This work is written in the field of art and visual culture. The text explores how music is represented on album covers. What are the connections between the cover art, the band and the lyrics? The study focus on three iconic trash metal music albums released in the 1980s. Slayer’s Reign In Blood (1986), Megadeth’s Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? (1986) and Metallica’s … And Justice For All (1988). Art historian Erwin Panofsky’s method of iconology is used to interpret and analyze the album covers 

The conclusion is that the three album covers were all created in direct cooperation between the band and the artist or the graphic designer behind these famous iconic cover art. All three covers connect a song or theme of  the albums.