Similar creative sparks can be found across the globe, with an abundance of sound and visual ideas. In the realms of rock n’ roll and heavy metal, there have been instances of coincidental creativity. For instance, IRON MAIDEN‘s iconic fifth studio album, Powerslave, released in September 1984, drew inspiration from Egyptian themes. The cover art featured the band’s mascot, Eddie, amidst the grandeur of pharaonic tombs, adorned with hieroglyphics and mystical symbols.
Interestingly, in 1977, EARTH, WIND & FIRE, a soul and funk band, also released an album called All ‘n All, which featured Egyptian themes on its cover.
Both covers feature Egyptian-themed artwork with pyramids and a cosmic vibe. Some fans believe it to be a coincidence, while others speculate that IRON MAIDEN‘s artist, Derek Riggs, may have been influenced by the EARTH, WIND & FIRE cover. However, Riggs himself has denied any inspiration and stated that he drew inspiration from the tomb of Rameses 2.
“Somebody somewhere said it was inspired by an EARTH, WIND & FIRE cover, but that’s just crap. Because of the song Bruce [Dickinson] wrote it had to be Egyptian, so I went back to the tomb of Rameses 2 and copied the idea from that (just like EARTH, WIND & FIRE did) but mine is better. It’s also got a hieroglyph Micky mouse in the bottom left corner. Ha! EARTH, WIND & FIRE don’t have a Mickey Mouse. Obviously inferior.”
Ultimately, it seems that any similarities between the two covers are a result of tapping into the collective consciousness of the time rather than intentional theft.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.