The masthead uses contrast between a white background and bright red writing to stand out from the dark background image of three men dressed in darker clothes. The cracks within the masthead writing connect to cracks in the main image, giving the cover a cohesive 3D effect. The two main colors of black and white blend the image in with the magazine's overall style while allowing flexibility to use other colors on future covers.

1. The masthead is blocky, capitalised and The main image shows two men meaning
incorporates 3 of their 4 main colours clothing and in surrounding which still
which are presented throughout the rest incorporate predominantly NME’s main
of the front cover. This masthead is bold three colours. The image also shows one
and eye-catching because of this, and man wearing fully dark coloured clothes
the capitalised writing makes it seem and the other man having dark hair and
important and energetic as a title. It also makeup on, the expression he has as well
uses a lot of the colour red which as the makeup go well together with the
commonly represents energy, and anger red colour which represents anger and
which goes with the main they look angry. Not only this but the
headline, highlighting the word props used with the image (pocket
“INSANE” within it. watch/cane) are representative of wealth
They’ve used a fourth extra colour within and maturity which shows the image as
their scheme to draw attention to a still having a target audience of 18-24 yr
They’ve used a lot of
certain part of the cover (brown to draw olds but telling the audience if you like
contrast within this
attention to the Win £400) and also have this band and read this magazine you’re
cover, creating a calm
had capitalised sub headings on the mature.
mature looking image for
cover with lower case information the background using a lot
underneath, showing the viewer the of white and then they’ve The colours used by NME (red, white and
story inside and giving them a small idea used very bright red writing. black) are a very common combination of
what could be in the story. Another This gives a contrast colours used for magazines. They are very
technique used is catchy phrases such as between the two and how cleverly picked out to be able to portray
“glitter or gutter” to make sure attention they are (red = very different kinds of emotion of the
is still drawn to the smaller stories on the energetic, white = calm) front of the magazine easily for example
cover and that the main title doesn’t which makes the cover they would use more red
take over the entire front page. The final looking more interesting (anger, energy, excitement) if it was a
way in which attention has been moved and also makes the red more active headline and more white
away from the main title is using special writing stand out more (calming, relaxing) if it was a more relaxed
edition headlines and freebees. which the picture giving it a headline e.g. About acoustic music more
blank background than rock.

2. The masthead is blocky, capitalised and The main image shows a band of three
created a contrast between the men all dressed in darker clothes and
background. The white writing makes it wearing stereotypical American gangster
easier for them to use a darker props (baseball cap, bandana). The
background which is more angry and colours within this image are two of the
rock & roll. The cracks within the writing magazines corporate colours black and
give the impression of a loud noise or white) which goes overall with the look of
destruction (smashing a guitar up, crowd the cover and makes the image blend in
jumping together) which adds overall to more overall. The crack effect on the front
the rock and roll theme of the magazine of the image connects also with the
cover. cracking in the mast head text which gives
the cover a more 3D effect and makes the
The other sub headlines on the cover image jump out at the viewer. The image
and the skyline as well as the pictures also connects with the main headline
They’ve given them self a
have been chosen to still go with the which says “something to say” and
lot of freedom with how the
theme of mystery and angry, mentioning they’ve used the hammer to represent
magazine will be viewed by
metal bands such as Slipknot and Lamb statement the band are trying to make.
the public using a
of God as well as using aggressive calm, relaxing colour
looking pictures like the one of the K! Kerrang have created something different
(white) and a with their corporate image on the cover
Tour and the mysterious, darker colour dark, mysterious colour
based image of My Chemical Romance of their magazines. They’ve used the
(black) as well as being able same two colours for each cover black
(which colour scheme goes very well to use whatever other
with the cover pictures). The fact the and white) but they change the other
colours they want. They’ve two/three colours within nearly every
writing and borders are at angles also continues the darker look of
goes with the theme of it being cover. This technique gives them the
the cover using a dark red freedom to create whatever effect they
broken, mis-shapen and destroyed. This which adds energy and
also finally links with the picture and want on the cover (brighter colours for
angry to it which goes with more excited headlines e.g. A new album
gives the effect of the hammer hitting the destructive theme of
the screen caused everything to move. or single, and darker colours for more
the front cover image and emotional covers.
the mystery of the men.

3. The masthead is colourful and eye- The main image adds a lot to this cover as
catching. It gives the cover of the it adds a classic look to the cover and also
magazine a playful look and less serious adds a sort of blank canvas effect for the
compared to magazines such as NME or bright colours used on the stories and
Rolling Stone. The masthead also masthead. The image is mysterious with
represents the type of music that is the blank black background and how it
going to be inside the magazine for fades into the picture but still using harsh
example Kerrang has heavy music and lines to define parts of his face e.g. Jaw
their masthead is cracked and represents line. This effect adds a edginess to the
sound, this masthead is bright and picture and parted with the harsh
playful showing electro or dance music. lightning bolt on his face adds a cool
effect to the picture and a almost
The other sub headlines on the cover are superiority to how the view looks at the
all done in the same colour and don't person in the background. The cover has
The colours they use on
have any blue in them, this makes the made it so there are no stories next to his
each cover change per issue
headline stand out a lot more and makes face and very little being covered by the
which (much like Kerrang)
it bolder. The use of blue in the headline main title showing the view that the story
gives the editor freedom to
adds a extra colour to the cover and also inside is big, bold, rare and important and
be able to express different
connects it with the picture in the again adds to the effect of superiority to
genres/emotions and ways
background which also has blue in it. the person in the picture. The sub
of viewing the magazine to
This colour adds a outline and defines headlines are all in a very small font and
the customers. The colours
the main headline an also connects the use the same colour throughout, they
chosen in this issue show a
story below the main headline with the have balanced this out and added slightly
retro / electronic look to it
masthead as it says David Bowie is more attention to them by using buzz
which mixed with the black
editing the magazine and the blue is words such as “brilliant” and “mega” and
and white background
also used in the masthead, showing a having a story saying “brand new” which
image adds classiness to
connection between the story and the draws attention to it, making it more
give the impression of a
masthead and also the image in the equal to the headline which takes up the
older musician who does
background. majority of the page.
more retro style of music.

4. The masthead uses a 3D effect on it were The main image shows the viewer exactly
the first word is also pressed out of the what this magazine and this in particular
H. It also uses a similar effect to Kerrang issue of the magazine is all about. The
magazine giving the wording a cracked picture shows destruction and glass
look to give the impression of loud sound smashing everywhere with the lead singer
or people jumping at a gig. The of Disturbed. The expression he is making
masthead on this cover has a good in the picture (David Drayman) further
connection with the image as the connects the mast head with the image
cracking goes well with the cracked glass giving the impression of a loud noise
in the picture and connects the overall making the cracks in the writing and also
cover and brings it together. the cracked pieces of glass. These
connections all over the cover bring it
Metal Hammer commonly uses this style together and add a story to it despite the
of cover, having one image without a fact there is very minimal writing.
The colours they use are
main title and having a few band names generally white, red and
or sub titles at the top of the page. This black much like NME and The effect Metal Hammer have used on
is a very different style of layout for a Kerrang (minus the red). this cover using images instead of
metal magazine compared to others I’ve These colours are powerful writing have given them a limited
looked at as it uses a image to try and as they unlike NME are used approach to the amount of stories and
display the type of music and type of to portray information within the cover of this
story within the magazine all in one go. harshness, instead of magazine. This however does give a good
This effect of using a image adds to the mainly using one colour to effect if the magazine or issue is themed
magazine a lot as I think it makes it show calm or mystery, they on one story or it’s a themes issue on a
easier for the viewer to see what use the colours together to certain band or genre. This effect also
type/genre/emotion this issue of the create a harsh contrast and stops the viewer or consumer from being
magazine is trying to portray and this giving a also aggressive look able to look at the cover of the magazine
idea and way of laying out the cover which is matched with the and decide if they will like it or not
really supports the saying, a pictures aggressive looking cover straight away as they can’t really see or
speaks 1000 words photo. can only see part of it’s content.

5. The masthead is very bold and blocky. The main image shows lead singers of 5
Although it has been covered up the different bands together all sounding and
image has left the main recognisable creating a riot effect. The objects they’re
parts of each letter visible so you can still holding are associated with a riot and
read it, as well as the covering up of a threatening situations (baseball bat
masthead shows the success of a megaphone, smashed bottle) however
magazine and that it is already well this feel on the cover has been
known. The masthead also incorporates counteracted by the band members
the corporate image of white, grey and making funny faces on the cover. The
yellow which are used throughout the writing (main headline) has been placed
cover. right next to the megaphone which paired
with the cracked effect gives the
Rock Sound generally uses very ‘busy impression of a loud noise which is one of
looking covered normally having 3 or 4 the things the magazine is big on as it
The colours they use are
different pictures on the front, covering goes with their name ‘Rock Sound’.
different to most magazines
up the masthead and having a lot of as they use grey, white and
writing covering the image and listing yellow on almost all their The banner at the top of the page adds
band and article names. This issue shows covers. The grey and white more colour using images of bands
a busy main image with a lot of people are very similar looking showing what’s inside the magazine and
widely spread out within it, lists of band which adds a neutral tone freebies that you get. They’ve
names down the side with a highlighted to the writing but still highlighted the word “posters” which
title above them, a big bold main defines between the shows that they are a popular part of the
headline covering the background image different names and stories. magazine and might be a more
and more band names and headlines The yellow is used to prominent part in this issue e.g. Having
underneath it. This as well as the images highlight the titles, more, larger or rare posters. The banner
at the top of the page creates a busy competitions and also has in large writing band names and
cover with a lot of things happening at buzzwords on the cover underneath in smaller saying a short
once as well as a ‘loud’ appearance to it which add a brightness to it. version of what the story is about using
going with the magazine name. shocking, or interesting words.