Marillion confronted obstacles in deciding their Afraid Of Sunlight album cover, with concerns that it might be perceived as the work of a Christian rock band. This led to the band's members seeking relaxation, unable to counter such narrow-minded views.
In 2019, Marillion's eighth studio album, "Afraid Of Sunlight," received a colorful makeover, with the iconic cover being replaced by a glowing Christ the Redeemer image. This change, which originally appeared on the back cover, was proposed by the band's designer, Bill Smith, and endorsed by band member Steve Hogarth, who thought it was the perfect fit for the album.
The original cover, presented in 1995, depicted the giant icon whose beatific gaze usually looks out over Rio. However, it languished on the reverse due to a heated debate within the band. Steve Rothery had reservations about the cover, while Hogarth and Mark Kelly held opposing views, leading to a debate that lasted for years.
Kelly expressed concern that the cover might make Marillion appear as a Christian rock band. He was not keen on organized religion, having lost interest since childhood. Rothery noted that neither Hogarth nor Kelly had much embraced diplomacy during the debate. In hindsight, Kelly believes his concern about the cover being mistaken for a Christian rock band was ridiculous.
Ian Mosley agrees that in retrospect, Hogarth was right about being more adventurous with the cover. The brown album cover phase started with the revamped cover of "Afraid Of Sunlight." Pete Trewavas believes that the original cover would not seem out of place now.
Hogarth admits that the band was being safe with the original cover, expressing frustration with their thinking at the time. He also acknowledges that it cannot be argued with, as the band eventually got past their disagreement. The revamped cover in the 2019 deluxe reissue featured a fluorescent Christ The Redeemer, bringing a fresh and vibrant look to the classic album.
Despite the initial debate, the band's decision to redesign the cover of "Afraid Of Sunlight" has been well received by fans, adding a new dimension to the album's legacy.
