The Evolution of Corpse Paint Into the Mainstream

The aesthetics of the underground music scene have always intrigued mainstream culture, and one of the most striking examples is corpse paint. Originally confined to the depths of black metal in the late 80s and 90s, corpse paint has transcended its eerie beginnings to capture the fascination of a wider audience. This style of face paint, designed to make the wearer resemble a corpse, served as a symbol of rebellion and chaos in the metal music scene. Now, with the growing influence of metal aesthetics in popular culture, corpse paint has made its way into the mainstream.

What is Corpse Paint?

Corpse paint is a style of face paint that makes the wearer look like a corpse. It was kept in the underground scene until recently due to its dark history.

Corpse paint became synonymous in the black metal scene through the late 80s and 90s with band members painting their faces to imitate corpses.

To differentiate themselves from the mainstream, metal bands popularized the use of this style of face paint. They did this to instill fear and also retain the atmosphere that metal music upheld: chaos and darkness.

Metal music gained popular momentum. With artists like Kanye West wearing metal band shirts in public and designers incorporating the subculture's signature into their own, it only makes it more enticing to a younger audience. Due to the increasing popularity of metal music aesthetics, it was only a matter of time before corpse paint entered the mainstream.

E.l.f. X Liquid Death

E.l.f, a cosmetics company, recently partnered with Liquid Death to release a corpse paint vault. This beauty collaboration allows you to paint yourself to look like a corpse.

We have embraced the metal music scene like never before, marketing its aesthetics. When metal started, it wouldn’t have been as easy to break into mainstream culture as it is now. Metal music was linked with devil worship and the occult. It was usually kept in the underground and was not marketable. 

Underground is the New Mainstream

We are more receptive to new ideas in our generation and understand others' perspectives, making it easier to embrace metal music culture. It's inspiring to see the mainstream media appreciate the aesthetics of metal music. Though people are drawn in by the visual and artistic aspects, I hope that people will come to appreciate where the true beauty lies: in the music itself.