The Stunning Brutality and Macabre Beauty of “MadMaskMan”

Horror fans, mask collectors, metal-head, and anyone with an appreciation for macabre art will want acquaint themselves with the work of Ohio-based artisan Ryan “MadMaskMan” Meyer. His style is as captivating and original as it is brutal with an aesthetic that’s both zombie-esque and satanic. His masks transcend specific characters; indeed they invoke an entire underworld populated by vicious fiends and insane creatures.

Myer’s has six basic masks styles to choose from: FleshFace, CorpsePaint, MadMilitia, MadClown, MadDoll, and BeardedButcher. Upon ordering, the customer can individualize his/her mask by requesting specific colors, scars, stitches, staples, carvings… pretty much anything your sick twisted mind can imagine! Customers can also work with MadMaskMan to create custom masks from scratch.

BeardedButcher

CorpsePaint

FleshFace

MadClown

MadDoll

MadMilitia

I was able to connect with the MadMaskMan recently, and he was good enough to offer me some insight into his history, inspirations, and motivations. Enjoy!

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The Blood Shed: When did you first start making masks and what got you started?

MadMaskMan: I made my first mask in December 2012 and before that I had never sculpted anything in my life. I sucked ass at art! A friend of mine had made a few crappy cheap masks and I thought, “Why not give it a try?” To my surprise I was really good at sculpting; almost anything I tried to sculpt came out really well. About 3 months after making my first mask I started my artist page [on Facebook] to show off my work. Again, to my surprise, people wanted to buy my masks!

TBS: Are all of your masks originals or do you do replicas as well?

MMM: All of my masks are original designs made by me…I never copy other mask makers and never make the exact same mask twice.

TBS: Where do you draw your inspiration?

MMM: All of my inspiration comes from the blackest of Black Metal, music from bands like Watain [from Sweden], Dark Funeral [from Sweden], Svarttjern [from Norway], Taake [from Norway], Mayhem [from Norway] and many more.

Metal band Shadowkasket in masks by MadMaskMan

TBS: I see you’re a big metal fan.  Are you also a musician?

MMM: Unfortunately I have zero musical ability and have never been in a band. I’m just a loyal black metal soldier: Watain Disciple #596 ~FTW~!

TBS: Are there any metal bands out there sporting your masks?

MMM: Members of Watain, Mayhem, Bile of Man [from South Africa], Advent Sorrow [from Australia], Dark Funeral, Evil Oath [from Norway] and many, many more wear my masks.

Martin Donnelley of Advent Sorrow in custom MadMilitia

TBS: Just for fun, what kind of horror movies are you into?

MMM: I love campy horror flicks from the 70s and 80s, movies like Sleepaway Camp are a huge inspiration to me. I really like all the cheesy FX in that series of movies. I also love the classics like Friday the 13th and such. I’m not that into newer stuff.

Friday the 13th inspired MadMilitia

TBS: Anything else you’d like our readers to know?

MMM: I offer my “FleshFace”, “MadMilitia”, “MadDoll”, “MadClown”, “BeardedButcher”, and “CorpsePaint” masks, which can be custom ordered and done up however the customer wants. Anyone interested in custom ordering one of my mask designs just has to send me a message on my FaceBook artist page, MadMaskMan: HERE

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Horror filmmakers looking for some truly original designs are encouraged to give MadMaskMan a holler; these works would look amazing in movies.  Collectors looking for something incredible and personalized should check him out as well.  In my opinion, each of MadMaskMan’s creations would look stunning mounted on a wall at home, in a gallery, or even in a museum.  It’s fucking amazing how this guy, who never though he had any talent, fell into something he excels at with an arresting, utterly captivating style that’s all his own.

Now all I have to do is temper my impatience as I wait for my own one-of-a-kind BeardedButcher mask to arrive!

MadMaskMan

What do you think about the work of Ryan “MadMaskMan” Meyer? Sound off in the Comments Section!

Zornheym formally of Dark Funeral

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