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Bands misc (1 numbers or more)
Releases (9 numbers or more)
- Frost and Fire (Sat 31 Jan 1981)
- King of the Dead (Mon 02 Jul 1984)
- One Foot In Hell (Tue 12 Aug 1986)
- Paradise Lost (Fri 23 Aug 1991)
- Witch’s Game (Fri 05 Oct 2018)
- I’m Alive (Mon 25 Nov 2019)
- Forever Black (Fri 24 Apr 2020)
- Half Past Human (Fri 28 May 2021)
- Dark Parade (Fri 20 Oct 2023)
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- π Michael Whelan (DuckDuckGo search or Google search or WP search or FB)
Michael Raymond Whelan is an USA artist of imaginative realism. For more than 30 years, he worked as an illustrator specializing in science fiction and fantasy cover art amongst others Cirith Ungol, Sacred Rite, Sepultura, Soulfly, Obituary, Demolition Hammer, Evile, Smoulder, Meat Loaf, and the books H.P. Lovecraft.
Since the mid-1990s, he has pursued a fine art career, selling non-commissioned paintings through galleries in the United States and through his website.
The paintings ofΒ Elric of Melniboné originally used for Michael Moorcock‘s fantasy novels, have been used for all four Cirith Ungol studio albums. The cover art has their own titles and were all made in the 1970’s. Some of the paintings are available at Whelan’s webshop. Here is an overview of which chronologically painting has been used for which album cover. The font of the sword: “Those are runes. Stormbringer is a demonic blade that consumes the souls of its victims.”
- Elric Of MelnibonΓ©
- Sailor on the Seas of Fate
- Urishβs Bane
- Stormbringer
- King of the Dead
- White Wolf
- Elric Demonslayer
- Elric and The Sinking City
- The Dark Towers: Sister Mary Came From The Shadows
- Elric in Exile
Elric Of MelnibonΓ© (1976)
- Original painting: Elric Of MelnibonΓ© (1976)
For ten thousand years MelnibonΓ© ruled the world. Elric, the 428th Emperor, seemed destined to see that era come to an end. An albino, sustained by rare drugs, it fell to him to confront the rise of the Young Kingdoms, of the monsters and sorceries which were threatening to overwhelm him and his ancient crown.
The Elric novels have already become classics of heroic fantasy and future projection. DAW is proud to present them to an eager public in new editions, corrected and revised by michael Moorcock.
- Elric 1. Elric of MelnibonΓ© (1976)
- Return of the Dead Kings (bootleg, 2009)
- Elric – Antihero (2017) – this is not Cirith Ungol
- I’m Alive (2019)
Sailor on the Seas of Fate (1976)
- Original painting: Sailor on the Seas of Fate (1976)
Michael Whelan has done 7 full color paintings, many black and whites illustrations, and drawings of Michael Moorcock’s anti-hero Elric of Melnibone. This painting is his favorite.
Acrylic on Illustration Board – 20″ X 30″. The full painting can be seen and bought at the official Michael Whelan websiteΒ and here.
Leaving his cousin Yrkoon sitting as regent upon the Ruby Throne of Melnibone, leaving his cousin Cymoril weeping for him and despairing of his ever returning, Elric sailed from Imrryr, the Dreaming City, and went to seek an unknown goal in the world of the Young Kingdoms where Melniboneans were at best, disliked.
Urishβs Bane (1976)
- Original painting: Urishβs Bane (1976)
A fascinating book that gave me the fun of painting a “no-holds-barred” demon. In many ways I did this one for me–dark–and I’m pleased it has received such a positive response from the readers.
Acrylic on masonite – 24″ x 18″. The full cover can be seen at the official Michael Whelan website.
The Vanishing Tower is a continuation of βThe Elric Sagaβ where the wandering albino prince makes the acquaintance of, and adventures with his multiverse brothers, and learns a great deal about his fate, and the fate of his world.
The demon of Ashaneloon Castle.
Stormbringer (1977)
- Original painting: Stormbringer (1977)
This is probably Michael Whelan’s most famous painting of Michael Moorcock’s legendary anti-hero Elric of Melnibone. Whenever he sees it he can’t help smiling, because he remembers Donald Wollheim saying that “green covers never sell books.” Yet Don took the chance and used it for the cover and it sold great.
Acrylic on Masonite – 30″ x 20″. The full painting can be seen at bought at the official Michael Whelan website, and hereΒ and a funny stuff here.
The epic tale of Elric of MelnibonΓ©, albino prince of ruins, moves to its awesome conclusion β with the whole of the natural and supernatural world in mighty conflict β the final conflict, Armageddon. Elric holds the key to the future: the new age which must follow the destruction. To turn that key he must sacrifice all that he loves and risk his very soul.
- Elric 6. Stormbringer (1977)
- Elric – Stormbringer (2017) – this is not Cirith Ungol
- Frost and Fire (1981)
King of the Dead (1977)
- Original painting: King of the Dead (1977)
Gouache on illustration board. The full painting can be seen at the official Michael Whelan website.
Stormbringer is brought Home! Elric returns to Yishana, and finds peace at last. Meanwhile, at the world’s rim, dragging red horror in its wake, a horde unimaginable moves on the fabled, gentle, impossible city, Tanelorn.
- Elric 5. The Bane of the Black Sword (1977)
- King of the Dead (1984)
- King of the Stage – Live (bootleg, 2008?)
- v/a – Mixtape
- Metal Forces – The Italian Fanzine 3 (1985)
White Wolf (1977)
- Original painting: White Wolf (1977)
Elric derives his strength and magical powers from his sword Stormbringer which feeds on the souls of those it kills.
Oils and Acrylic on Illustration Board – 26″ x 17″. The full cover can be seen at the official Michael Whelan website.
Michael John Moorcock is a prolific English writer primarily of science fiction and fantasy who has also published a number of literary novels. Morrcockβs most famous popular works by far have been the Elric novels, starring the character Elric of Melnibone. In these books, Elric is an anti-hero written as a deliberate reversal of what Moorcock saw as cliches commonly found in fantasy adventure novels. Weird of the White Wolf is the third of a six-volume series of the original stories written about the albino prince.
- Elric 3. The Weird of the White Wolf (1977)
- Live Kings (bootleg, 1992?)
- Elric of Melnibone (2017) – this is not Cirith Ungol
- Servants of Chaos (2001)
- Half Past Human (2021)
Elric Demonslayer (1980)
- Original painting: Elric Demonslayer (1980)
Originally done for the frontispiece of a special hardcover edition of THE VANISHING TOWER by Michael Moorcock.
Acrylic on Panel – 24″ x 16″. Demonslayer (incorrectly is Dragonslayer). The full cover can be seen at the official Michael Whelan website and here.
The swashbuckling and fantastic adventures of the moody albino prince β Elric β and his soul-drinking runesword, called Storm-bringer. The two are on a quest for The Vanishing Tower, which stands at the nexus of space and time and is a gateway into other dimensions. Elric must conquer the demon that inhabits the tower and tame the soul of his black runesword.This tale and its heroes weave in and out of events throughout Moorcockβs Eternal Champion series.
The first Elric was special hardcover edition ofΒ Elric of MelnibonΓ© (1977), illustrated byΒ Robert Gould on Blue Star Publishers. See isfdbΒ andΒ amazon. The fourth special hardcoverΒ Vanishing Tower (31 May 1981), was illustrated toΒ Michael Whelan on Archival Press/Donald M. Grant Pub Inc. See the isfdb and amazon.
The demon of Ashaneloon Castle. It was the plan of have a live recording from the 1980’s, but it has unfortunately failed. See the interview from nearer the bottom there. There is also the book named The Year’s Best Fantasy Stories: 7 (DAW Books, Oct 1981), see the isfdb.
- Elric 4 special hardcover edition
- Live (incomplete)
Elric and The Sinking City (1984)
- Original painting: Elric and The Sinking City (1984)
As Michael has said many times, he loves painting texture and he really enjoyed it for this cover. He also enjoyed portraying Elric in a more somber and reflective pose than on his other covers.
Acrylic on Canvas – 36″ X 20″. The full painting can be seen at the official Michael Whelan websiteΒ and here.
- Elric 7. Elric at the End of Time (1985)
- A Little Fire (April joke, 2010)
- Demo ’79 (bootleg, 2016)
- Dark Parade (2023)
Sister Mary Came From The Shadows (2005)
The Dark Towers
- The Gunslinger (1982)
- The Drawing of the Three (1987)
- The Waste Lands (1991)
- Wizard and Glass (1997)
- The Little Sisters of Eluria (1998)
- Wolves of the Calla (2003)
- Song of Susannah (2004)
- The Dark Tower (2004)
- The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012)
The Dark Towers above is alphabetical, not chronological. Sisters Mary Came From The Shadows is exceptionally non-Elric, and author was Stephen King.
Oil on Panel – 12″ x 19 Β½”. The full painting can be seen at the official Michael Whelan websiteΒ and here.
The Little Sisters of Eluria by Stephen King, publisher Donald M. Grant Pub IncΒ (1998)
This 4,000 copy Limited Artist Edition is numbered and is signed by Michael Whelan. It is issued in a foil stamped slipcase. Published in a larger format than the Dark Tower series which enhances Michael Whelanβs thirteen full color plates and over twenty-three black & white designs.
The 12″ single Witch’s Game, is from the movie The Planet of Doom β An Animated Tale of Metal and Art.
Elric in Exile (2012)
- Original painting: Elric in Exile (2012)
A small Elric painting that became the album cover for “Forever Black” by Cirith Ungol.
Acrylic on Canvas – 9″ x 12″. The full painting can be seen at the official Michael Whelan website.
Various
- Whelan
- Tim, Michael W., Rob. Last night we went to the Riverside Art Museum to see the newly opened art exhibit by Michael Raymond Whelan. Not only is he a good friend, and supporter of the band, but in my opinion the greatest living artist of our generation. If you have a chance, run dont walk to see his exhibition, it runs through May. The amount and quality of the work displayed borders on the the surreal. This show includes the illustration “Stormbringer” which graced our first album “Frost & Fire”! To say were humbled to be in the presence of this master is an undersatement. Seeing “Stormbriger” in the flesh for the first time brought tears to my eyes. There is no print, no image, nothing that can due justice to this original masterpiece. There was talk about collaboration for a new project! Stay tuned!!! (14 Feb 2017)
- Tim, Rob
- Tim
- Rob with Whelan horror art: Lovecraft’s Nightmare. Later Obituary – Cause of Death (left) and Demolition Hammer – Epidemic of Violence (right)
- 12 Feb 2017
- 19 May 2017
- Event: Beyond Science Fiction: The Alternative Realism of Michael Whelan. 12 Feb 2017
- Event: An evening with Michael Whelan 19 May 2017
The Corroseum: Your covers were done by the formidable M. Whelan. How did you manage to get his permission to use his works? Do you consider the elf warrior on all your covers some kind of trademark for the band, some kind of mascot? What would be the best album cover of the band in your opinion and why
GREG: Michael is the finest fantasy artist around. I think maybe some people buy the album for the cover art and throw the record away! The series of Elric paintings gives the albums a nice sense of continuity. And Michael has a couple more Elric paintings that could be used for a new album. Personally, I think the F & F cover is one of the best album covers ever.
Metal Heart: How did you get in contact with Michael Whelan by that way, the drawer of your very impressive album-covers? Just phoned him and he said: Yeah? Has he ever heard your music and what does he think of Cirith Ungol? Did you have to pay for the covers a lot?
ROBERT: At the time we wanted a βSword and Sorceryβ (S&S) theme cover called βBerserkerβ by Frank Frazetta (a famous S&S artist) but it was taken by the country rock band Molly Hatchet! I was reading βStormbringerβ by Michael Moorcock at the time and was thinking man this is the ultimate cover art! I never thought we could use it but I contacted the publisher who got me in touch with Michael Whelan, who is one of the few people in our entire music career who was honest, friendly and kind, and he let us use it. I think we were the first album covers he had done at the time and we really wanted to use all his βElricβ series on our covers which we did! I told him that I always wanted to buy the painting for the cover Stormbringer from him if we made it big but we never did. He was quite successful then, but now he is probably the world foremost fantasy artist/painter/illustrator and his paintings cost $$$. I think he liked our music especially βFrost and Fireβ. We really didnβt pay him much money back then but now Iβm sure he would be very expensive. Recently he painted Meatloafβs βBat out of Hellβ and some covers for the band Sepultura. It is funny, Deep Purple had an album named after the book and we got the cover. Blue Oyster Cult also had a song βBane of the Black Swordβ which was based on Michael Moorcockβs writing. Moorcock himself wrote and played with an English band βHawkwindβ.
Truemetal: As usual you used Michael Whelanβs painting for the album cover. How does this collaboration begin? Is he a Cirith Ungol fan?
Rob: This fantastic painting we chose for the cover, βElric in Exileβ, perfectly reflects the dark and brooding mood of this album. Yes, it was painted by Michael Whelan, whose art graces our 4 other studio albums, our single, βWitchβs Gameβ, and our live album, βIβm Aliveβ. He is a world-renowned artist, whose masterpieces have been featured on albums by bands such as; Sepultura and Smoulder, and authors; Ray Bradbury, Michael Moorcock, Isaac Asimov, Stephen King, and Arthur C Clarke.
Ever since we forged a relationship with Michael Whelan with our first album, βFrost & Fireβ, our dream was to use his series of ElriΔ of Melnibone covers from the 1980βs DAW Book editions, for all our future covers. Of course, back then we were a young band and had no idea what the future held for us, or how many albums we would ever produce. Once again, we are honored and privileged, to have this renowned artistβs work again gracing our latest album, and hope to continue to work with him on any future projects! He has been one of the bands best and most stedfast friends throughout the years, even coming out to see the band play in Brooklyn, New York at the βDefenders of the Oldβ festival!
Publisher Donald M. Grant Pub IncΒ is origin artist for Donald Metcalf Grant (03 Apr 1927 β 19 Aug 2009).
Michael Whelan | Michael Moorcock | Cirith Ungol |
Stormbringer (1977) | Elric 6. Stormbringer (Nov 1977) | Frost and Fire (31 Jan 1981) album 1 |
King of the Dead (1977) | Elric 5. The Bane of the Black Sword (Oct 1977) | King of the Dead (02 Jul 1984) album 2 |
Urish’s Bane (1976) | Elric 4. The Vanishing Tower (Jun 1977) | One Foot In Hell (12 Aug 1986) album 3 |
Sailor on the Sea of Fate (1976) | Elric 2. The Sailor on the Seas of Fate (Dec 1976) | Paradise Lost (23 Aug 1991) album 4 Sailor on the Seas of Fate song on Dark Parade (20 Oct 2023) |
White Wolf (1977) | Elric 3. The Weird of the White Wolf (Mar 1977) | Servants of Chaos (05 May 2001) rare compilation album Half Past Human (28 May 2021) newly recorded versions of 1970’s rarities |
The Dark Towers 5. The Little Sisters of Eluria (1998) by Stephen King | Witch’s Game (05 Oct 2018) maxi single | |
Elric Of Melniboné (1976) | Elric 1. Elric of Melniboné (Oct 1976) | I'm Alive (25 Nov 2019) live album |
Elric in Exile (2012) | bootleg Forever Black (24 Apr 2020) album 5 | |
Elric and The Sinking City (1984) | Elric 7. Elric at the End of Time (May 1985) | bootlegs Dark Parade (20 Oct 2023) album 6 |
Elric Demonslayer (1980) | Elric 4. The Vanishing Tower (31 May 1981) - special hardcover edition |
See also:
- Official Michael Whelan website
- FB
- πΒ (Twitter)
- Summary Bibliography: Michael Whelan – isdfb
- DMR books – Metallic Mirrors Part One: Michael Whelan
- DMR Books – Whelan and Elric
- Discogs
- Metal Archives
- isfdb
- Wikipedia
- Robert Gould
- Rodney Matthews
- Frank Brunner
- Gerald Brom
- Michael Moorcock
- Urishβs Hoard β The Guide To Elric Collectibles
- Michael Whelan @ Amazon
- CU@FB
- Abe Books
- Barnes & Noble
- CD Universe
- CDandLP
- eBay.com
- EMP DE Global
- EMP UK Global
- F.Y.E.
- iTunes.com
- Sonic Age Records
- Tradera
- Walmart
- YesAsia
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