The front cover illustration depicts a wintry graveyard with deformed stone sculptures resembling either angels or demons.

The lyrics and spine use the Caslon Antique font, prominently featured on the band's previous album, Black Sails in the Sunset.

Alan had previously produced the album art for 1999's Black Sails in the Sunset, as well as number of the band's merchandise designs, and tour posters.

[18][19] In an AllMusic review, MacKenzie Wilson says "Punk rawkers AFI exude another powerful disposition on their fifth album, The Art of Drowning.

Issued on Dexter Holland's Nitro Records, AFI's quick and haughty, spiraling guitar riffs and crashing percussion make for another mishmash for single-fisted anthems for punk revivalists and enigmatic pop kids raging against the machine.

Frontman Davey Havok casts a rough demeanor, but certainly not anything intimidating because punk rock became friendly after the war of early-'90s grunge.

[33] All lyrics are written by Davey Havok; all music is composed by AFIAll tracks recorded during The Art of Drowning sessions.