2. This digipak analysis is based on an album by Distorture. Automatically the name can relate to
the word distortion which has negative connotations and means a change for the worse.
Stereotypically this could reflect on a dark gothic genre but actually the band Distorture are a duo
who experiment in alternative folk music.
The font of the digipak shows no indication
of their genre of music or an image of the
band. However the front of the digipak
consists of the band logo which is black with
the background half white and half black.
The same background is used throughout
the digipak possibly to show the
connections and relations from one section
of the digipak to another. The dominant
colours within the digipak have always been
made red and white as they contrast with
each other. For example white can be seen
as indicating purity while the red can be
seen as indicating anger and death, or even
passion and love.
3. The dominant image within the digipak is the recurring image of the hand full of blood which of course is
what grabs the audience’s attention to the album. This connotes the theme of emotions such as
depressions and anger as red symbolises these even more by giving off the effect that it is blood. This
might also make the audience think that the artist’s music must be emotional and symbolic as the image
of blood in hands can also be symbolising that the artist has done something wrong: ‘caught red
handed’.
The title of the album is ‘Revere’. The album could possibly be named this as the meaning of revere is to
regard something with the deepest respect. The band could be stating that the album is something to
respect and to honour as it is a sort of masterpiece to them and to the music industrial. Or possibly this
links to the image of the hand full of blood that represents the death of a person and that the
audience/band regards them with the deepest respect.
According to the band’s myspace page the record label they belong to is symbolique studios who one of
the band members Jason Just is heavily connected with. They are a New Zealand company who
concentrate on the means of design, art and music. As they are only signed with a minor company which
probably highly contributes to their lack of success in the mainstream charts all over the world.
Distorture appeal to their target audience as the hand of blood in their digipak catches the people’s eye
as it comes across as graphic and shocking. This then enables people to consider to look at it and
therefore increases the changes of purchases of the album. Their target audience is most likely
industrial, folk and indie lovers as it is out of the ordinary and eye catching.
