Originally published in And Justice For Art Vol. X book
Fragments Of A Past Life
Interview3 min read
Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory is an ambitious recording that displays dream theaters proficient musicianship an versatile Prog Rock/Metal sound. Through staggering tracks like ‘Overture 1928’, ‘Home’, ‘The Spirit Carries On’, ‘The Dance Of Eternity’ and ‘Finally Free’, this masterful concept album tells the story of Nicholas, a man who recalls (via regression therapy) a previous life and a fateful love triangle that eventually led to murder.
The illustration featured on the cover of the American band’s fifth studio album showcases the face of a man (apparently Nicholas) tangled with small photographs that seem to represent fragments of his life. Designed by renowned British artist, Dave McKean, this mixed media piece evokes certain aspects of the album story line which explores topics related to the transcendence of memory and the human spirit. Below, McKean explains how this enigmatic image was brought to life.
Ramón Oscuro Martos: Apparently, you became in charge of designing the cover artwork for Metropolis Pt. 2 because of your connection with Mullmuzzler – the solo project of Dream Theater’s singer, James LaBrie. Do you remember how it happened?
Dave McKean: I think it was just an email out of the blue. I was doing a cover for James LaBrie [for Mullmuzzler’s debut album, Keep It To Yourself] and I can't remember whether that was the first connection or it came out of doing the Metropolis Pt. 2. I know they have seen an image I did for a cover of [the comic book series] Sandman: a face made from lots of small photos of other faces. That was the trigger.
ROM: Metropolis Pt. 2 is a concept album that involves recalling a previous life through regression therapy, a love triangle, murder and more. Did you have any initial discussions with the band, the record label or their management about the album story and the cover concept?
DM: yes, I'm sure we ran over the story and the basic idea of the peace. But I think they very much like the Sandman cover image and wanted something along those lines.
ROM: Where there any other cover concepts that you considered but eventually discarded?
DM: No. I did a couple of backup images using blurred photos and details and I think these were picked up elsewhere. I also did a single cover image along the same lines focusing on the eye of the main character.
ROM: Like many of your other album covers, this artwork seems to be the result of mixing photography, collage, traditional and digital design, etc. How did you bring it to life?
DM: I seem to remember it being a quick job, I did the piece in a day and sent it off. There is a base painting in acrylic of the face, then I added images in Photoshop and graded the whole Image to blend well. The painting is about 20 inches square and quite abstract as a base. [the face was from] a professional model shop in London.
[The other photos were] models from previous shoots and a couple of friends. They [the members of the band] had their own logo so, I'm usually, I was not involved in the type design... it all took about a day.
ROM: Did you try different versions of the artwork – using various faces, photographs, placing images in different order, etc.?
DM: I'm sure I did, I usually save off versions as I go, so I can try things and not worry about losing control and parts of the image I like. Photoshop frees you up to try anything and not worry about losing anything, you can always go back.