Watain’s album ‘Lawless Darkness’ Illustrations

By Zbigniew M. Bielak

Zbigniew M. Bielak's illustration for Watain's Lawless Darkness album booklet

Watain’s Lawless Darkness album cover by Zbigniew M. Bielak featuring ornate illustrations and tracklist

Vinyl album with detailed illustration by Zbigniew M. Bielak for Watain's 'Lawless Darkness'

Zbigniew M. Bielak's illustration for Watain's album 'Lawless Darkness' featuring skeletal figures around a central vortex

Watain’s album ‘Lawless Darkness’ by Zbigniew M. Bielak, featuring intricate illustrations

Watain’s album ‘Lawless Darkness’ package design by Zbigniew M. Bielak

Illustration of skeletons framing a circular mirror by Zbigniew M. Bielak for Watain's 'Lawless Darkness'

Zbigniew M. Bielak's illustration for Watain's album 'Lawless Darkness', depicting intricate swirling patterns

Triangle with entwined serpents, skull, and musical symbols by Zbigniew M. Bielak

Zbigniew M. Bielak's 'Lawless Darkness' album cover with skeletal figure and triangle design

Illustration of a multi-armed demon figure with symbols and skulls by Zbigniew M. Bielak

Intricate black-and-white illustration by Zbigniew M. Bielak for Watain's album 'Lawless Darkness'

Overview

You know how some records just feel like they’re part of the music? The Watain’s 2010 album 'Lawless Darkness' is one of those.

When the album itself was art and we'd listen, read and feel the music.

It's a limited edition double vinyl comes in a die-cut sleeve that’s as much ritual object as packaging. Zbigniew's illustrations are dense, obsessive, and quite macabre. Full of bones, wolves and vertebrae. This is definitely not what sweet dreams are made of.

The calligraphy by the late Timo Ketola adds another layer of craft. His lettering feels very much ceremonial and straight out of the Middle Ages, like it was inked with ash and blood.