Analysis

1. ANALYSIS

4. COLOUR
SCHEMES
The colour scheme throughout Kerrang! Is
mainly red, black, white and yellow. These
colours are very bold alike the music genre
they portray and can attract the eye of new
readers.
The colour red is associated with things such
as danger, anger, strength and rage, in which
many of the bands featured in Kerrang! Portray
through their band image and music genre. Red
is used constantly throughout the covers of
these magazines to convey what the magazine
is about.
The colour black is symbolic of things such
like death and sadness, yet also power and
intimidation. Bands and performers featured in
Kerrang! Often fall under the sub genre of
‘death metal’ which may be a reference to the
contents of the magazine.
The colour yellow can often be associated with
confidence, originality and creativity, which
the bands and performers in the magazine all
convey, which can also be implied by the
bright colours on the magazine cover.

5. Masthead is consistent, same size, style and
font, however can change colour depending on
colour schemes.
Barcode shows price and date of issue. This
one is from 7th November 2015, for £2.50.
Headline shows what the feature of the
magazine, usually the band name.
Anchorage shows the topic the feature is
about without giving away what is inside, to
make the reader want to buy it.
The plug of the magazine often offers
something the reader can physically gain, often
posters of popular bands which are exclusive
to the magazine.
Splash image is relevant to the main headline,
usually a long shot or a medium long shot as
the image and clothes of the band draw
attention to them.
Menu strip can attract specific readers who
are fans of those bands.
Secondary lead shows which other topics are
inside. Can attract fans of that specific
performer.
Puff and plug grabs interest of the
audience. Specifically words such like ‘win’
and ‘special’.

6. Title – the reader knows what they’re
looking at.
Message from the editor makes a direct
approach to the reader, makes them feel
involved.
Photo is a medium long shot, takes up left
and center thirds, shows content of the
magazine with clear title, page number
and tag line.
Red, black, white and yellow colour
scheme continues throughout the
magazine.
Cover stories clearly shown on contents
bar with direct page numbers and brief
description and supporting image.
Sub headings showing exactly what the
topics are with direct page numbers.
Fonts and text are easy to read, stay
consistent with font size, style and
colours. Key works and page numbers are
bolded to stand out.
Brief advertisement of magazine content
at bottom, supported by page number,
description and image.

7. Colour
scheme has
remained
the same,
mainly
yellow and
black.
Font is clear
and
readable,
also stays
consistent to
size, style
and colour.
Pictures are clear, large and high quality, edited to match the aesthetic of the
magazine and the band.
Instruments
featured in
the images
shows what
type of band
they are, for
readers to
Pull quotes
from the
artists draw
the attention
of the
reader,
makes them
curious to
read on,
also in bold
contrasting
colours to
stand out. Conventions of a
magazine contain the
columns that the text is
presented in, looks like a
magazine article and is
easy to read and
understand what is
Questions
are bolded
within the
text so the
reader has
an
understandin
g of what
they are
reading, also
to locate
significant
parts of the
text.
The mise-en-scene of this double page spread
includes their clothing, which is mainly dark tones, a
denim jacket and also a plain black jacket. This fits
the genre of the band which is punk rock, as it
doesn’t feature anything glammed up which you
would expect from a pop artist. They look like they
are concentrating which fans will appreciate seeing

8. MISE-EN-SCENE
Front Cover
Characters: on the cover of Kerrang! It features two-piece band Twenty One Pilots,
who fall into the genre of alternative pop, electro pop and indie pop, however fans
claim that they fall into the genre of rock and/or punk yet nonetheless fit into the
general aesthetic of the magazine. Blocking: The characters on the cover portray their
image with their stances by being close together yet not touching, as if they’re close
to their followers and fans.
Costume: The costume of the characters shows them in dark clothing of black skinny
jeans, one wearing a plain black t-shirts and one wearing a hoodie with the image of
a skeletons bones. One is wearing Vans canvas shoes which closely relate to this
genre and Kerrang! Are partnered with the Vans warped tour. The red hat and face
paint also connects to the colour scheme and aesthetic of the magazine.
Contents Page:
Characters: On the contents page it features a medium long shot of a member of the
band Crossfaith, which fits into the metalcore genre. This fits the diversity of the
Kerrang! Magazine as it is a subgenre of non-mainstream pop culture music.
Blocking: The way this band member is stood with this hand out looks intimidating
and threatening, which relates to the genre of the band. Costume: The man on the
photo is wearing a leather jacket and a baggy grey t-shirt. Leather is often associated
with being punk and edgy, which can symbolise how they want to portray their band
to the public. He has styled hair however his facial hair looks rugged, seeming like
they want to look good yet don’t care what others think about their image. His facial
expression matches the blocking of the image as it looks very scary and intimidating.
Double Page Spread:

11. The main colours featured on NME magazine
are red and white, as this is the colour of their
logo also.
However, sometimes colours such like blue
and yellow can be seen to highlight and
underline key aspects of the magazine and
subheadings to convey what is also inside the
magazine.
Splash images on the cover often have
minimal colours, usually blacks, whites and
greys, this creates a minimal effect on the
cover.
Colours like red and black imply ideas such
like power and intimidation, of which the
music genres featured in this magazine are
infact powerful songs by powerful bands
which have meanings.

12. Masthead is aligned to the left,
and is consistent in the colour,
size and positioning on all
covers.
Barcode shows price and date
of issue.
Splash image is a medium long
shot, shows the whole band with
the lead in the foreground and
the rest in the background.
Being on the cover will attract
fans of this group in particular.Text on the cover isn’t aligned
with each other or to a side,
shows that it is very casual and
not formal.
Bold and contrasting colours
catch the eye and draw
attention, big words and names
are also eye catching.
Font is consistent and doesn’t
change, however orientation
does to make it look edgy.
Pull quotes can trigger
curiousness from the audience
and also give an insight to the
topic of the article.Coverlines of popular artists can
attract targeted audience and
readers. Also portrays content of
the magazine.

13. Colour scheme is consistent to the
cover, mainly red, black and
grey/white.
Magazine (full) title and issue date are
printed small so they don’t take the
attention away from the main focus.
Images break up the text to make it
easy to read, also supports the topic of
the title.
List of bands in alphabetical order
makes it easy to locate specific parts
of the magazine, with clear page
numbers.
Subheadings are bolded and
highlighted to make it easy to read and
locate on the page.
Font style, size and colour is
consistent and easy to read, also not
harsh to look at.
Simple shaped boxes and photos so its
easy to look at and take in.
The photograph used is a medium
long shot of someone surrounded by
guitars. No direct approach to the

14. Faded colours
and photos fit
the general
aesthetic of
NME magazine,
also cool toned
and not harsh
and over
powering to
look at.
Drop caps are
used to
introduce the
article.
Pull quotes are
extracted from
the article,
usually funny or
catchy and what
people will
remember.
Colour scheme
is different to
the cover and
contents page,
however are
cool toned and
accent the
images featured
Timeline strip
at the bottom
makes the
spread seem
interactive
with the
audience, with
Image captions are highlighted to draw attention to them.
Language is informal and casual, also contains foul words
which contribute to a genre of music which the magazine
is influenced by.
Conventions of the magazine include the columns,
images, quotes and drop cap which are all featured on this

15. Front Cover:
Characters: On the front cover the band featured are all looking at the camera apart from 2, this gives an
informal effect as 2 of them are not looking at the reader when the rest are, almost seeming unprofessional,
however the aesthetic of the NME magazine is not to be glammed up and formal but to be toned down and
casual.
Blocking: They are all stood in a line with the front man closer to the camera, which suggests he is the
lead singer of the band, and so he is in the foreground with the rest in the background. Their stances seem
casual which fits the magazine as it isn’t formal.
Costume: The clothes they’re wearing are mainly leather, denim and the colour black, as these are really
relaxed and toned down. The leather jackets are sleeveless and they each wear many necklaces and
bracelets which makes their clothes look distressed and edgy. Clothing usually portrays an image of their
band and their aesthetic.
Contents:
Characters: On the contents page there is a photograph of performer Mac DeMarco, an indie rock
musician. His musical genre fits into the general aspect of NME which makes it suitable for the magazine.
Blocking: In his photo he is sat around slouched. This makes him seem very relaxed and casual unlike
mainstream pop stars who would be posing.
Costume: Mac DeMarco is wearing an open shirt with a t-shirt underneath. This is very plain and practical
yet also edgy and how a stereotypical “indie” musician would dress. It is also appealing to the audience
with similar musical interest as they can afford clothes alike the performer in the magazine.
Double Page Spread:
Characters: The double page spread is about Mac DeMarco like on the contents page, however is more in
depth.
Blocking: There are 3 photographs featured in the double page spread, and none of them are posed. The

18. Apparent colour schemes through the rock
sound magazine covers seems to be alike
many other rock magazines, where they
incorporate lots of contrasting colours and
the three primary colours such as red,
yellow, black, white and sometimes blue.
The splash images often have minimal
colours to them, usually dark tones such as
black, grey and navy.
On the cover there is usually no empty
spaces, however when there is, its usually
one colour with different tones to it, for
example the blue ones range from pale blue
and white, to a bright blue, and the red ones
have faded reds with splodges of bright red.

19. Splash image is a medium long shot from the waist upwards, showing the whole band on the
cover each looking at the camera which gives the effect that they are connecting with
the audience.
Top strip has a plug saying “Exclusive”, which
makes it seem like only the readers will benefit
from it. Also has freebies which attract
audiences by physically gaining something
from the magazine.
Masthead is clear an visible, despite being
partially covered in the middle third.
Left third has larger text as it is usually the
most viewed side when on sale.
Splash features can attract an audience for
specific bands and performers featured on the
cover.
Cover lines can give an insight into the stories
which will be inside the magazine.
Different colours are used to highlight
subheadings and tag lines in the cover lines.
Colour scheme fits the overall colour schemes mainly used for rock sound.

20. Masthead is featured however is slightly
smaller than on the cover, still same font and
colour.
Splash image is dimly lit and cannot see the
full face, portraying that someone is
performing and concentrating on their
performance which is what audiences like to
know.Smaller images featured have no titles yet
page numbers, this attracts fans which
recognise the band by their appearance, and
also people who are curious as to who they
are will go to those pages to find out.
Tag lines are funny and catchy, can draw
attention to specific pages and articles on
the contents page.
Cover lines are bolded on the contents page
as they are what people read before they
turn to the contents page to find the specific
articles.
Text only on the right third, not cluttered
and easy to read.
The font is always the same, easy to read
and colour co-ordinated.

21. Pull quote gives an
insight into the
article.
Splash image is a medium close up. Shows the man looking away as if
he is in deep thought. Portrays him as a deep thinker.
Dark colours are used to represent the image of the band, also matches
his hair colour can contrasts against the text on the second page. Fits the
original colour scheme of the magazine.
Band name is in
bold to grab the
attention of people
looking through the
magazine, makes it
easy to recognize
the band. The white
also contrasts
against the black.Magazine
conventions feature
columned text, page
numbers and also
bolded or
highlighted
questions which are
each featured on this
dps.
Font is clear and
easy to read, the
contrasting colours
also make it easy to
see against the
background

22. Front Cover
Characters: On the cover is an emo punk band called Bring me the Horizon. Each of the members are all
facing the camera and looking into it, which can create a connection with the reader, making it personal to
the audience.
Blocking: The whole band are stood in a line, facing the camera. The lead singer of the band is stood in the
foreground with the members in 2 other rows in the background with the tallest in the back.
Costume: They are all wearing the same thing which fits the colour scheme of the magazine which is black
and white. The frontman has a lot of his tattoos on display, portraying the kind of band they are. Their shirts
look as if they have been ripped, and underneath they are bleeding which can signify that they are a
dangerous band.
Contents Page
Characters: There is 4 images on the contents page. One of a man performing on stage, and 3 smaller
images from the cover page. The splash image from the cover page is on there with the relevant page
number, along with two other bands which fans may be able to recognise.
Blocking: Besides the largest image, each person on the smaller image is facing the camera and posing with
their band. The larger image the person is not looking at the camera as they are performing and aren’t
distracted by their vanity on stage.
Costume: The larger image, the man is wearing a sleeveless shirt, as while he is on stage he doesn’t want to
get too hot. He also has long hair which may imply that he is part of an alternative band where they are not
too fussed about their image. The top smaller image is the same as the front cover. The middle image
features a band dressed in purple which displays them as a bold band. The bottom images are of performers
who are not posing or dressed up for a photo. This shows them as relaxed and casual people which
compared to mainstream performers is a drastic contrast in colours and style.
Double Page Spread
Characters: On this double page spread, it features a medium close up of the frontman of the band Bring

23. CONVENTIONS OF THE MAGAZINES -
COVER
The masthead on all
three magazines is
always at the top of the
page, where it is clear
and visible.
The splash image is
always cut out and
placed over the
masthead so sometimes
parts of the masthead
cannot be seen.
Magazines can often be set out into thirds, where you have the left third, the central third and
the right third. When there is a larger band with a front man, he is often featured in the centre
third with the members equally spaced out in the other thirds. However on the Kerrang!
cover, it features a two-piece so they are both in the centre third.
The left third is often the most busiest. This is because firstly, we read from left to right, so
this will be viewed first and grab most of the readers attention. However, also when the
magazines are shelved, you usually see more of the left side of the magazine due to the way
they are shelved.
The masthead is usually a very contrasting
colour with what is behind it, as on these
magazines there is a dark or bright
background with the masthead in white. This
makes it stand out as there is such a large
contrast in colour.
The barcode is in the same place on each of the magazines and also features the date and
price in the lower right corner.
The colour schemes for these magazines are
also very similar, this may be due to the
similarity in music genre which features
rock, punk, indie, alternative and metal.

24. CONVENTIONS OF THE MAGAZINES -
CONTENTS An apparent
convention on
contents pages is
images. This can help
break down text and
also fill blank spaces.On these specific
contents pages the
colour red is used
throughout to make
images and text stand
out against the other
colours.Big stories in the magazine are often highlighted and made more prominent than others.
These are usually what are featured on the cover and what draw attention to the audience in
the first place, so they make them easier to locate than the smaller stories.
Images on the page usually are accompanied with page numbers, making the photo actually
relevant to the magazine which will influence readers to actually want to buy the magazine,
rather than filling it with irrelevant images.
Subheadings with tag lines are a convention of a contents page, as it can give an insight to
the article. Often is an inside joke within a fan base or something catchy which will draw
attention to the specific article.
Page numbers are also relevant as they tell you the direct page you are looking for, also the
whole point of the contents page is to be able to find what you are looking for within the

25. CONVENTIONS OF THE MAGAZINES –
DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
Double page spreads often have a colour scheme which is relevant to the genre of artist the
spread is about. The BMTH double page spread features dark colours which can relate to their
genre of music; the ‘Tonight Alive” spread colour scheme also fits with their clothing choice
and is also fairly toned down (despite the yellow) and also matches the top strip which was on
the cover of the magazine. The Mac DeMarco spread is very toned down and cool toned
colours. The grey and blue matches the colours of the photos (more specifically the middle
photo with the sea) and pairs well with the colours he is wearing.Drop caps are only used in one of these spreads, thus although it being a convention of a
magazine, it isn't crucial.
The body of the text is always structured in columns, and they are also always the same width
with the rest to make it look uniformed and also makes it easy to read.
Photos are used to break up large amounts of text, and often the text is shaped around the
image.