In short, the original sleeve art was the property of Games Workshop, not Earache or Bolt Thrower and when the lease on its use ran out in around 2002 or so, Earache approached the famous Fantasy Wargaming company for a renewal which was flatly refused to us. So they faced a harsh decision to either discontinue the album, or commission new art by the same artist in a similar style and theme, but being careful to not fall foul of copyright laws. Earache had the rights to the actual Bolt Thrower logo, drawn by Mark Craven, so that could still be used.
John Sibbick drew the original artwork under commission by Games Worshop. Back in the 80s the original edition of the company's biggest fantasy wargame 'Warhammer 40,000' had this artwork adorning the box cover. Everything about it is copyrighted to the hilt, right up to the design of the weapons, and even the logos on the clothing of the Space Marines fighting in the picture. Earache obtained the rights to use it after a meeting with the managing Director Bryan Ansell of Games Workshop, and Andy Jones the general manager. The company was small but growing fast at the time. The guys saw the sense in reaching out to the Rock/metal market which Earache and Bolt Thrower offered by using their art on an actual release and a deal was struck. It was a one page contract/bit of paper saying we had rights to use it lasting 13 years.
By the time of 2002 or so the Gsmes workshop company had become a global billion dollar corporate behemoth. When Earache asked for a renewal of the artwork rights, it suddenly dawned on us that this wasn't the same local company they met with 13 years ago. They were hit with a barrage of legal letters, cease and desist and copyright infringment claims. It was as if the company in its new corporate form had never heard of Earache, accusing them of theft of their highly prized copyrighted art in the first place. Earache avoided all contact with GW after that.
