Ihsahn vs Taylor Swift: Who has the best cover design?

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By ( Metal Hammer ) published

The cover art for Taylor Swift’s new album Folklore bears an uncanny similarity to Ihsahn's Telemark track Stridig - a point not lost on the Emperor vocalist... or designer David Thiérrée

(Image credit: David Thiérrée/Republic)

Taylor Swift surprise released her new album Folklore on Friday – and the eagle-eyed among you might well have noticed that the cover bears a striking resemblance to David Thiérrée’s design for Ihsahn’s Telemark EP single, Stridig.

Swift’s black and white cover features the vocalist standing in the middle of a misty forest – and it’s caught the eye of Ihsahn who says he likes the design.

Posting the Folklore cover beside the Stridig design, Ihsahn says: “So, anyone check out the new Taylor Swift album yet? Personally, I like the design!”

Designer Thiérrée adds: “Well, folks, I’m not the only one to think that Taylor Swift's new visual is very metal. Even very close to Ihsahn's artworks I made. I could have done it for her, probably for a cheaper price than what she paid.”

The similarities have drawn a mixed response from fans, with one saying: “Now let’s wait for Taylor to appear in public wearing an Emperor t-shirt.”

Earlier this month, Ihsahn released his new track Spectre At The Feast exclusively with Metal Hammer – the first material taken from his upcoming EP Pharos. 

Ihsahn said: “Telemark was everything that was close to my heart: basic guitar riffing, screaming vocals. I thought, ‘I need to do a sequel where I do the exact opposite’ - things that I don't know how to do, explore sonic territory that I haven't explored.”

Pharos will launch on September 11 and will include covers of Portishead's Roads and A-Ha’s Manhattan Skyline. It's now available to pre-order.

(Image credit: Candlelight)

Ihsahn: Pharos EP
1. Losing Altitude
2. Spectre At The Feast
3. Pharos
4. Roads (Portishead cover)
5. Manhattan Skyline (A-ha cover, featuring Einar Solberg of Leprous)

Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.