... no, I think you're right. Saxon headlined in 2001 and the artwork depicted the demon guy wearing motorbike leathers. I think you're onto something.
However, I don't think the artwork suggests Running Wild. I can see the skulls thing but the generally feel of the cover is a bit "dark" for Running Wild. It's all gloomy and grey and the figures in the background look very foreboding. I may be completely wrong here, but I've always seen Running Wild as being a bit more tongue-in-cheek than that (you know, with the whole "pirate" thing they've got going on). Also, those are unmistakably orcs in the centre circle. And what are pirates doing in a forest?
Not that Running Wild wouldn't totally kick ass, of course.
Does anyone know anything about Blind Guardian's next album? Specifically, are they on the verge of releasing a particularly "dark" album? Because that's definitely what this artwork makes me think of. A "dark" version of Blind Guardian. Those orcs do look very Blind Guardian-ish ... although they're by the same artist (right?) so I guess they would be. Also, there are only four prominent figures on the artwork. Blind Guardian are one of only a handful of four-man metal bands that are likely to headline (let's face it, we ain't getting Metallica
). In fact, the only other four-man band that I can see headlining Bloodstock 2004 is Gamma Ray, and the artwork doesn't really match their music. On the other hand, the figures in the artwork look a little menacing for Hansi and co. So I might be wrong. And I also might be reading much to deep into this.
Are Grave Digger big enough to headline yet? The artwork could be hinting at them.
(Note: I say "dark" in inverted commas to make it clear that I'm not just talking about colour)
Sadly, the orcs are the final confirmation (as if we needed it confirmed any more) that Iced Earth will NOT be headlining.