Upon This Dawning released their debut album, To Keep Us Safe, earlier this week. You can stream it exclusively at UponThisDawning.com, as well as watch video content from the band. Upon This Dawning’s Punk Goes Pop 5 cover of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe,” (check it out below) will additionally be available as a bonus track on the digital edition of To Keep Us Safe. When not recording covers of pop songs, touring the world, and putting out new albums, the group likes to get tattooed. In the exclusive video below, the band members discuss their ink.

As we all know, metal and tattoos often go hand in hand. It’s much rarer though to find an artist that embodies both pure metal pedigree and wicked tattoo skills. Such is the case with Tim Lehi.

As one of the practitioners in the new wave of U.S. black metal, Lehi creates vicious records as Draguar, and was part of the first incarnation of Twilight, the black metal “supergroup” that also featured members of Nachtmystium, Leviathan and Xasthur. As a tattooer, Lehi works out of San Francisco’s incredible Black Heart Tattoo shop, which he also runs with Jeff Rassier and Scott Sylvia. These guys are literally some of the best tattooers in the country.

MetalKult met up with Lehi last year in San Fran and had the privilege of getting some appropriately diabolical ink (see the Baphomet goat image in the following gallery). We had a blast talking about all things metal and geeking out about guitars, and came away with an awesome leg tat.

Lehi recently launched a blog–http://timlehi.blogspot.com–where he regularly posts shots of his recent tattoo work, excellent guitar collection and whatever other crazy things catch his attention.

To celebrate the launch of his blog, Lehi provided us with a little sample of the tattoos and album artwork he’s created. Below, check out the shots and read what Lehi has to say about each piece.

In addition to showing off your wild side, tattoos are milestones, visual souvenirs that tell the story of your life. That said, ink-slingers extraordinaire Paul Booth and Kat Von D (pictured left at the Revolver Golden Gods) say there are certain tattoos to steer clear of, or you might regret getting them. Check out their thoughts below—and don't blame us if you've sinned on your skin. For more from Booth and Von D—as well as heavily skin-art adorned musicians from Kerry King to Tommy Lee—pick up Revolver's "Tattoo Issue," on stands now. And don't forget to enter Revolver's Tattoo Contest here.

01 PORTRAITS OF YOUR GIRLFRIEND OR BOYFRIEND
PAUL BOOTH I’m Mr. Doom and Gloom. Everyone breaks up. The only things that are forever are your kids and your parents. It’s jinx as far as I’m concerned.

02 THE DATE YOU WENT SOBER
KAT VON D If you relapse, it’s just gonna end up being a date that you got a tattoo.

03 BAND LOGOS
BOOTH I don’t necessarily see it as a bad thing. But when it’s a 16-year-old kid getting a trendy band logo tattooed on ‘em, chances are in another 10 years it’s gonna get covered up. I say that because I’m an old-timer that covers all that shit up.

04 YOUR CAR
VON D It’s probably not wise to get a portrait of your 1998 Toyota Tercel. It looks really cool in ’98, but by the time it turns 2010 it’s just not gonna be as cutting edge.

05 SOMETHING DEROGATORY TOWARDS YOUR PARENTS
BOOTH I remember this kid who came to me, he wanted a Robert Crumb-style upside-down heart that looked like a pair of butt cheeks. So I added some Robert legs squatting, and the banner became a roll of toilet paper with the word “MOM” spelled out in turds across it. Maybe you shouldn’t do that.

Revolver Editor in Chief Brandon Geist, Mistress Juliya, and tattoo's "Master of the Macabre," Paul Booth at Revolver's "Tattoo Issue" release party

Booth photo by Sarah Sturges. Kat Von D by Justin Borucki.

Heavy-music fans best know Mike Ski as the frontman of the A.K.A.s, the Philly punk rawkers who recently dropped their latest album, Animal Summer (Paper+Plastick). What fans might not know is that the ink-covered vocalist is also a skilled tattoo artist. And in celebration of Revolver's current tattoo issue, we thought we'd talk to Ski about his visual art.

REVOLVER How long have you been tattooing?
It's been around 15 years or so. There's been times where I've tattooed both full and part time over that span of time. Still trucking. 

How/why did you start?
Myself and all the friends I came up with were into tattoos and were getting tattooed by a friend of ours who ended up moving away shortly thereafter. It was a time when we didn't know much outside of our hometown aside from traveling to see bands, and there weren't many local people that were into the stuff we were into. I had been drawing my whole life and was interested in learning myself. With great trust and support from my friends–and their bravery in letting me tattoo them so early–I taught myself. Not something I would recommend nowadays, but sometimes you gotta make your own options I suppose.

Where do you tattoo?
I do a lot of traveling and tattooing on the road. When I'm home, I'm excited to have recently started tattooing by appointment at Olde City Tattoo in Philadelphia. It's always been my favorite tattoo spot in Philly since before I moved here a couple years ago. Whenever I was in town on tour I would go there and just look at all the flash for an hour. Call and make an apt! www.oldecitytattoo.com

What piece are you the most proud of?
I think like a lot of people who do different kinds of art, I'm constantly trying to learn and get better–so much so that any excitement of a sweet high fiver is short-lived. I almost completely replace my tattoo book every few months as hopefully continues to evolve. That said, I know my dad still talks about a portrait of a pit bull I did like 10 years ago. Even though it wasn't that awesome by any means, I like to say that's my favorite piece just because nothing ever impresses that guy, so it's kind of funny.

How would you describe your style?
I try to keep rounded and I like doing different stuff, however, my favorite stuff tends to be Traditional American. Bold lines, lots of black, with a contrast of bright colors. I like tattoos that you can read from a block away and look good for a long time.

Have you tattooed any other musicians?
Yes sir. Lots. Bros from Bring Me The Horizon, Silverstein, AlexisOnFire, Anti-Flag, Gallows, POS, Chiodos, Bayside…to name a few.

What’s the most annoying client you’ve ever dealt with?
I tend to be an idealist, and therefore am continually fascinated by people in general and the different ways they approach getting tattoos, so I get more amused than annoyed. Obviously, some are more challenging than others, but that's part of being a tattooer is giving your advice and opinions and ultimately making the person the most stoked. You don't always get to do a skull on a forearm…but that's what keeps it interesting. Two bits of advice: 1) Quit moving around. 2) Flex your tips yo.

Mike Ski photo by Kencredible

REVOLVER MAGAZINE LAUNCHES READER PHOTO CONTEST IN CONJUNCTION WITH FIRST-EVER TATTOO ISSUE, ON STANDS NOW

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS FROM THE ISSUE LAUNCH PARTY AT PAUL BOOTH’S LAST RITES STUDIO AVAILABLE AT REVOLVERMAG.COM

REVOLVER Magazine’s first-ever tattoo issue is currently on newsstands. Now, as a tie-in to the mag, tattoo enthusiasts and REVOLVER readers have a chance to win a grand-prize package including autographed Slayer items and swag from renowned tattoo artists Paul Booth and Kat Von D.

Fans can enter the contest by submitting the best pictures of themselves, someone else, or even a pet wearing the exclusive Paul Booth temporary tattoo included in the REVOLVER tattoo issue to letters [futureusgalleryat] revolvermag.com and filling out the entry form at http://bit.ly/tattoocontest.

Photos will be posted at www.revolvermag.com, and the winner, chosen on the merits of the “most insane, hilarious, and generally awesome pic,” will receive a prize pack including an autographed Slayer poster and autographed deluxe edition of Slayer’s latest CD, World Painted Blood, a limited-edition set of Paul Booth tattoo flash (printed sheets of tattoo designs), and Kat Von D’s book High Voltage Tattoo, as well as copies of Revolver’s “Book of Slayer” and “The Art of Hard Rock & Heavy Metal” special issues.

Meanwhile, exclusive photos from the February 25 launch party for Revolver magazine’s tattoo issue held at Paul Booth’s Last Rites Studio in New York and hosted by Mistress Juliya of Fuse TV can be viewed online now at http://www.revolvermag.com/features/post/exclusive-photos-from-revolvers-tattoo-issue-launch-party-at-paul-boot/. Present were Paul Booth and his mom, Paula; bands including Acrassicauda and Violent Soho; sideshow performers Nik Sin, Serpentina, and Nelson Lugo; staffers of Revolver, RED, Tones of Death, MTV2’s Headbangers Ball, Fuse, AOL Noisecreep, Metal Injection, and many others.

Revolver Magazine’s tattoo issue—available on newsstands and in stores until May 10 and in Revolver’s online store at http://bit.ly/tattooissue—features a striking cover image of Slayer’s Kerry King and his legendary Paul Booth-inked head tattoo. King is pictured with blood dripping from his head onto his shoulders, an homage to Slayer’s “Raining Blood.” The March/April 2010 issue of Revolver includes the cover story “The History of Tattoos in Hard Rock,” an in-depth feature by writer Christopher R. Weingarten exploring when tattoos first became rock staples, how they have evolved, and their future. Interview subjects include Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, L.A. Ink’s Kat Von D, Slayer’s Kerry King, Mötley Crüe’sTommy Lee, tattoo artist Paul Booth, original rock star tattooist Lyle Tuttle and many others. The story also features sidebar pieces on the “The Hottest Female Tattoo Artists,” “The Most Ridiculous Rocker Tattoo Fails,” “How to Get Your First Tattoo,” “The Most Painful Spots to Get Tattooed,” and more.

The March/April issue of REVOLVER also features:

- The Devil Wears Prada, including a look at some of frontman Mike Hranica’s favorite tattoos.

- HIM, as well as a sidebar on vocalist Ville Valo’s most recognizable tattoos

- Fear Factory, plus a look at some of singer Burton C. Bell’s tattoos

- Volbeat, including a sidebar on frontman Michael Poulsen’s five Elvis tattoos

- A remembrance of Avenged Sevenfold’s late, great drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan, as well as a tribute poster of him.

- The issue also announces the 2010 Revolver Golden Gods awards show and lists this year’s nominees. Fans can vote for the winners at www.revolvermag.com/goldengods.

Despite the fact that an epic snowstorm was hitting NYC, there was an awesome turnout: Mistress Juliya played MC, Paul Booth and his badass mom Paula were on hand, as were the bands Acrassicauda and Violent Soho; sideshow performers Nik Sin, Serpentina, and Nelson Lugo; staffers of Revolver, RED, Tones of Death, Headbangers Ball, Fuse, Noisecreep, Metal Injection, and many, many others–all enjoying complimentary Coney island Lager! View pics from the crazy scene below.

Photos by Sarah Sturges (except photo #10, by Gerard Vong)

REVOLVER How long have you been tattooing?
JASON "GONG" JONES 15 years.
 
How and why did you start?
I've been drawing ever since I can remember. I was dating this girl that was a piercer for a while and I guess just being around that scene was what really got me into tattooing.
 
Where you tattoo?
I work at Horseshoes & Handgrnades, 1012 N. Mills Avenue, Orlando, Florida. www.grenadestattoo.com
 
What piece are you the most proud of?
The Sailor Jerry pinup girl face. I know it's not the most technically difficult piece – and I've seen it done quite few times by other artists – but I just like the way it came out.
 
How would you describe your style?
In life, I feel like I'm a cartoon of myself, so I guess my art reflects that…so maybe "cartoon realism?"
 
What's the most annoying client you've ever dealt with?
I had a lady shit herself while I was tattooing her lower back. That was pretty fucking annoying… Luckily I was almost done.

Photo of Jones by Jose Figueroa-Baez.

Revolver editor in chief Brandon Geist was recently interviewed by host Carl Sundberg of "The Edge," on KFLY-FM, Oregon rock radio. You can listen to him talking Golden Gods, Pantera, Revolver's new tattoo issue, and more this Sunday between 8 & 10 p.m. PST, or stream the interview here now: kflyfm.com/pages/edge