It is the centrepiece of the iconic front cover of Led Zeppelin IV which famously features no words. The origin of the central figure has remained a mystery for over half a century. It can now be revealed as a late Victorian coloured photograph of a Wiltshire thatcher. Led Zeppelin were never a group of settlers. Their previous album, IV virtually defined the hard rock genre with its era-defining guitar riffs and bombastic destiny. It remains among rock's essential albums. The follow-up never tries to emulate that achievement. Instead, Houses of the Holy approaches things from a diverse, genre-busting side. .

led zeppelin iv album artwork