oh no.

Logo #149: Ugly Kid Joe

Illustrated by Moish Brenman for the Santa Barbara party-metal band's 1991 debut "As Ugly As They Wanna Be."

Logo #148: Green Jellö

Euck, mascot for Green Jellö, was designed in 1981 by the heavy metal / Grand Guignol band's founder Bill "Moronic Dictator" Manspeaker. As heavy metal mascots go, Euck is routinely dismissed if not outright forgotten, but not this time. Just imagine vast hordes of Eucks swarming around a 60-ft. tall Eddie as that interdimensional wall splits open and all these mascots come invade Earth and everyone weeps. Euck looks more than just a little like '70s poison control campaigner Mr. Yuk, whose theme song of his is almost as much an earworm as Green Jellö's "Three Little Pigs". Mr. Yuk was created by Wendy Brown, a little girl at a school near Pittsburgh Children's Hospital, for their poison control center. She won a tape recorder for her efforts. Probably a Tandy.

"Three Little Pigs" was the song from which there was no escape in 1993 and at the very least, its success kept them from the terror of having to battle Wally George alongside G-War on "The Hot Seat." Poor Wally. He would have been positively apoplectic if faced with both bands' alternate number, Caroliner Rainbow. Strike them hard, drag them to church, indeed.

Logo #124: Dio

Murray, Ronnie James Dio's mascot, was designed by Randy Berrett and Gene Hunter in 1983 to grace the cover of the "Holy Diver" LP. The "Dream Evil" tour souvenir book in 1987 published a more evocative account of his origin. Apparently he's the inspiration for most of Dio's recorded output! And here I thought it was all about chasing women. We reproduce it here in its entirety for your delectation now.

"Aeons and aeons ago, when the Earth was still young, there were two tribes who lived on the planet: giants, known as Malacovians, who ruled with much benevolence - and the Cyclops, a tribe of one-eyed monsters whose evil was a constant threat to the peace and contentment that existed.

Roncador was the head of the Malacovians, and his reign yielded a golden age, with his people feasting on an abundance of fruits and fresh spring waters, spending their days dancing, laughing, and singing in the magic of the forests and meadows. Meszrio, the leader of the Cyclops, wanted to rule the earth, so he prophesied to Roncador a lie that brought an abrupt end to the Malacovians' happiness. Meszrio told Roncador that he would die by the hands of a son.

As Meszrio had hoped, Roncador went completely mad when he heard this prophesy, and consequently had each of his male offspring brutally killed as soon as they were born. However, one escaped, Murralsee, thanks to the ruse of his mother. Murralsee was hidden in the Cave of Feneralia, ostensibly until he reached the age of maturity, whereupon he could be returned to what would be his birthright as head of the Malacovian tribe. Murralsee's mother was the only living soul who know of his existence and whereabouts, yet instilled in him a fear of his father so great he would never leave the confines of the cave. To further insure his safety and life, Murralsee's mother fed him a strong, magical sleeping potion made by the Fakreddin Faeries. Murralsee slept, completely oblivious for nearly a trillion years. When Murralsee awoke, he had no idea how long he had slept or of the changes that had occurred in the world. He did not know that Meszrio had indeed, taken evil possession of the Earth. He did not know of the ensuing decay and degeneration that held the descendants of the Malacovians trapped in misery. Nor did Murralsee know that his father, Roncador, had long been dead. Murralsee was also unaware of the horrible mutations that had taken place while his body grew from that of a young child as he slept. Where should have been a magnificent and beautiful (albeit giant) creature, was instead a frightful monster, disfigured apparently by the dank and stale environment of the cave. Murralsee's eyes had become an eerie blood-red color, and his skin tone had discolored.

Nevertheless, with a great sense of trepidation and an overwhelming hunger (and still ever-fearful of his father), Murralsee took his first steps outside of the Cave of Feneralia. This first venture out proved not to be an enjoyable experience whatsoever. When the now tiny creatures of Earth (called Human Beings) saw him, they screamed in horror. Over the years, further chance glimpses of Murralsee provided the same reactions, and legends were born of a great monster who inhabited the hills. And then, one day about five years ago, something special happened.

Ronnie James Dio was a singer in a rock'n'roll band who held a great fascination for the magical myths sprung from the Earth's past. On this particular day, he jumped into his car and set off in search of a myth or two. The sun was still high when he pulled the car off to the side of the road, and then began to walk deep into the forest. That's when he stumbled upon the gigantic creature, Murralsee. At first, Murralsee figured that this Human Being creature would run away in horror as all the others had done. But this one did not; in fact, Ronnie James Dio was the first Human Being creature who DIDN'T run away.

At first, their conversation was tentative. Murralsee wasn't actually used to talking, so he was a bit difficult for Ronnie to understand (Ronnie never did properly hear Murralsee's name, and to this day, calls him "Murray"). But Ronnie James Dio, the Human Being, singer in a rock'n'roll band, and Murralsee, the only living giant Malacovian, became friends. Ronnie James Dio frequently returned to the place deep in the forest where he would meet "Murray." During these visits, he would delight Ronnie with stories of what he remembered from when the Earth was young, and Ronnie would go home and write songs about them. As a tribute to his new friend, Ronnie asked if he could put "Murray" on the covers of his solo albums, and "Murray," quite flattered, agreed.

Since doing this, Ronnie has discovered that the Human Beings are still horrified by the sight of Murray. This is why he has just decided to tell the story of Murralsee/Murray and let people know just who and what he is. It hadn't been a very happy life for Murralsee here on Earth, out of his own time and space, until he met Ronnie. Since then, Ronnie has introduced Murray to hundreds of thousands of Ronnie's fans around the world, and Murray has become quite a celebrity himself. As Ronnie found out, even today, in 1987, the Earth still holds many magical surprises. It just goes to show you what interesting and different things you can find on the planet if you're not afraid to have an adventure."

Contrary to popular belief, "Rainbow In The Dark" is not about Rob Halford.

Logo #120: Sodom

German thrash merchants Sodom had their mascot drawn for them by Johannes Beck in 1987. His name is Knarrenheinz. Founding vocalist / bassist Tom Angelripper originally began the band in 1982 to escape the grind of the coal mines of the West German city of Gelsenkirchen for a grind of another kind entirely. As the Cold War was in full frost at the time, the concept of the faceless, gas-masked soldier drifting through war-torn, apocalyptic landscapes doubtlessly made sense on multiple levels. It's a heavy metal mascot with context, relevance and personal investment - hampered slightly by the general overall peace of the '90s - but now invigorated through a whole new series of conflicts. Sodom's latest album, "The Final Sign of Evil," appeared in autumn of 2007. One of their recent visual memes, that of a chainsaw and chaingun aiming from the darkness from their self-titled 2006 SPV LP, produced by Eroc(!), the drummer from Kosmische(?!) band Grobschnitt(%), is very powerful indeed. Great stuff!

Whither goeth cover band Gomorrah?

Logo #108: Kataklysm

This heavy demon was created for metal merchants Kataklysm by Anthony Clarkson in 2006.

Logo #106: Iron Maiden

#1 heavy metal mascot Eddie here was drawn by artist Derek Riggs in 1980.

Logo #91: Motörhead

Designer: Joe Petagno, 1977. Not so much a rock band logo as it is a visual Armageddon in which the cornerstones of heavy metal all battle each other across one demonic face. Fangs, horns, tusks, chains, the Iron Cross - this one's got it all. Speaking recently in an interview, Petagno says, "I met Lemmy while I was doing some work with Hawkwind. He had just quit and was looking for someone to do a logo for his own project which was of course "Motörhead". We discussed various ideas down at the local pub 'round the corner from his management office on the Great Western Road. A couple of weeks later, the now-infamous skull was born. Must have been around April-May of '75." This was a springtime that saw the fall of Saigon and the attendant chaos of choplifted escapes, the release of the giallo "The Bloodsucker Leads the Dance," and the Omaha Tornado. Here's some Motörhead now. Lemmy always comes off as remarkably modest and level-headed. The lady singing on that first track is Kelly Johnson (June 20, 1958 - July 15, 2007) of Girlschool. It should also be noted that Tawn Mastrey, who appears in the beginning of that clip from "The Decline of Western Civilization Part II", was a tireless promoter of heavy metal and a wonderful voice in her own right, died earlier this month, aged 53. Snaggletooth wept.

Logo #85: Children of Bodom

Illustrated by Graham French, Roy the Reaper first appeared on the Finnish metallers' 1997 "Something Wild" LP. Roy is named for the scene in the 1991 film "Hot Shots!" during which Admiral Benson (played by Lloyd Bridges) is watching a painting. Most recently, Roy (or a reaper like him) manifested himself in the video game "Guitar Hero," playing his scythe like a guitar. You can just barely make out Roy's resemblance here to Max von Sydow; here, on the cover of the "Follow the Reaper" LP, he's a far more contemplative Reaper than Grim Reaper's Reaper - but is he a cheaper, deeper keeper of a Reaper? Fittingly, Children of Bodom is named after the unsolved multiple murders in 1960 at the shore of Lake Bodom in their hometown of Espoo, a city just west of Helsinki. Here they are with their brilliantly titled smash "Needled 24/7."

Logo #49: HammerFall

This is Hector. He's a warrior. Not the "shootin' at the walls of heartache" kind of warrior. The other kind. He was designed for Swedish very metal band HammerFall by noted genre illustrator Andreas Marschall in 1997 for their debut album "Glory to the Brave". For their fourth album, "Crimson Thunder," the nameless knight's entire sense of self was momentarily endangered - not by Eddie or Snaggletooth or Chaly, but by a contest by band to come up with a name for the stalwart slayer. A global “Name The Warrior" contest was held to give him a new identity; votes from the Maldives were rejected amid controversial accusations of ballot-stuffing. This existential cliffhanger seemed to please the two-dimensional death-dealer - and so he smiles... knowing that the day of HAMMERFALL is soon at hand! That, and because drawings who don't know what it is to touch can never really be hurt.

Logo #48: Coal Chamber

Designed by "alternative metal" band Coal Chamber's guitarist Miguel "Meegs" Rascón in 1996. Meegs: "I designed the logo before the band put out its first record. I drew the logo on a piece of paper with my left hand (to make it seem like a child wrote it), then took it to a tattoo artist and had it tattooed on my right forearm. After this, the band decided that the tattoo should be the logo, and the rest is history!" Short and sweet, just like the logo, which lives in a happy post-nuclear family of uncertain emotions and unclear futures to go along with the ironically tentative present. Glass Pinata (no tilde, oddly) is Rascón's latest band.