Kerrang

Genre: Music

Editor: James McMahon

Frequency: Weekly

Publisher: Bauer Media Group

Founder: Alan Lewis

First issue: 6 June 1981

Country: UK

Based in: London

Language: English

Website: kerrang.com

Total Circulation (June 2013): 37,603

Bauer Media GroupThe Bauer Media Group is a media company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany which operates in 16 countries worldwide. Since the company was founded in 1875, it has been privately owned and under management by the Bauer family. Worldwide circulation of Bauer Media Group's magazine titles amounts to 38 million magazines a week.

The HistoryKerrang was first published on 6 June 1981 as a one time supplement in the ‘Sounds’ newspaper. This first issue was editedby Geoff Barton and included Angus Young of AC/DC on the frontcover. Launched as a monthly magazine, Kerrang began to appearon a fortnightly basis later, and in 1987 it went weekly. The original owner was United Newspapers who then sold it to EMAP in 1991. Kerrang’s popularity rose again with the hiring ofeditor Paul Rees circa 2000 when the nu metal genre, featuring bands like Limp Bizkit and Slipknot were becoming more popular.Ashley Bird took over as editor in 2003, but after a decline in sales, Paul Brannigan took over as editor in May 2005. In 2008, EMAP the magazine to the Bauer Media Group and Branniganleft. In 2009, Nichola Browne was appointed editor but shortly stepped down, leaving the job to James McMahon.

The Covers…Kerrang’s content is aimed at anyone who is strongly into music, especially hard rock and metal, and the front cover is very clearly targeted at these people. The covers always include images of bands or other artists who produce music of this genre such as Nirvana, Slipknot, Trivium and Enter Shikari, making it stand out to fans of this material.

The Content…IMAGESLike the front cover, Kerrang includes multiple images of bands or artists who are linked to the heavy rock and metal genre. The magazine also usually includes multiple posters for the reader.

INTERVIEWSKerrang is always packed full of interviews with band members or other artists. Previous interviews have been with You Me at Six, Hayley Williams and Bullet For My Valentine.

BAND NEWSKerrang includes any band or artist news that the week brings such as rumoured splits. They also have announcements and rumours about upcoming band or artist tours in the UK.

FONT AND COLOUR SCHEMESThe magazine always includes the signature ‘Kerrang!’ logo and this is always either in a red or a grey/white colour. The front cover text is nearly always in a big and bold font that makes it stand out. Many of Kerrang’s front covers include a mix of dark and bright colours that contrast well to give the magazine a successful appearance.

MODELSThe covers of Kerrang include pictures of either bands, band members or solo artists that present the genres of music that Kerrang focuses on. A lot of the time, these are tattooed males or females and fit the ‘punk rock’ image.