Question
Dear ScorpioN,
In the archive files u mention a facelift 4 Vic contest & then at the Heaven & Hell tour I got a closer look at the cover of the new cd United... . Vic has skin? Did I miss the memo or over look something on the website. Is there a story behind Vic having skin? If there is I sure would like it if u would enlighten me. Megadeth rocks. I have been a fan 4 about 16 years & finally saw them live 4 the first time(I know, shame on me) at gigantour. Seeing Dave live, no words 2 describe it. The energy at his shows r so intense.I promise my intention is 2 never miss another 1. Oh & I can't help it if almost every person I set my sights on converting 2 a Megadeth fan is assimilated in the blink of an eye. I open the door & Dave lures them in. I'm going 2 meet up with a band next week, maybe I'll be their new singer. My only issue is all they want 2 do is motley crew covers. By the end of our first phone call they were saying they could most likely play anything I requested. Wish me luck, I'm hoping 2 bring these poor boys into the fold.
Tell(Shewolf Forever)
From Edmonton
Answer
Well Tell, I'll tell ya... I had a chance to speak with the creator of the "revamped skinned Vic" John Lorenzi, and here is what he had to say:
"As most everyone here probably already knows, this all started back at DeviantArt. Dave Mustaine had orchestrated their biggest contest ever, with guitars for whoever could come up with a redesign for Vic Rattlehead. They provided a excerpt of the lyrics for "Skull Beneath the Skin" as a guide and inspiration. The essence of that song is pretty much the recipe for building this tormented character. The first piece I entered in the contest was the one most similar to the original design. Then I worked my way backwards in time with the next two designs. The idea behind my version of Vic, or what I wanted to see as the new Vic was to bring him back around to the beginning of his life story. I never had any intension to make a new Vic, but to take him back to when he actually became Vic Rattlehead. I mean, he had to have skin at some point right? That's how it played itself out in my head anyway. Whether or not I conveyed that remains to be seen.
Megadeth was back in the studio with the intent to bring it's sound to it's truest form, some of which was also heading back to it's beginning. It only seemed natural to head in that same direction. The end product for the album art was an amalgam of these pictures and a vision that Dave clearly already had. We communicated the tweaks and changes until he had what he wanted.
There was so much good art going on in the contest, like 3000 entries, it would've been easy to get lost in those numbers. By the end of the contest, I had entered three times, a trilogy, two of which ended in the top 11. Incidentally, for those of you keeping score, I didn't win, the contest anyways. When it was over it had appeared as though I lost twice. As far as my kids were concerned I won. They constantly tell me as they strum the air of their "imaginary" guitars. Collaborating with a music legend I think I won, even though some like to point out that I didn't. The glory alone should last me forever. It was an honor and a priveledge. Thanks Dave.
I'm a Californian, currently stranded in Colorado doing the starving artist thing with my wife and two boys. Right now I'm just waiting for the album like everyone else. I hope everyone enjoys the artwork as much as I enjoyed doing it."
So Tell, it looks like skin is in! Until next time...
