If you are familiar with modern death metal album covers, then there’s no doubt you’ve noticed the stunning artwork by artist Juanjo Castellano Rosado. He was nice enough to allow me to interview him.
1) Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? At what age did you discover metal?
Greetings David,
First of, sorry for massive delay in answering the interview.
I was born in San Sebastian, in the north of Spain. Anyway my I have spent my live between Madrid and Avila.
I do not remember exactly how old I was when I discovered metal, but for sure I was very young,
Without a doubt, it was in the golden age of Heavy Metal. The first bands I discovered were MANOWAR, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, MOTLEY CRUE, TWISTED SISTER, etc.
2) What's the metal scene like where you live?
Well, I live in Madrid, here there are a lot of metal bands in general. But speaking of extreme metal, I could certainly cite bands just like AVULSED, HAEMORRAGE, TROMORT, ROAR, BIZARRE and many more.
3) How did you get your start doing the art for metal album covers?
Which album cover was your first?
I have been working for the music scene for about 15 years now. The first album that was released with my artwork was the album of USA Death Metal band EVIL INCARNATE "Blackest Hymns Of The Gods Disgrace" edited by DEATHGASM RECS by Evan March. Great memories of those early years without a doubt.
4) Do the bands give you an idea what they'd like the cover to look like, or do you come up with it by yourself?
Most of the times the bands have a clear idea for its album covers.
Other times they give me the title of the album, or the lyrics of the songs, and I make something on my own.
5) How long does it normally take for you to finish the art for an album?
This depends of the complexity of every work. Some jobs requires almost three weeks to complete and even more, and another ones 3 or 4 days only.
Another important factor is whether the work is in color or in black and white. Normally color jobs need more time and work to complete.
6) What are your favorite metal bands?
Mainly Death Metal bands. I could say you some like BOLT THROWER, MASS BURIAL, REVEL IN FLESH, old ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER, GRAVE, MORBID ANGEL, FLESHCRAWL, DEATH, NOMINON, OBITUARY, ENTRAILS .... etc.
Also bands of other styles like PRIMORDIAL, AVENGER, QUINTA ESSENTIA, DEMONCY, etc..... old school bands mainly.
7) How do you think metal has changed in the past 30 years?
Ufff, it changed a lot. The current scene is still very interesting, but I think that the magic of old days has been lost a bit.
The current recordings, the whole digital theme, makes the sound different, very perfect to say it in some way.
The magic has been lost in part but fortunately there are a large number of bands that try to recreate the old essence, and it is certainly something that I value a lot.
8) What does metal mean to you?
It is a very important part of my life and it conditions everything ...
9) Out of all the covers you have completed, which are you most proud of?
There would be many without a doubt, I could cite some of them like the ones I did for REVEL IN FLESH albums "Deathevokation" and Emissary Of All Plagues ", MAS BURIAL" Souls Necrosis ",
VANHELGA "Langtan", MISTWEAVER "Nocturnal Bloodshed", TOXIC ROSE "Total tranquility", AVULSED "Night Of The Living Deathgeneration", SOLOTHUS "No King Reigns Eternal", DETERIOROT "In Ancient Beliefs", GATES OF ISHTAR "The Dawn Of The Flames ",
INTERMENT "Scent Of The Burial", NOMINON "Decaydes Of The Abomination", UNLEASHED demo re issues, SACRAMENTAL BLOOD "Ternion Demonarchy", DISCREATION "The Silence Of The Gods", ORGAN OGAN "The Book Of Ogan", among many others .....
10) Would you ever consider making your art available to the public? I know some of us would love to have your art hanging on our wall.
Yes sir, the idea of making posters and books is always present. It's something I want to do, it's just a matter of time my friend.
You can find links to his works here:
