Dutch death metal pioneers Pestilence announce new cover artwork for their re-recorded best-of album Levels of Perception, set to be released on Agonia Records on April 26th. The reasons behind the band’s decision have been laid out in a statement by frontman Patrick Mameli, and pertain to the partial use of artificial intelligence technology in creating the original artwork.
First off, let me be absolutely clear about the fact that both band and record company still love the initial cover. Also, the artist that created the art, did not let the computer generate the picture. He used multiple methods to come to this result. So it’s not just AI in the real sense.
But the point I’m getting at, is this: I will not risk all the work we have put into this release, just to push the cover. We care a lot about our fans and we do not want this product to become unsuccessful just because we want to push our ideas regarding AI. We have always stood at the forefront of game, changing events within the death metal scene, whether it’s music or in this case, a cover.
Maybe the timing is not right just now, so we chose the middle way. This should make people more open to this monster of a release we have planned for y’all.
Peace,
Patrick
Re-recording of the tracks has not only managed to breathe new life into them – half thanks to new line-up, and other half by implementing subtle changes which reflect Mameli’s matured vision and refined with years of experience aesthetic – but also sets them apart from cheap, unimaginative compilations, by unifying the album’s sound as befits a full-length release. “The album’s title is Levels of Perception. Why? Because this is what has happened with the songs,” Mameli explains. “Performed by different musicians, with their own views, musical abilities and interpretations, shining a new light on them. So here we are with new Levels of Perception.”
The debut single from Levels of Perception will be released shortly.
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