Get ready for a hot take on the world of music and art! DARK ANGEL's Gene Hoglan sets the record straight on their latest album's artwork, and it's a doozy!
In a recent podcast interview, Gene Hoglan, the talented drummer of DARK ANGEL, shared his thoughts on the controversial topic of using artificial intelligence (AI) in album cover design. Specifically, he addressed the band's latest LP, "Extinction Level Event," and the artwork that accompanied it.
Gene revealed that the band did utilize some AI elements in their artwork, but here's where it gets interesting: he clarified that the artwork was not solely created by AI. In fact, it took a whopping three years to bring the vision to life, with many concepts originating from Gene himself.
"It's like a kickass art revolution!" Gene exclaimed. "Each song on the album has its own unique artwork, carefully tied to the song's subject matter. And let me tell you, the artwork is nothing short of incredible!"
But here's where it gets controversial... Gene compared the backlash against AI art to the shift from physical albums to digital downloads. He explained, "Artists who were traditionalists back then might have felt threatened by the new technology, just like some people today are against AI. But technology evolves, and we have to evolve with it!"
And this is the part most people miss... Gene emphasized the human effort behind the artwork. He revealed that the artist, Cain Gillis, spent over 2,000 hours crafting the artwork, blending photography and computer techniques. "It's not just about typing a sentence into an AI generator," Gene said. "There's a ton of human work and creativity involved!"
Gene acknowledged the differing opinions on AI art, but he stands by his love for the artwork. "I understand the backlash, but I'm not gonna deny myself the pleasure of our music and art because of it. I know the hard work that went into it!"
"Extinction Level Event" is DARK ANGEL's first new album in 34 years, and it's a testament to their dedication and artistic vision. The album was released digitally on September 5, 2023, and it features songs written by Gene and his wife, Laura Christine, who joined the band after the passing of their longtime guitarist, Jim Durkin.
So, what do you think? Is AI art the future, or should we stick to traditional methods? Let's spark a discussion in the comments! Are you team AI or team traditional art? Share your thoughts and let's keep the conversation going!
