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MAR 25.10

Ten Greatest Album Covers in Roadrunner History: #1

#1 Type O Negative - Bloody Kisses

Brooklyn goth act Type O Negative may have warned fans not to “mistake lack of talent for genius” on the back cover, but there is no denying that the band found their footing with this 1993 magnum opus – and first Roadrunner album to achieve Gold status. Equally perverse and romantic, the album’s message was a more refined version of the band’s broken, beaten and scarred outlook, yet still brimming with thick sarcasm and self-deprecating of the goth scene they were associated. Sonically, the dark, moody tones met more streamlined melodicism, thus enhancing the band’s accessibility to a wider audience as an added result.

Infectious singles like “Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)” and “Christian Woman” dominated the radio waves, and catapulted the band into the spotlight. And the iconic image representing their master work didn’t hurt in the least: A photo of two women in a passionate embrace, the visual depiction of a bloody kiss on their lips, this was an album that piqued curiosities and beamed success.

In the extensive liner notes of the Top Shelf Edition of the album, frontman Peter Steele explains the cover shot, saying, “I suppose that was my idea. I’m not really sure how it came about, but there’s nothing better than having two flowers in one place at one time, so that’s what we did. I still complain that the color is off though.”

Adds keyboardist Josh Silver, “I think Peter had a darker idea in mind, but he likes lesbians so it’s okay.”

Watch as Senior VP of A&R Monte Conner (who was at the cover photo shoot and every step of the way during the making of this album!) weighs in on the masterpiece in the video below. Watch the official video for "Black No. 1" below as well, and get your copy of our No. 1 Bloody Kisses for a special discount RIGHT HERE.

Go HERE to see our complete list of the Ten Greatest Album Covers in Roadrunner History.

Now that you've seen our top 10, did your favorite Roadrunner cover make the list?

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Tags: Type O Negative, bloody kisses, feature, interview, Josh Silver, Monte Conner, Peter Steele, Ten Greatest Album Covers in Roadrunner History, video
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Posted by: Jared Strom | 03.27.2010

yeah man i totally agree, i was part of the website that hosted all the artists who worked on that album cover, the art that came forth was totally mind blowing!!! » » Close Comments » Report Abuse

03.26.2010 Gareth Jeffs wrote...

Very Dissapointing!! I am in an unsigned band and I would challenge any of the top 10 covers to be better than our album cover. Check it out at www.xerosun.com or my profile photo.
Comments are most welcome :-)

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03.26.2010 Christopher Bohne wrote...

I know Mercyful Fate's "Don't Break the Oath" was a Roadrunner re-issue... but that is one of the most powerful pieces of cover art that ever graced a Roadrunner related title and also of all time. "Abigail" should've also been much higher up the list. Any real Black Metaller will tell you that those two covers are ones that are very influencial to our scene & are the most easily recognized. ICONIC!