Ihsahn Responds To Taylor Swift's New Album Cover Looking Rather Similar To His

Last Friday, pop megastar Taylor Swift released her eighth studio album folklore, following on from last year's Lover album. Written while in lockdown it's attracted a lot of attention for its stripped-back, sombre approach, but its visual accompaniments have also caught the eye of the extreme metal community.

The album cover to folklore (yes, it's meant to be lower-case) shows Taylor standing alone in the middle of a misty forest, gazing up at the trees in a sea of blacks, whites and greys. It's reminiscent of something you might see from a frostbitten black metal band...

"So, anyone check out the new Taylor Swift yet? Personally I like the design," joked Emperor frontman Ihsahn on Instagram, highlighting the resemblance folklore's cover holds to his latest artwork for his latest EP Telemark.

"Well, folks, I'm not the only one to think that Taylor Swift' s new visual is very Metal," commented artist David Thierree, the man behind Ihsahn's latest cover.

"I could have done it for her, probably for a cheaper price than what she paid."

And while there is no doubt a similarity of sinister-looking woodland, we're not entirely convinced Taylor has spent her time in lockdown rummaging through black metal album art for inspiration. But you never know!

As well as releasing his Telemark EP earlier this year, Ihsahn also appeared on Nergal's latest Me And That Man album – providing vocals for By The River.

“I guess people would expect a Nergal and Ihsahn partnership to be extreme, but what came out was a bare bones, blues banger!" said Nergal.

“I’ve got to tell you; it wasn’t an easy sell… at first Ihsahn didn’t think there was much he could add – luckily, I knew different and I gave him a simple instruction to have fun. A week later I got the track back and I was totally blown away! Considering the status of the man, he is humble and professional to the core.”

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