Lawrence “Larry” Carroll, the Australian-born, American-raised painter who was responsible for creating the iconic album cover artwork for Slayer’s “Reign In Blood”, “South Of Heaven”, “Seasons In The Abyss” and “Christ Illusion” albums, has died at the age of 65. His death on Tuesday morning was announced by his Cologne gallery, Karsten Greve, which has represented the artist since 1999. Carroll began a three decades long association with Slayer, beginning in 1986 after he was contacted by producer Rick Rubin, who had signed the legendary thrash metal outfit to Def Jam Recordings. We send our sympathies out to Larry’s family, friends, and fans at this time.

“Not many art directors were lining up to ask me to illustrate the next Aerosmith or Sting album,” Carroll recalled in a 2010 Revolver magazine interview. “I think they were afraid of what they would get. I was always told my work was too dark for most folks. So Slayer was a good fit for me.”