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Why artists shouldn’t stick to art

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Untitled painting by Zdzislaw Beksinski 1984 (fair use)

ZDZISLAW BEKSINSKI

Inspired by music, Beksinski‘s dark, gothic paintings evoke apocalyptic doom (though not necessarily metal). The Polish painter, sculptor and photographer deflected interpretations of what his works ‘meant’, saying, “I cannot conceive of a sensible statement on painting”.

Tool – ‘Sober’

I remember crawling out of my tent half-awake at midday, yesterday’s alcohol searing through my head, and being faced by a strange man in a babygro spelling out our doom in sulking, accusatory tones. His hair was ridiculous. They were mis-billed as “Cool”, which just made the whole thing more surreal. The show was incredible.

Rammstein – ‘Sonne’

The thunking riffs are suitably portentous, but the amusing video would have tickled Beksinski’s reportedly excellent sense of humour.

Metallica – ‘The Thing That Should Not Be’

I’m obviously referring to the fantasy elements of his work here. Ah, when Metallica were good. I can still play this eight or nine times in a row without tiring of it, and the fan-made video is wonderful (clips from 2005 film Call of Cthulhu).

Necessary – ‘Insisting On Racial Namecalling’

I want you to stop now, head on over to the Weltschmertz Industries website and download Necessary’s awe-inspiring double album for free. I’ll wait. It’s broadly electronica, but of the deepest, darkest, heaviest variety. Their drummer played for Prong, Godflesh and Swans, which should give some indication of how rib-shatteringly nasty it sounds. I really wish I’d heard this before compiling my best-of-the-year-so-far list.

Front Line Assembly – ‘Prophecy’

FLA’s dirgy breakbeat hits just the right gloomy note, even if my memories of this particular track are mostly of pleasant summer barbecues listening to it on my friend’s portable stereo.

Amebix – ‘Here Come The Wolf’

War, death and destruction is a recurring theme in Beksinski’s work so I think this Killing Joke-inspired track from Sonic Mass would be an ideal mixtape closer.

(continues overleaf) 

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