Hugh Syme


Hugh Syme is a Canadian Juno Award-winning graphic artist and member of the Premier Artists Collection, best known for his artwork and cover concepts for rock and metal bands. He is also a musician and has contributed as a keyboard player on several Rush albums.
WWW Official Site

Career

Syme has been responsible for all of Rush's album cover art since 1975's Caress of Steel and is the creator of Rush's famous Starman logo. In 1983, he told Jeffrey Morgan that he never imagined the band would use it as their main logo. Syme also plays piano on the album Thrilling Women, which Morgan recorded with Dean Motter.
His client base includes major record companies such as Geffen Records, EMI Records, Mercury Records, RCA Records, Capitol Records, Sony Music, Atlantic Records, Warner Records, and A&M Records.
Iron Maiden fans remember him best as the designer of The X Factor cover, which depicts the band's mascot Eddie in a dissection. It is noted for its gritty realism. While all previous Maiden albums featured oil paintings, the X Factor Eddie was a puppet with some digital enhancements to improve its appearance. In some countries, the cover was deemed so gruesome that a less graphic alternative was offered.
Def Leppard's Retro Active album cover, which he co-designed with Nels Israelson, features a woman sitting at a dressing table, gazing into a mirror. From another perspective, the image takes the form of a skull, with the woman's head forming the left eye socket and her reflected head in the mirror creating the right eye socket. The mirror itself shapes the skull, while the accessories on the dressing table form the nose, nostrils, and teeth. This design was inspired by Charles Allan Gilbert's most famous work, All Is Vanity.
Other bands for which Syme has created artwork include Megadeth, Saga, Styx, Altered State, Fates Warning, Whitesnake, Queensrÿche, Aerosmith, and Dream Theater.

Album cover art

Chronological list of Hugh Syme's album cover art.
YearArtistAlbumRole
1975RushCaress of SteelGraphics
1975Ian Thomas BandDelightsGraphics with John Fraser
1976Ian Thomas BandCalabashGraphics
1976Rush2112Graphics and Starman Logo
1976RushAll the World's a StageGraphics
1977RushA Farewell to KingsArt direction and graphics
1977Max WebsterHigh Class in Borrowed ShoesArt direction and graphics
1978RushHemispheresArt direction with Bob King and graphics
1978RushArchivesDesign with Bob King and graphics
1978KlaatuSir Army SuitCover art
1978Max WebsterMutiny Up My SleeveArt direction and design
1979Ian Thomas BandGliderGraphics and design with Bob King
1979Max WebsterLive Magnetic AirArt direction and graphics
1980RushPermanent WavesArt direction and graphics. Cover concept created with Neil Peart.
1980TorontoLookin' for TroubleGraphics and design with Michael Gray.
1981RushMoving PicturesArt direction and graphics. Cover concept created with Deborah Samuel.
1981RushExit...Stage LeftArt direction, graphics and cover concept
1982RushSignalsArt direction, graphics and cover concept
1982SagaIn TransitArt direction and design
1982GowanGowanArt direction, graphics and cover concept
1982HarlequinOne False MoveCover design
1983Red RiderNerudaArt direction and cover design
1984RushGrace Under PressureArt direction and cover painting
1984Ian Thomas BandRiders on Dark HorsesArt direction and design
1984The Parachute ClubAt the Feet of the MoonArt direction and graphics with Deborah Samuel
1985Lee AaronCall of the WildCover design
1985RushPower WindowsArt direction, graphics and cover painting
1985Virgin SteeleNoble SavageArt direction and design
1985Kick AxeWelcome to the ClubArt direction and cover art
1985Robotman and FriendsStraight from the HeartCover painting
1986EyesEyesArt direction and design
1986Honeymoon SuiteThe Big PrizeCover design with Dimo Safari
1986Quiet RiotQR IIIArt direction, design, cover art
1986Kim MitchellShakin' Like a Human BeingArt direction and design
1986OutlawsSoldiers of FortuneArt direction, design, cover painting
1987WhitesnakeWhitesnakeCover art and Whitesnake emblem
1987Billy ThorpeChildren of the Sun... RevisitedArt direction and design
1987Y & TContagiousArt direction
1987McAuley Schenker GroupPerfect TimingArt direction and design
1987RushHold Your FireArt direction
1988ColortoneColortoneArt direction and design
1988Rhythm CorpsCommon GroundArt direction and design
1988Kingdom ComeKingdom ComeArt direction and design
1988Lillian AxeLillian AxeArt direction and design
1988Night RangerMan in MotionArt direction
1988Brighton RockTake a Deep BreathArt direction and design
1988Dream PatrolPhoning the CzarArt direction and design
1988Quiet RiotQRArt direction and design
1988SurvivorToo Hot to SleepArt direction and design
1988Black 'n BlueIn HeatArt direction and design
1988Bon JoviNew JerseyArt direction with Jon Bon Jovi and design
1988Ian Thomas BandLevityArt direction and design
1988ProphetCycle of the MoonArt direction and design
1989RushPrestoArt direction
1989RushA Show of HandsArt direction and design
1989Kingdom ComeIn Your FaceDesign
1989Bad EnglishBad EnglishArt direction and design
1989Fates WarningPerfect SymmetryCover concept, art direction and design
1989WhitesnakeSlip of the TongueCover art
1989Kim MitchellRocklandArt direction and design
1989World TradeWorld TradeCover art and design
1989BonfirePoint BlankArt direction and design
1989Babylon A.D.Babylon A.D.Art direction and design
1990MagnumGoodnight L.A.Cover art
1990RushChroniclesArt direction
1990SlaughterStick It to YaCover design with Glen Wexler
1990StyxEdge of the CenturyArt direction and design
1990WarrantCherry PieArt direction and design
1990HurricaneSlave to the ThrillArt direction and design
1990Celine DionUnisonArt direction and design
1990The Northern PikesSnow in JuneArt direction and design
1990Mae MooreOceanview MotelArt direction and design
1991Dan HillDance of LoveArt direction and design
1991Steve PlunkettMy AttitudeArt direction and design
1991RushRoll the BonesArt direction and design
1991Great WhiteHookedArt direction and design
1991The Boomers YYZWhat We DoArt direction and design
1991Kik TraceeNo RulesArt direction and design
1991Fates WarningParallelsArt direction and design
1991KixHot WireArt direction and design
1991Bad EnglishBacklashArt direction and design
1991ContrabandContrabandArt direction with Frenchy Gauthier and design
1991The StormThe StormArt direction and design
1992McAuley Schenker GroupM.S.G.Art direction and design
1992House of LordsDemons DownDesign with Glen Wexler
199254•40Dear DearArt direction and design
1992KissRevengeArt direction
1992Skew SiskinSkew SiskinArt direction and design
1992The Jeff Healey BandFeel ThisArt direction and design with Tom Stephen
1992Me Phi MeOneArt direction
1992SteelheartTangled in ReinsArt direction and design
199221 GunsSaluteArt direction and design
1992MegadethCountdown to ExtinctionArt direction and design
1992Unruly ChildUnruly ChildArt direction and design
1992Sister WhiskeySister Whiskey Cover art
1992ImpellitteriGrin and Bear ItProp design
1993AerosmithGet a GripCover design
1993Altered StateDosArt direction, design
1993Def LeppardRetro ActiveArt direction, design and digital illustration with Nels Israelson
1993Coverdale/PageCoverdale/PageArt direction and design
1993HelixIt's a Business Doing PleasureCover art and design
1993Damn the MachineDamn the MachineArt direction and design
1993Every Mother's NightmareWake Up ScreamingArt direction and design
1993RushCounterpartsArt direction, illustrations and design
1993BulletBoysZa-ZaLettering, letter design
1993The BoomersThe Art of LivingArt direction, illustrations and design
1993The BandJerichoCover art, art direction and design
1994Stray CatsChoo Choo Hot FishArt direction and design
1994Roger ClintonNothing Good Comes EasyArtwork and design
1994Dave EdmundsPlugged InArt direction and design
1994WhitesnakeGreatest HitsArt direction and design
1994MegadethYouthanasiaDesign and digital illustration. Art direction with Tommy Steele.
1994QueensrÿchePromised LandArt direction, design and digital illustration
1994TeslaBust a NutArtwork, art direction, design
1994Fates WarningInside OutArtwork and design
1994Various artistsBurning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy RichArt direction and design
1995Iron MaidenThe X FactorArt direction, design, illustrations, digital illustrations
1996Celine DionLive à ParisArt direction, graphic concept
1996RushTest for EchoArt direction, design and digital illustration
1996The BandHigh on the HogArt direction and design
1996The Boomers25 Thousand DaysArt direction, illustrations and design
1996Earth, Wind & FireGreatest Hits LiveArt direction and design
1996Pod/SomaHeaded for the ZerosArt direction, illustrations and design
1997Alice CooperA Fistful of AliceCover design
1997QueensrÿcheHear in the Now FrontierArt direction, artwork and design with Dimo Safari
1997SupertrampSome Things Never ChangeArt direction and design
1997MegadethCryptic WritingsArt Direction, design and illustrations
1997RushRetrospective IArt direction and design
1997RushRetrospective IIArt direction, design and cover painting
1997WhitesnakeRestless HeartArt direction, emblem design and cover concept with Dimo Safari and David Coverdale
1997Earth, Wind and FireIn the Name of LoveArt direction, design and digital illustration
1997Various artistsBurning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich, Vol. 2Art direction and design
1998ArenaThe VisitorArt direction and design
1998RushDifferent StagesArt direction, illustration and design
1998Uriah HeepClassic Heep: An AnthologyArt direction and design
1999The KingsThe Kings Are Here..and MoreDesign
1999TilesPresents of MindCover concept, artwork and design
1999Henry Lee SummerSmoke and MirrorsArt direction and design
1999Charlotte ChurchCharlotte ChurchArt direction, design and photography
2000ArenaImmortal?Art direction and design
2000QueensrÿcheGreatest HitsArt direction and design
2000Carrie NewcomerAge of PossibilityArt direction and design
2001Jennie DevoeDoes She Walk on WaterArt direction and design
2001MegadethThe World Needs a HeroArt direction, design and illustrations
2001Deep Blue SomethingDeep Blue SomethingArt direction and design
2001The Bacon BrothersCan't ComplainArt direction, design and illustrations
2001Deana CarterFather ChristmasDesign
2002RushVapor TrailsArt direction, paintings and portraits
2002Heather MylesSweet Talk and Good LiesArt direction and design
2002StyxAt the River's Edge: Live in St. LouisLogo design
2002Carrie NewcomerThe Gathering of SpiritsArt direction and design
2002The BoomersMidwayArt direction, illustrations and design
2003The Allman Brothers BandHittin' the NoteArt direction, illustrations
2003ExtolSynergyCover art
2003RushRush in RioArt direction, illustrations and design
2003RushThe Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974–1987Art direction and design
2003The Wayfaring StrangersThis TrainArt direction
2003Quill•TolhurstSo Rudely InterruptedCover art and graphics
2004Travis LarsonBurn SeasonArt direction
2004Billy JonasGet RealArt direction, illustrations and design
2004Carrie NewcomerBetty's Diner: The Best of Carrie NewcomerArt direction and design
2004TilesWindow DressingArtwork, photography and design
2004RushFeedback Art direction, illustrations and design
2005Various artistsSubdivisions: A Tribute to RushArt direction and design
2005Dream TheaterOctavariumArt direction, illustrations and design
2005NevermoreThis Godless EndeavorCover art
2005Bad Moon RisingFull Moon CollectionDesign
2005Carrie NewcomerRegulars and RefugeesArt direction and design
2005RushR30: 30th Anniversary World TourArt direction, illustrations and design
2006OnesideOnesideArt direction, illustrations and design
2006RushGoldArt direction and design
2006RushRush Replay X 3Art direction and design
2006Stone SourCome What(ever) MayArt direction, illustrations and design
2007Dream TheaterSystematic ChaosArt direction, illustrations and design
2007RushSnakes & ArrowsArt direction, illustrations and design
2007QueensrÿcheSign of the Times: [The Best of Queensrÿche]Art direction, illustrations and design
2007Byron Nemeth GroupThe Force WithinArt direction, illustrations and design
2007Krista DetorCover Their Eyes Art direction and design
2007Charlotte ChurchThe Charlotte Church ShowArt direction, photography and design
2008OnesideFirst, to LastArt direction and design
2008TilesFly PaperArtwork, design, photography, and illustrations
2008Dream TheaterGreatest Hit (...And 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs)Art direction, design, photography, and illustrations
2008Dream TheaterChaos in Motion 2007–2008Artwork and design
2008Cynic Suburban CrisisArt Direction, Photography, and Design
2008RushSnakes & Arrows LiveArt direction, illustrations and design
2008Bob MoverIt Amazes MeArt direction, photography and design
2009QueensrÿcheAmerican SoldierArt direction, illustrations and design
2009RushRetrospective 3Art direction and design
2009RushGrace Under Pressure TourArt direction and design
2009Dream TheaterBlack Clouds & Silver LiningsArt direction, illustrations and design
2009Flying MachinesFlying MachinesArt direction, illustrations and design
2010Carrie NewcomerBefore & AfterArt direction and design
2010Krista DetorChocolate Paper SuitesArt direction, illustrations and design
2010RushIconCover art
2011RushIcon 2Cover art
20113 Doors DownTime of My LifeCover concept, art direction, illustrations and design
2011Dream TheaterA Dramatic Turn of EventsArt direction and design
2011RushTime Machine 2011: Live in ClevelandArt direction and design
2012BetrayerBetrayerArt direction, artwork and design
2012RushClockwork AngelsCover art
2012Rush2112 5.1Art direction and design
2012TilesOff the Floor 01Cover art
2013Dream TheaterDream TheaterCover and album design
2014Carrie NewcomerA Permeable Life-
2014TilesOff the Floor 02Cover art
2014Flying ColorsSecond Natureart direction, design, illustrations
2014Dream TheaterBreaking the Fourth WallCover art
2017RushA Farewell To Kings-40th Anniversary Deluxe EditionArt Direction and design
2018RushHemispheres-40th Anniversary Deluxe EditionArt Direction and design
2018 Art Director, artwork and design
2019Dream TheaterDistance Over TimeCover art
2020RushPermanent Waves-40th Anniversary Deluxe EditionArt Direction and design
2020Gustavo Carmo On and OffCover art
2020Wandering XCarved in StoneCover art
2020Dream TheaterDistant Memories - Live in LondonCover art
2021Rivers & Rust"What a Waste"Cover art
2021Wandering XLife ExpectancyCover art
2021Joe BonamassaTime ClocksCover art
2021Carrie NewcomerUntil NowCover art
2021Fairy TaleThat Is The QuestionCover art
2021Dream TheaterA View from the Top of the WorldCover art
2021Benjamin CroftFar & Distant ThingsCover art
2022Talas1985Cover art
2022RushMoving Pictures Art Direction and design
2022TRIBUTESSongs for Neil Vol. 3Cover art
2022Brother DynamiteIf We DareCover art
2022Dane ClarkMemory MileCover art
2022A-ZA-ZCover art
2022SOMAHeaded for the ZerosCover art
2022Hilario Durán and David VirellesFront Street DuetsCover art
2023Arch EchoFinal PitchArtwork, Illustration, Design
2023RushSignals Artwork, Illustration, Design
2024OrionThe LightbringersArt direction, Design
2024Robert Jon & the WreckRed Moon RisingArt direction, Design
2024Black Country CommunionVArt direction, Illustration, Design
2025Dane ClarkGuru's, Hitmen & HeavenArt direction, Illustration, Design
2025Dream TheaterParasomniaCover art, album design
2025A-ZA-Z²Cover art

Discography

Syme has contributed as a musician with Ian Thomas Band, Rush and Tiles.
with Ian Thomas BandDelights - piano, Fender Rhodes, Mellotron and background vocalsCalabash - keyboards, background vocals and creative companionship and album cover artworkStill Here - keyboards and background vocals Glider - keyboards and all songs arranged with Ian ThomasThe Runner - keyboards and background vocals
with Rush2112 - ARP synthesizer intro to "2112: Overture" and Mellotron and ARP Odyssey on "Tears" Permanent Waves - piano on "Different Strings" Moving Pictures - synthesizers on "Witch Hunt"
with TilesWindow Dressing - keyboards on "Slippers in the Snow"Fly Paper - keyboards on "Crowded Emptiness" and solo piano on "Passing Notes"
with Alice in Chains2112 - 40th Anniversary Deluxe Reissue - Mellotron, string arrangement, woodwinds, and boy's choir on Geddy Lee's re-released song "Tears"
with Jim McCartyWalking in the Wild Land - Piano, nylon and steel string acoustic guitar, synths, string arrangements, boy's choir, Mellotron on "Changing Times", "Dancing Leaves" and "So Many Questions". James Stanley McCarty is an English musician, best known as the drummer for the Yardbirds and Renaissance.

Awards

Juno Awards: 5 wins and 18 nominations.

Controversy and criticism

Artificial Intelligence allegations and speculation

Upon release of Dream Theater's Parasomnia album in 2025, fans widely speculated Hugh Syme's possible usage of Artificial Intelligence tools and questioned the integrity of the album's visual representation. Many people pointed out the album's artwork contained numerous mistakes common with AI-generated imagery, such as errors in lighting and shadow directions, and hands with the incorrect number of fingers. One reviewer at The Progressive Aspect called Syme's alleged use of AI generated artwork "laziness" and "sloppiness".
During the same time in early 2025, Syme was once again criticized for his possible usage of AI-generated imagery for his work on Rush's anniversary collection Rush 50, as fans questioned the authenticity and artistic value of the work. Fans expressed concerns with characteristics in the Rush 50 artwork that are consistent with characteristics in AI-generated imagery, and pointed to the similarities in Syme's recent work with Dream Theater. While many Rush fans expressed disappointment with possible AI-generated imagery, others defended Syme, claiming no AI was used and the imagery is part of Syme's unique style.
Although artificial intelligence tools allow artists to augment creativity with AI, many criticisms surround artificial intelligence visual art, including ethical considerations and copyright and plagiarism concerns.

Clip art and stock imagery usage

Syme has been criticized for his usage of clip art and stock imagery. In 2011, heavy metal music-themed news website MetalSucks called attention to the clip art Syme used for Dream Theater's A Dramatic Turn of Events, as well as noted the same clip art image appears on Norwegian progressive metal band Circus Maximus's 2005 album The 1st Chapter. As written by MetalSucks: "Dream Theater might’ve gotten away with it if wasn’t for those pesky kids in Circus Maximus, whose 2005 album featured the very same $15.00 clip art image on the cover."
In 2018, critics once again panned Syme's album artwork for Dream Theater's Distance Over Time as shoddy, consisting merely of two stock pictures put together. The stock imagery usage in conjuncture with the artwork's simple concept has led to many sightings of similar looking designs in various media. Just 12 days after Dream Theater revealed the Distance Over Time artwork, The New York Times Magazine used a nearly identical image of a robot arm holding a human skull for a cover story titled What Will Become of Us? Several years later, HBO sci-fi television series Westworld also used a similar looking concept for the Westworld Season 4 poster art.

Double-selling artwork allegations

Upon release of Dream Theater's Parasomnia album in 2025, allegations quickly emerged of Hugh Syme potentially double-selling artwork, as a piece of artwork contained in the Parasomnia deluxe edition appeared identical to a piece of Syme's artwork used in Orion's The Lightbringers, released six months prior on August 16, 2024. Taking to social media on February 7, 2025, Orion's Ben Jones called out Syme in a Facebook post: "Is this for real?! A piece of artwork in the new Dream Theater deluxe edition is the EXACT same piece of artwork that was in The Lightbringers booklet for the song 'The Ghosts Among Us'... Hugh Syme did the artwork for my album and theirs, so I think I can see where this is going..." While Syme remained silent on the matter, Jones followed up: "I’ve never suggested plagiarism – in fact, I’ve repeatedly emphasized that Dream Theater are also victims of Hugh’s negligence." As Dream Theater's manager Frank Solomon reached out privately to Jones, Jones recalled: "We had a very amicable exchange... Despite owing me nothing, Frank made a very kind offer, which I plan to accept. I want to be clear – Dream Theater committed no wrongdoing in this situation."