Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Artists
  2. Singles And Albums

The worst album covers of all time... ever!

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 10 May 2011

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Heavy metal

Heavy metal

While we are busily counting your votes in our poll to crown the greatest album cover of all time, here's a timely reminder that not all album covers are created equal. Indeed, some appear to have been created at 4am following the consumption of enough booze and narcotics to take down Keith Richards' pet rhinoceros.

Now for the first time you can find all of our collections of album art misadventure in one place. Kicking things off, here's a genre in which even some of the biggest bands have been known to commit hideous atrocities in the name of cover art over the years:

Click here to see the worst heavy metal album covers of all time

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Hip-hop

Hip-hop

Like heavy metal, hip-hop is a genre that has seen more than its fair share of heinous taste crimes acted out on CD covers across the globe. Here are some of our favourites:

Click here to see the worst hip-hop album covers ever

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Illustrated

Illustrated

Got a great idea for an album cover but don't have the budget for the shoot? Simply commission an illustrator and let your imagination run wild. What could possibly go wrong?

Click here to see the worst illustrated album covers ever

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Just plain wrong

Just plain wrong

There's nothing wrong with any of these album covers, it's political correctness gone mad! Ahem...

Click here to see the worst album covers ever: just plain wrong

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Christmas

Christmas

The festive season is a time for joy, a time for giving, and a time for all sense of style and taste to go out of the window when it comes to cover art.

Click here to see the worst Christmas album covers ever: part one

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Christmas... again!

Christmas... again!

Yes, that's right. Santa's sack is bulging with bad Christmas album covers and we had more than enough to fill two galleries. Laugh? These will sleigh you...

Click here to see the worst Christmas albums ever: part two

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the internet's most popular website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers.

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.

TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.

STARS: We talk to artists and musicians about their creative processes, digging deep into the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music-making that no other music website can.

Latest in Singles And Albums
Robbie Williams performs during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw
“I want that more than anything in my career”: Robbie Williams is gunning to break the Beatles' UK albums record
 
 
Bruno Mars
“Releasing the same song for the past 10 years”: Bruno Mars bites back at critical social media user
 
 
DAVID BYRNE AND OLIVIA RODRIGO
“I actually cried when I heard his version of this song”: Olivia Rodrigo on David Byrne's cover of Drivers License
 
 
Brandon Flowers of The Killers attends the GBK Brand Bar & Meals On Me Backstage Lounge At The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
“In 2027 you will get the best Killers record”: Brandon Flowers is concentrating on solo activity this year
 
 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Olivia Rodrigo performs onstage during the Olivia Rodrigo Sold-Out GUTS World Tour at Madison Square Garden on April 05, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)
“Driver’s License Application for Renewal”: Fans speculate on the meaning of the cryptic front page of Olivia Rodrigo’s website
 
 
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 15: Yungblud is seen on December 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by XNY/Star Max/GC Images)
“One of the greatest voices in the history of music": Billy Corgan heaps praise on Yungblud
 
 
Latest in News
A 2014 picture of Peter Capaldi trying out a vintage Yamaha SGV-800 in Hank's, Denmark St. The guitar is pictured in profile on the right.
Peter Capaldi on how he found Doctor Who’s “junk shop” Yamaha electric guitar on Denmark Street
 
 
Apple Creator Studio Logic Pro
Apple explains its use of AI in Logic Pro, and why MIDI is still the bedrock of its Session Players
 
 
TNAG Global founder/CEO Ben Montague [left] and Norman Harris [right] point to each other as they are photographed on the shop floor at Norman's Rare Guitars.
Joe Bonamassa gives his blessing as Norman Harris sells Norman’s Rare Guitars and says the future of his iconic LA store has been secured
 
 
bob weir
The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir in five songs (and a jam)
 
 
Korg Liano Live!
Korg’s Liano Live! makes livestreaming your piano performances as easy as smashing that like button
 
 
Korg MicroAudio 722 interface with analogue filter
Korg’s new interface is also an analogue filter – and you might be tempted even if you don't need the I/O
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...