The document analyzes several digipak advertisements from various rock/metal bands featured in music magazines. It discusses design elements like imagery, color schemes, and information included that effectively promote the bands, their albums, and related tours. Interviews with bands in the magazines complement the advertisements and further promote new music releases to readers and potential buyers.

1. Digipak advert analysis – Young Guns (KERRANG: July 2010)
Grey, silver background with a grey/brown
colour scheme is simplistic yet gives the
The font of the band’s name is stylised and
image a slightly grungy look to imply what
gives off a western feel which could be a
genre the music of the band is (metal). This
clever use of irony as the band’s name is
technique allows the product to reach its
“Young Guns” which could mean the guns
target audience.
used by cowboys.
The “beams” behind the main image add
The way in which the text curls at the ends
dimension to the way in which the advert is
is similar to the swirly pattern behind the
presented which make it appear more
lion, which could represent fire, yet is done
interesting and therefore a passer by is more
so in a way that may invite female attention
likely to consider this poster.
as well. Therefore the entire image is
consistent.
The image of the lion is central to the poster
The title of the album is included, as this is
which draws attention from potential
important information to the consumer
purchasers of the digipak.
and all of the text is in capitals which could
be reflective of the “loud” and slightly
The image itself is of a lion adorning a crown
overwhelming nature of music of the
of thorns which has connotations of religion
metal genre.
(the crucifixion of Jesus) or bravery. The lion
is also crying which suggests emotion (heavy
Information is also included on the release
rock) yet the mouth is watering meaning he is
date (to inform potential consumers) and
a predator.
the album’s producers to rightfully credit
them.
The image is basically ambiguous which
could mean it is left to interpretation and not
Tour dates are featured in a banner at the
aimed at a specific audience.
bottom of the advert which are significant
as this helps to promote the album by The band’s website is included for further
informing fans of when the band will be on information as is the logo of the production
tour, allowing them time to book tickets, company of the album to promote their work
ensuring that most of the places will be as well as that of the band and to credit their
sold. contribution to the completion of this
product.

2. Digipak advert analysis – Young Guns (KERRANG: July 2010)
Coincidently, as well as having
their digipak advertised on the
back cover of the magazine,
Young Guns also featured on the
front cover as part of promotion
for the new album.
Their poses in the shots taken of
the band themselves could be
suggestive of the type of music
that they play (and that the
album is comprised of). For
example, in the image used for
the front cover, frontman Gustav
Wood shows his fist and has a
“wolf-like” expression
suggesting aggression. Similarly,
in the double-spread feature
image, he holds his fist which is
associated with the intent of
physical violence.
Furthermore, in the single shots of the band, they are all hitting a glass prop which suggests the
chaos and disruption that is associated with heavy rock music. Also, the background is red which
connotes anger or perhaps simply powerful emotions which are usually present in or the focus of
rock and metal songs.
Therefore, both the digipak advert and the images accompanying an interview with the band
promote their music and their status as a heavy rock band.

3. Digipak advert analysis – Iron Maiden (Rock Sound: August 2010)
The name of the band is positioned centrally at The album title itself; “The Final Frontier” is
the top of the poster and becomes one its one of the few text boxes in yellow and uses a
main focuses as most fans will be drawn to this font that can be distinguished from the rest of
advertisement through how it identifies with the text in order for this detail to stand out as
the band; making it recognisable to those who it is important for the consumer who may
would be most likely to buy the product. potentially buy this product.
The bold, red colour and white outline help the The advert includes phrases such as “The new
title to stand out further. This is highlighted studio album” to inform the potential audience
especially as the rest of the poster is dark of what is being advertised. Also the
which creates an effective contrast between advertisement states which songs feature in
the text and the images. this album which may persuade somebody
who has previously heard one of these before
The image itself would be recognisable to fans and liked it to buy the album by advertising
of this band as seems to be a newer version of this fact.
their other album art; depicting monsters, The poster also shows a small inset picture of
blood, death and terror. The image is detailed the digipak itself which may reinforce some
and grotesque but definitely catches attention buyers of whether or not to buy this album. It
because of this. also states in smaller font, as institutional
information may be less important to the
The image is also significant as the monster consumer. For example, who the digipak was
holds the bands logo, a metal tool, which is produced by or that there is a special edition
also featured in reference to a sword crossing which may appeal to more serious fans.
over the skull images in the corners of the
poster to frame it whilst making the metallic There is also tour information included at the
and frightening theme consistent. bottom of the advert, informing fans of the
venue and date of the concert so that they can
Synergy is also used effectively as the album purchase tickets; further promoting the band.
seems to have a “space” or astronaut theme as The band’s website is featured alongside the
the characters are wearing space suits and the record labels logo on the advert, yet in small
release date of the album is dubbed: “Lift off”. font as this information is supposedly less
important in advertising the digipak.
The colour scheme is effective as red, yellow
and white are all of the same spectrum yet
stand out from each other.

4. Digipak advert analysis – Iron Maiden (Rock Sound: August 2010)
Iron Maiden are also featured inside the magazine itself to accompany the advertisement for the new digipak. However, significantly,
this article shows an image of the album cover but the main focus is a shot of the band themselves which is also important in
promoting music as the appearance of the band may influence whether or not someone is willing to pa and see them perform at a
concert. In the image, most of the band members are not smiling, suggesting that their music is serious and their long hair and dark
clothes suggest they play heavy rock/metal compositions.
Furthermore, the band are mentioned on the front cover of the magazine itself which further advertises their new album and acts as
an incentive to buy the magazine too; which gives the editors a reason to make an article about them.

5. Digipak advert analysis – Rock Sound: August 2010
Many other bands are also listed on the front
cover of the magazine and also feature in an
article simultaneously. This is likely to act as a
duel form of advertisement for their new
music as well as giving the reader an
incentive to buy the magazine, if they catch
sight of a band they particularly like.
Therefore, it is only because this is a music
magazine that the bands are advertised both
on the front and on the inside whereas a
fashion magazine, for example, would not
mention new album releases on the front
cover as it is assumed that the target market
for this product would be those who are
interested in fashion, therefore the types of
albums that may be advertised could be pop,
for example, as rock albums are usually only
advertised in music magazines as they have a
specific target audience.

6. Digipak advert analysis – KORN (Rock Sound: August 2010)
Interview featuring
an image of the band
and their logo to
identify them.
Advertisement for
the band’s tour. Digipak advert for
Featuring their logo their album by HMV.
and similar imagery Includes a review
from their album for from the magazine at
the tour – synergy. the top to further
advertise.

7. Digipak advert analysis – Architects (Rock Sound: August 2010)
Interview featuring
an image of a
member from the
band to present the
group to the
potential target
audience.
The singer “in action”
shows they are a
heavy metal band.
An advert from HMV
shows their digipak
as one of the new
albums available and
contains important
information
concerning its
release.

8. Digipak advert analysis – Circa Survive(Rock Sound: August 2010)
Interview featuring an image of the
band which may be important for
the audience as an image of them
is not featured in the digipak
advert and through this, the
audience are able to identify the
band.
The digipak advert
contains a positive
review which further
promotes the band
and their music.

9. Digipak advert analysis – 36 CrazyFists(Rock Sound: August 2010)
The band’s
new album is
reviewed in
the
magazine
alongside
their
interview
which is
useful to the
consumer
and acts to
promote the
band.
An advert for their digipak is also
featured which includes the relevant
information on the album’s release,
specifically naming their previous
singles which may have been
successful and persuade an audience
to purchase the album.