Irish rock giants U2 have been accused of plagiarism after it emerged that the group aren't the first to use Hiroshi Sugimoto's painting 'Boden Sea' as an album cover.
The band have kept fans waiting almost four years for a new album. Forthcoming record 'No Line On The Horizon' is U2's first since 2005 and comes amid a barrage of hype with Bono claiming to have re-invented rock and roll.
U2 are streaming their new single 'Get On Your Boots' from their website, and will perform it live at the prestigious Brit Award ceremony.
However, concerns have been raised by ambient duo Richard Chartier and Taylor Deupree who also used the painting on the cover of their 2006 album 'Specification'. A collection of ambient electronic pieces, it is almost as far away from the bombast of U2 as it is possible to go.
However, any accusations of plagiarism are unwarranted - it seems that the two parties merely have similar taste in paintings. Furthermore, the cover of Brothomstates' 2001 Warp album Caro uses the painting as well.
U2 release new album 'No Line On The Horizon' on March 2nd.