The first music magazine analysis I have produced. It describes the features of the front cover, contents page and double-sided layout, and details on how readers can be interested in reading this rock-oriented magazine.
2. Front cover of Kerrang! magazine
The masthead is presented in
bold writing (which is modified
to simulate the perception of
cracking). Its typography is
well-known and recognisable to
music fans and past Kerrang!
Readers.
Strategically placed in the
middle, the headline can be
clearly seen in white and
bright yellow – “SLIPKNOT
DESTROY DOWNLOAD” to
give a sense of aggression
towards hardcore music
lovers. It also uses the rule of
three for interest.
The luminous,
aggressive colours used
apply to a more mature
rock-oriented audience. It
makes the cover more
aesthetically pleasing, with
drapes of (primarily) red
and yellow.
They connote the
hardcore rock scene
associated with the same
genre.
The main cover image of
Corey Taylor of Slipknot is
on the front cover. His pose
connotes victory, and his
facemask strips all
seriousness off of the front
cover. As he is the lead
singer he is more or less
associated with the
progressive rock sound and
genre of Kerrang! Magazine.
The puffs on the front
cover are highlighted in the
usual yellow and red for an
anchored mode of
address. The band and
artist names (Muse, Ice-T
etc.) are made bold to
highlight their prominence
to the audience.
Situated on the pug of
the magazine is a
promotional “poster pull-
out!” to easily capture
the eye of the consumer.
Beside the barcode is the website, issue number and price.
The website makes it possible for the audience to connect to
Kerrang! online and view more details easier.
3. Contents page
In what can be described
as unusual, the
typography, sans serif, of
the contents page is
presented in three-
dimensional boldness, but
littered in handwritten
drawings of snakes, paper
and a skull, particularly to
reflect how unorganised
music rockers are.
The image of Corey Taylor and
another member of Slipknot keeps
the contents page in context with the
front cover. He and his band mate
giving the rock sign to the audience
("directly" to the reader) may
encourage motivation from rock fans
so as to become interested in further
reading the magazine.
House style is clearly presented as
the same yellow colours are used
throughout the magazine. The same
typography for the subheadings of
each separate article recur, anchoring
the mode of address and the identity
of the brand. This encourages brand
loyalty.
The contents page is a single page
only instead of two unlike certain
magazines such as Q. This may
connote simplification of the
magazine so less pages are used and
readers do not get bored.
The issue number and date (ISSUE
1573 JUNE 20, 2015) are creatively
presented in front of a trademark
yellow background. The font is kept
uniform.
Unique to this contents page is a
slanted, warning sign-like section in
the right third. The note from the
editor is written in the same way he
might be interviewed. It follows the
same informal in-house style
prominently featured throughout
Kerrang's band articles.
The article in the left third of the
contents page "DAVE BREAKS A
LEG" is illuminated in yellow and
displays an image of Grohl's x-ray of
his broken leg - one of the featured
side articles. "STOP THE PRESS!" is
also written at the top and bottom,
informing the reader of a very
important backstory.
4. Double-sided layout
The headline "REIGN IN MUD"
is presented in three-
dimensional fancy italic
typography sans serif. It acts as
anchorage text for the image of
Corey Taylor of Slipknot which
may recall how famous Slipknot
is to rock music fans.
The magazine's trademark
yellow and red can be
prominently seen on both of
these pages, keeping the house
style in issue context (both in
quotes and in the sub-border at
the bottom of the pages).
Bold, highlighted band names are
ranked with Ks, indicating how good
they are. The reviews listed below
fuel the interests of rock fans.
The layout of the photos on
both pages are presented in an
dominated but unorganised
style; this reflects the scattered
and untidy fashion of the
Download K! festival, where
everywhere is muddy and
music ravers dance around
wildly to the progressive
melody.
There is a series of puffs to
inform readers about the
reviews of other rock bands at
the Download K! festival - key
insights into the recorded
events told.
At the far right of both pages is
a subsection describing
another known band
(Beartooth). The close-up of
the lead singer (Caleb Shomo)
connotes the aggressiveness
of the vocals sung. The two
other main images are
stereotypical of what happens
at music gigs.
The double-page layout is a
summary of the events in the
Download K! Festival. At the top
left of the page is an additional
image of a red British bulldog
with an aggravating stare and
the sub-heading "DOWNLOAD -
THE MONSTER REVIEW",
depicting a well-detailed look
back at the best moments of the
weekend.
Other images of lead singers singing
to the audience reflects the brash
furiousness of rock music. Audiences
will easily relate to the progressive
rock sound.
