The Daily Swarm

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One of the most important figures in the history of death metal likely wouldn’t be recognized if he strolled into a concert. In fact, people would probably think he was a parent watching out for his kids. Vincent Locke is a soft-spoken dad who lives in the Michigan suburbs and spends most of his days working in his art studio. He listens to classic rock; underground metal doesn’t suit his fancy. He illustrated a graphic novel A History Of Violence, that was made into a critically acclaimed Hollywood film. He is enamored with classic artists like Andrew Wyeth as much as he is by underground comics.

But there’s another side to Locke that you will see at any death metal show in the world. Since 1989, Locke has been the sole illustrator for death metal legends Cannibal Corpse, beginning with the Eaten Back To Life album. Locke was just a teenager when he was contacted by former Cannibal frontman Chris Barnes. Barnes liked Locke’s work on the Dead World apocalyptic zombie comic and asked him to try an album cover. Locke didn’t think much would come of it. Two decades later, he is still working with the band and Metal Blade Records.

Locke has since illustrated covers that have become both legendary and notorious. Wearing a Cannibal shirt is a rite of passage for young metalheads looking to scare the crap out of their parents. The infamous zombie doctors on Butchered At Birth, the bile-inducing cover of Tomb Of The Mutilated and the hideous birth scene of The Wretched Spawn are all his handiwork. If you’ve been to a death metal show lately chances are you’ve seen Locke’s work on tee-shirts, patches and buttons.