Rock Magazine Analysis Breakdown

Magazine Research
by Victor Chi-Chung Chan

Classic Rock
Published by Future Plc
• Circulation (2010): 71,242
• Readership(2010): 149,608
• Target Reader: 35+ Affluent Informed
Influential Men, many of whom are
entering a lifestage when they are
regaining their wallets, freedom and
teen spirit
• Sharing :
- news, views, in-depth features and
exclusive interviews with the rock
celebrities of all time
- tour dates, retrospectives, the
hottest newcomers, backstage stories
and reviews section

Metal Hammer
Published by Future Plc
• Circulation (Jan-Dec 09): 41,777
• Readership: 91,909
• Monthly magazine
• Target reader: the notoriously
unobtainable young male audience
• Covers both traditional and
contemporary bands in different
genres, like metal, punk
• Reporting:
- the burgeoning British scene
- latest bands around the world
- comprehensive news and reviews
sections
- interviews with rising stars

NME
Published by IPC Media
• Circulation (Jan-Dec 09): 41,777
• Readership: 91,909
• Target reader: the notoriously
unobtainable young male audience
contemporary bands in different
genres, like metal, punk
• Reporting:
- the burgeoning British scene
- latest bands around the world
- comprehensive news and reviews
sections
- interviews with rising stars

Q
Published by Bauer Media
• Circulation (Jan-Jun 10): 89,450
• Readership (Jan-Jun 10): 550,000
• Median age of reader: 29
• Mission:
- guide readers through just the good
stuff in all forms of music each month
via its unparalleled access

Kerrang!
• Weekly magazine
contemporary bands in different genres
of rock music – from emo to thrash, etc
• Mission:
- focus on the things that are going on
in our world each week
- provide for our readers’ need for
variety and their passionate appetite
- introduce new music

Mojo
• Mission:
- deliver a monthly dose of world class
journalism and iconic photography
- provides a “hand-made” experience
in a mass market environment

Plug:
A big font size - “Free CD” in orange tag at the top-left
corner, it even covers part of the magazine logo. It totally
draws audience’s attention. Audience would like to have
free music from this magazine as they don't need to pay
extra.
Main image + Sub Image:
Two images of these celebrities shows them two are the
cover story of this issue. They both are wearing sunglasses
so the connection between them is shown. But Slash’s
image is much bigger than the one on the left, it means
Slash dominates the band and the whole situation about
their split.
Headline:
Revealing the cover story with a large font size - “You’re
fired!” to attract audience forwards to the story behind the
news. It also uses ‘revealed!’ to describe this news, to
emphasise this news is hot.
Language:
Informal language used for the headline. Readers can
directly feel the conflict of their split. They can tell from the
headline that their split is not peaceful but angry, by the
emotion of it ‘You’re fired!’, which provides an rude feeling
to everyone.
Feature List:
From the list under the headline, there are many bands’
name mentioned. It means other bands will be introduced
or reviewed in the articles of this issue. It provides more
information about what’s involved in this issue. Audience
can consider should they buy this issue according to the
list whether it has any band they are interested.

Masthead:
Only this can tell what’s this magazine. Otherwise
audience would never buy a magazine which they don't
know what’s it.
Font:
The size of the font implies the importance of the articles,
the larger title the more important. It also draws audience’s
first sight on it. Audience can read the cover story at the
very first moment when they look at the cover.
But the colours of the font are not variable, the font colours
are mainly white and yellow. So the factor to attract
audience’s attention relies on the font size.
Kicker:
There are band’s titles and a brief comment below, which
encourages the audience to read the reviews in order to
know how’s their new music.
Sub Image:
The image to illustrate the side story. It has a sad
expression with a black-and-white image. Also he is
wearing sunglasses and only half of his face is captured,
as if he doesn't want to connect people. Audience can feel
the sadness even without looking at the sub heading.
Sub Heading:
Another story which may attract audience want to buy. This
sub heading simulates how Weiland thinks. It doesn't reveal
all the things in the sub heading but leaving ellipsis, waiting
audience to know the story when they have bought it.
Barcode:
To avoid there is any fake copy of this magazine. To the
audience, it gives them confidence about the authority
from this publish company.

Blocking:
Three pictures on the left are group photos of the bands.
The members are lined up so a message is sent to the
readers which the people in the photo are a team. They
are acting casual, as if they don't notice the camera.
Mise-en-Scene:
The top one is a studio shoot, compared to the two below,
this one is more decorated so the message can be
expressed clearly. The words on the background implies
the theme of their music.
Camerawork:
Medium long shot and long shot are used for these three
photos. Those are kind of typical group photos because
audience can see their costumes, and they are all
looking at the camera directly.
Captions:
Questions are used for the brief descriptions of the articles.
Audience would not know what is it about until they turn to
the page of these articles. It encourages audience to think
and discover more about the bands instead of providing
them impressions directly.
Costume:
‘Deep Purple’ are dressing old-fashioned, such as bell-bottom
pants and tight shirts, which means it has been a
long time since this band was founded.
Colour scheme:
The has no a certain colour adapted the most because
most the page is white. It provides a simple style of this
contents page. The colours are mainly red, black and
white as the background, only the images’ colours are
distracted as the themes of the images are not constant.

Magazine Logo:
It is placed in the middle and the top of the page because
the magazine’s name is important. Also highlighted as a
red font colour. It can be seen obviously by the audience.
Even the size of this logo is not large, but it is still enough
to let audience notice the name of it.
Sub Images:
The images in this page are about the bands/musicians
introduced in this issue. The size of them are almost equal
which means they all are important in this issue. Plus
there’s no main image in page, only the images would
attract audience’s attention first but none of them
dominates the page.
Layout:
Large photos are used for the focused stories. Pictures
can draw audience’s attention at the very first moment
instead of the words. The images are put on the left and
the top, which audience would look at the page from top-left
to bottom-right, so it helps audience would at the
images first then at the words on the list.
List of contents:
A typical list of the articles or review included in this
magazine. Pages of the articles placed on the left with
red font. It is convenient for the audience to see where
the pages are. This list is placed at the bottom-right of
this page without any pictures so it’s reckoned not so
important than the articles with sub images.
Sub Heading:
It uses a bigger font size for the titles and a smaller font
size for the brief description of the articles.

Banner:
A banner with a ‘Q&A’ sign, showing
this section is interview. Also the font
style of it is mild, providing a
comfortable tone, like the genre of
his music, to the audience.
The banner is placed on the top of
the page, it frames the text below to
imply that all the text below this
banner is ‘Q&A’ section.
Introduction:
A brief sentence introduces what’s this
interview about, such as the genre of
this artist - blues, who will cooperate
with Glenn Hughs. Also it mentions
Joe’s new project is inspired by plant,
that’s why the colour scheme is yellow
green. This introduction provides all the
basic information of this interview so
audience can decide whether to read it
by this introduction.
Font:
The first alphabet of the first
paragraph is usually in a super
large font so it will not be
confusing to the audience where
should they start reading.
For the questions, the questions
are highlighted in bold font, so the
audience can look at the
questions quickly.
Layout:
The main image and the text are separated.
This is a typical separation so audience will
not be confused as the text does not dissolve
into the image.
The text section is also cut in half by a line in
the middle, the audience will know they
should read from the left column first.
Interview:
This article directly quotes what
did Joe speak in this
conversation. So there won’t be
any misunderstanding from the
reporter. Also audience can
easily imagine how was his
emotion (if there’s any) when Joe
was speaking. It provides an
intimate image to audience as if
they are actually witnessing the
interview.

Background:
The background of this image is
the reflection of Joe’s back. As if
audience can see all the sides of
Joe, understanding him. It is not
decorated much but using a wall
with reflective texture, so the
audience will not be distracted by
the colours or decoration of the
background as Joe is dressing
casual.
The left of the background tends
dark and the right is bright.
Because the left side of the image
next to the text, so the darkness
would make the background look
dissolving into the text.
Main image:
This is obviously the main image
as there is only one picture in this
double page spread. The main
image dominates the page so the
person in this picture must be the
one who is introduced in this
article.
15
Props:
Audience will look at the image first before
they start reading the article. A guitar is
being held by Joe so it illustrates his
identity as a guitarist clearly.
Costume:
Joe’s dressing casual which fits his music
because classic rock is also seen as the main,
stereotypical kind of rock. This means that it is
not very vibrant and different, it is “casual” rock.
Colour scheme:
The whole page tends
to yellow/ warm colour
tone. Providing a
fresh, natural, soft and
comfortable image of
this young artist.
Lighting:
The main light comes from
the left side of Joe, plus the
background is reflective so it
is the back light as well. It
creates a sense of Joe like a
three-dimensional subject to
audience.
Quote:
It quotes directly from the
celebrity without any
interpretation by the
reporter. So the audience
will know how he regards
music as enjoyment instead
of only a job.

Masthead:
Using gold font to fit the whole tone, which is dark,
mysterious and evil.
Mise-en-scene:
They dress in black, anti-christ and gothic costume
matches the theme of this cover. It tells audience what
are their music about, this powerful impression is shown
to the readers. But we can see a bit different between
them, the middle one - Tony Iommi in Black Sabbath, he
doesn't dress like a devil like the two standing next to
him do. So we can tell his music is not extreme as their
music, even though they all play metal.
Quote:
The quote from the celebrity so audience would know
what is their music about. It is directly told by the
musician so the message is clearer. The quote is placed
next to King Diamond, so it is obviously quoted from him
even it is not specified.
Camerawork:
Medium close-up for them three so their makeup can be
seen detailedly. The makeup is their symbol so they
chose medium close-ups for them then we can see the
makeup more.
Plug:
There is a promotion of a contest, about a chance to win
VIP tickets by buying this magazine. It does encourage
audience to buy. Especially the ‘WIN!’ is much larger than
other words and in colour gold. It draws attention on this
word.
Colour scheme:
Mainly black and gold, creates a tone of evil, dark and
gothic image to the audience.

Props:
Tony Iommi is holding a guitar in his hand, it simply tells
Tony is a guitarist in his band. Papa Emeritus II in Ghost
is wearing a Roman Catholic pope hat and holding a
cross. The pattern on his hat is an up-side-down cross, it
is an insult to Catholic, the theme of this band is
obviously anti-christ.
Main image:
Three of them are looking at the camera directly
which is called ‘direct address’. They don’t look
happy or friendly but angry and evil. They want
the audience fear them as their music is horrible.
Band’s titles:
The band’s/artists’ names are introduced in the
centre of this front cover. The names are placed
just below the images of each member. Audience
would know what bands do they belong to. Black
Sabbath’s name much larger than King Diamond
and Ghost, it tells Black Sabbath is the domain of
this cover, as the popularity of this band is much
bigger.
Motifs (Anti-Christ):
There are many symbols to emphasise their anti-christ idea
on this cover. There are invented crosses and inverted
pentagrams to imply this message.
Barcode:
The barcode at the bottom-right corner which doesn't affect
the layout of the cover but also visible for audience looking
at the price and the date of the issue. It is easily for them
to scan the barcode as well.

Magazine cover:
Refers to the cover of
this issue.
Number of issue:
The number is clearly stated
in the contents page.
Contents list:
The left side of the page is
the list of the contents.
Audience can look for the
articles according to what
they like.
Layout:
The whole page’s showing
different categories of
contents , such as review,
editor’s speaks, so readers
can identify the articles
easily.
Sub Images:
Bands and musicians in
the images refer to the
articles so audience can
easily recognise the
bands they are looking for.
Mise-en-scene (Modeling):
In the first one, their pose are
calm and firm to express the
high and respectable status
they have.
They rest of them look young
and wild, which shows the
contrast of different
generation and popularity.
Colour Scheme:
The colour tone tends dark
to provide an impression
of evil, hell, burning.
Font Style:
A gothic font is used for
the sub headings. This
historical font fits the tone
of metal.
Lighting:
The top one uses low-key
lighting which the fill light
tends dark so the characters
look mysterious.
Another one uses a warmer
colour tone(red) as if they
come from hell.
Mise-en-scene(Costume,
props):
They are representing an
image of war and destruction
by dressing like soldiers and
holding guns.

Direct Address:
Jill’s looking at the
camera directly,
putting her hands
framing her head
as if she’s mind-talking
to the
20
Band name:
The band title
marked at the
corner of the
page. So
audience can
easily look for
this article.
Magazine’s website:
There’s a website link next to the
page number so audience know
more about this magazine in
their website.
Main Image:
Jill Janus, The female vocalist of the
band dominates a whole page. The
article is probably focused on her.
Colour Scheme:
Red and black are the
main colours adopted in
this page. It expresses an
impression of darkness,
blood and death.
audience.
Props and
costume:
Jill’s hands are full
of blood, wearing a
cape. It provides
an image of evil to
the audience. She
also dresses sexy
which attracts male
audience to read.
Camerawork:
Medium shot is used to
show her clothing. It fits
the whole page so her
costume and facial
expression can be
precisely shown.
Language:
The first alpha-bet
is ‘I’ with a
super large font.
So audience will
know where is
the start of the
article and this
article is from
her first person
perspective.
Introduction:
A brief introduction about Jill above the title, it
provides some basic information before the
audience read it.
Font style &
colour:
The text uses
normal font in
white but the
other text
usually uses
special font
style in red.
Corner border:
A gothic border is
used to fill the
page the page.
So the corner of
the page won't be
empty.
Title:
‘HUNT OR BE HUNTED’, it
matches the band’s name -
Huntress, expresses the name
with a sense of hunting/killing.

Masthead:
The title is like broken, crashed, matches the rebellious
image of this band and the image of ‘KERRANG!’. It
attracts the young readers (median age: 22) to read.
Main Image:
The image obviously is the band called ‘Avenged
Sevenfold’, as the group photo of them dominates the
cover from the top to the bottom. It directly suggests this
band is the cover story in this issue they want to introduce.
Headline:
The title refers to the main image on the cover. It’s not only
introducing the band’s title, but also providing an
impression to the audience by using the caption - ‘sex,
drugs and violence… The world’s most dangerous band’.
The band’s name is in the largest font size on this page,
which emphasises the importance of them. Also the font
colour in white which has a contrast to the warm-colour
tone subjects around it. Audience will look at their name
first instinctively.
Plug:
Two free posters included in this issue is absolutely an
attraction to audience that they can get a direct benefit
from this magazine would make them think it’s worth
buying it. The sign ‘FREE’ is highlighted as red which is
another eye-catching colour similar to the warm colour
tone on this page but it doesn't steal audience attention
from the headline at the same time.
Font Colour:
This cover’s font uses different colours to highlight the
sections in this issue. The colours tend to warm to fit the
whole tone of both the cover page and main image.

Colour Scheme:
A warm colour tone is used for the whole cover page
including the main image and the font. Giving an
impression of fire and burning to fit the cover story band
as if they came form hell.
Mise-en-scene:
Most of them are wearing leather jackets, jeans and
sunglasses which is viewed as biker-costumes, M.
Shadow (one in the middle) is even holding a chain as a
props, a symbol of danger, destruction and rebel has
been made to the audience.
Camerawork:
High angle to the band. Most of them are shot in long
shot, but half of their bodies are covered by the headings,
so only up from their chests would be noticed. So their
costumes and facial expressions can easily be seen.
Blocking:
There must be someone has the highest popularity in a
band, which can be told by the blocking on the cover
page. In this cover, the vocalist of this band - M. Shadow
is standing right in the middle which is dominating the
frame. Rest of the members are standing behind him as if
he is the boss.
Sub Heading:
It’s placed near the bottom-right of the cover to
introduce what articles or interviews are included. The
font size of them is small relatively, as the importance is
less than the cover story. But they still use red for the
font to draw audience’s attention.
23
Date line and price:
The price is only £1.99 which is cheaper than the
other similar music magazine relatively. One of the
reasons is the target audience is young, the
purchasing power is not strong as the older adults.

Content list:
The list is not ordered by the
pages but the categories
instead. So audience can
search what they want to
read quickly according to the
categories.
Font colour:
They used different colours to
categorise the titles, page
number and description.
But not many colours are
adopted. There are only red ,
yellow and black are used, so
it won’t be distracting but it will
also be clearly displayed.
Colour scheme 2:
The black bars behind the
yellow sub-headings on the
white background have colour
contrast so it absolutely draws
audience’s attention.
24
Magazine Logo:
The logo is on the top of the
page so it is clear to show what
magazine is it.
Date and number of issue:
It records what contents is in
this issue
Sub Image:
Most members are not
looking at the camera
looking arrogant, creating a
‘cool’ image.
Also they’re wearing leather
jackets and sun glasses so
Plug:
Using a sign ‘WIN!’ with sharp
colours to attract audience’s
attention on the competition.
Promotion of a product:
This is competition by
answering one simple
question to win a pair of
shoes. Audience would
like to join this.
Colour scheme:
The colours are mainly in
red and black, which
matches the colours of the
prize(the shoes below).
The editor’s note:
It refers to the contents of this
issue in a comedic way so
the audience won’t miss
anything such as the price of
the competition and the tour.
Promotion:
Not every reader has
subscribed KERRANG!, so it
is a promotion to the
audience so they can
receive every issue of this
magazine with a lower price.

25
Heading:
The heading of this article is a quote from one of
the members - Frank Iero. It clearly states what do
this band think and their direction towards music.
Audience can directly understand what is this
article about. It also uses red font so the statement
looks powerful, matches how rebellious they are.
Logo:
Due to this article is about their new
album at that time. This logo
appears on their new album cover
as well. Choosing this ‘spider’ as
the symbol of them would provide
an image which makes audience
think of them, also their new album,
immediately.
By placing it at the top-left corner of
the page, audience will look from
this logo first before they start
reading this article.
Text box:
The text box’s colour of this article is
black, it makes a large contrast of the
colours, since the background of this
page and the font are white. So the
text box is in black can absolutely
make the white font visible. Audience
can easily read the words and won’t
get lost or distracted by any colour
overlapping.
Page number:
The page number marked at the
bottom-left corner in an extremely
small font size which audience can
barely see it. It helps audience search
for this page but it does not affect
them reading at the same time.
Language:
It article’s language style is quite simple
and informal. As the characteristic of
this band is rebel, so it tries not to use
difficult words or elegant otherwise the
tone doesn't match.
Magazine name:
There is the magazine’s name placed next to the
page number. Audience know what magazine are
they reading actually, but the name is still needed to
be marked like a signature. Even people copy this
page they still can prove this page belongs to them.
Notice:
At the end of this article, it keeps emphasising their interview to this
band is not complete, such as ‘To be continued’, ‘Don’t miss next
week’s KERRANG!’. They uses a larger font size or even different
colour for it to draw audience attention. To remind them to buy their
next issue so they can catch up what the rest of the interview is about.

Lighting:
the whole lighting of this page is
bright, it shines on their whole
body so audience clearly see
their costume.
It also provides an bright image
of this band to audience.
Costume:
Their costumes are variable in
colours, each member does not
only have one colour on their
clothes. They are full of vitality.
Especially the one wearing blue
with red hair among them
dresses so different. It helps
audience identity he’s ‘the man’,
the unique one, probably the
leader in this band.
His red hair also tells us the rebel
of them. Like the heading
mentions ‘rebelling’ in red, so his
hair colour matches the heading.
Blocking:
Only the one in blue, his body is fully
visible, rest of the members have part of
their body covered. It tells who’s the most
popular one to the listeners. The popular
one dominates the page.
Also they are standing close to each
other but never try to touch or connect
the other members. As they are making a
rebellious image that’s why they are
playing ‘cool’.
26
Motifs (animals):
There are many representations of
animals appeared in this page. Like
the logo (spider) at the top-left
corner, the spider web tattoo on
Frank Iero’s right hand, Tiger skin
patterns on Mikey Way’s shirt and
the badges (bee, pegasus) on their
jackets.
It implies them are like animals, can
be wild, which matches their
rebellious image. They are sharing
‘animals’ as motifs but everyone of
them is carrying different animal on
their clothes. So each member has
his own personality but they are in
the same team.

Rock Magazine Analysis Breakdown

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Rock Magazine Analysis Breakdown