Phobia
Apologies for the late post. Projects and such.
I've always been into the macabre and the darker genres of science fiction and fantasy literature and art. Gothic and pseudo-religious themes have always been a big theme for me. One of the few CD's I actually own is "Phobia," by Breaking Benjamin: http://www.amazon.com/Phobia-Breaking-Benjamin/dp/B000G6BL7E/ref=pd_bbs_...
It caught my eye in the record store because of the figure on the album cover, shown hovering above the ground with a pair of what appear to be angel wings. After looking at it again, I think the cover art is effective in several ways.
First of all, most imagery involving human beings in wings originate from biblical sources, and artwork based in religious text, involving supernatural beings, namely angels. Although I originally was drawn to the CD because angels (as an artistic representation) interest me a great deal, but I can imagine that someone not inclined to art would associate an angel to religious icons.
For fans that are familiar with the band, they may also associate the figure itself to one of Benjamin Burnley's (the frontman) trademark outfits, that is a dark undershit and an oversized jacket with a popped collar: http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01778/bands%20info/Breaking%20Benjam...
The arrangement of the image also sticks out, the dark figure is centered and is contrasted very well with both the wings and the sepia toned background. Finally, the image has a blurred and scratched up appearance, enough to give the viewer a solid idea of what was being represented, but not giving a high fidelity, clear image. This is pure speculation, but the first things that came to my mind were "vision" and "religious experience." Dreams are generally not in 1080p hi def, so I think the cover gives a sense of a sub- or un-conscious state of mind, hinting that the music within will give that same sense.
I'm not totally familiar with Breaking Benjamin or their music, but strictly based from the cover I think some elements communicate together pretty well.
From the title of the album, Phobia which is the irrational fear of something, I think that could connect to the figure in the middle. To have a phobia you would want to avoid it so why not do so by flying away from it. Ascending would be one way, but maybe some shame is implemented in there from the figure. I mean the man's head is facing down maybe to avoid something or someone. I wonder though, you mentioned the pseudo-religious themes by this band...maybe the wings are just to accompany the idea or maybe it actually has its' place. Although, the angel like wings and the way the arms are positioned also give the religious idea...maybe some sort of sacrifice message?
Moving on, the man is on some sort of road, possibly the road of life? No one else or thing is around except the horizon. I'm not sure if this could portray the idea of isolation, but just the road of life is personal, only for one individual. I like your hi-def and dream relation, lol. Humorous. I think that filter kind of gives the cover an ambiguity feel.
Submitted by colgrunt on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 02:02.I'm not really a Breaking Benjamin fan in the first place so that alone may hinder my understanding of why the band chose this image for the front cover. To me it seems sort of random given the album title "Phobia." The symbol below the person with wings to me appears out of perspective with the person. Assuming that the symbol represents a shadow of some sort it appears to recede too far back to be in correct proportion with the normal shadow that the figure would cast. Another thing is that you mentioned is the figure in the middle with the wings takes on an "angel" shape. While I agree that was the idea behind it, I think that the wings are more butterfly wing shaped than bird or angel shaped wings.
Submitted by glmaster on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 09:17.Looking at the imagine and comparing it to the title kinda makes you wonder what ties they want the observer to get.
When I think of phobia I think of spiders, close spaces, something disturbing and in their cover they have a dark figured held by wings.
The image gives a insecure feeling but I am not sure exactly what phobia it pertains to? Or is it even their goal?
Submitted by CatTail1986 on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 13:00.