Heavy Metal Cover Girls: Gorgons and Lamias

 Hello and welcome to another edition of "Heavy Metal Cover Girls"; an occasional series where I put up album covers from metal & rock acts sharing a loose theme as well as the female form. 

 What I have said many times across this series is that there are certain themes that pop up time and again. Warrior women are always popular, as are angels, demons and close-ups of buttocks. (see previous posts for more details) All of which makes sense for Metal bands. 

 What also makes sense is for bands to have a fascination with the tragic figure of Medusa. A beautiful woman cursed by cruel gods to become a monster.  How hideous the monster is, depends entirely on the artist and band. Interestingly, the gorgons on these covers are never presented as victims. 

 I also had a few covers where the woman/snake combination is built differently: Lamias are part woman, part snake and, here anyway, always gorgeous. "What the hell" I thought "Let's throw them in as well."

 Let's go in and meet these ladies. 
Remember not to look them in the eye. 

HEARTSCORE - MEDUSA'S HEAD (GERMANY 2021)

  Medusa looking contemplative here.  I am relieved to see that Medusa's head is still attached to the rest of Medusa here.  

MIECZ  WIKINGA - GRONA GNIEWU (POLAND 2004)

Another headshot but clearly not a happy gorgon. Having a load of living snakes on your scalp must itch like blazes. 

 

 Russell - Guns - Medusa 2024

 Medusa having a s surprisingly tender moment with her latest victim. Well, tender on her side. Where he's concerned, it's an agonising, terrifying death. You can just imagine her whispering in his ear. "Shushhh, honey. Let it happen."

RIP Jack Russell 

 MEDUSA TOUCH - TERROR EYES (UK 2019)

MEDUSA TOUCH - INSANITEYES (UK 2022)

 It's always nice when a band has a consistent theme going. Here we have the same idea but presented very differently. "Terror Eyes" has the standard "Hot Gorgon" thing going on. While "Insaniteyes" suggests that the poor woman has had a bit of an accident. 

Incidentally there are 3 completely different bands called Medusa Touch 

 IRONFLAME - LIGHTNING STRIKES THE CROWN (USA 2017)

Another Gorgon and her victim except this one seems to have wings which is just plain cheating.

Imagine being a king just trying to relax after a long day of reigning when a naked woman pops in though the window. 

By the time you notice the snakes on her scalp  and realise what's going on, you're already a big lump of rock. 

I'll finish with a couple of Lamia.

JENNER - TO LIVE IS TO SUFFER (SERBIA 2017)

"Look at what happened to the last jerks that asked where my nipples got to?"

SWEET EVE - TOOTY (USA 2022)

                                                  First off, that's a terrible name for an album. What does that even mean?

Secondly, why does she look so annoyed?

Did we catch her about to take a shower or something.  

I think we better back away slowly...

THAT'S ALL FOLKS