Detailed Research into Forms and Conventions

I am covering the metal and rock genre and I have researched by looking at Kerrang, Metal Hammer and RockSound. I will also highlight sub genres such as Ska and Nu-metal. This sub genres are not well represented in the current magazines.

The magazines appeal to the audience firstly by targeting its specific genre, and covering bands in said genre. By covering bands and events popular with its audience, it instantly makes the reader want to read more. As there audience consists mainly of older teens, the magazines use appropriate language and by covering topics of interest to underachievers or hedonists. The title addresses the reader instantly, as they use the genre in the title, as well as related words to conjure a recognisable title. These titles reflect the audiences interests through the way the font and style in used. Usually, it seems the title is written in a scrawling fashion, or an informal rough handed approach. The text in general is used to contrast with the background, usually a dark font on a plain background. In various articles, depending on the background, the text is changed. Saying this, it is always kept readable. The font on titles is a more creative “rebellious” font, whereas the main body of text is a simple font such as Times New Roman. Articles are laid out sometimes in a “funky” way, or use slanted borders to produce the effect of them being placed carelessly.
The content covers the usual topics for a music magazine, which include reviews, interviews, previews, information about upcoming albums and live gigs. The cover story is usually a band that is currently popular, or releasing new material. This draws readers in and is also used to compete with other magazines using the genre. The magazines address the reader with both a rebellious attitude, and a professional one. This more “crazy” approach is only used when directly conversing with the audience, in the letters page for example. When covering a news story, or reviewing an album, a more professional style of writing is used. This shows that while the magazine is still rebellious, it takes its work seriously. Photographs also show this. While the are intending to show a more chaotic side, there is still a level of professionalism about them. The people represented are shown in a good light. Contents page is shown to be varied, but still readable. A typical double spread will also show signs of rebellion by having a varied layout, with lots of edgy borders around paragraphs. All the magazines are published by large publishing companies that own many magazines in several areas.

I conducted this research to see what current metal magazines cover, aswell as how they target their audience and compete with other magazines. I am going to challenge the current convention of these magazines by covering less popular sub-genres such as Ska or nu-metal. Other genres such as Hardcore and industrial music could also see coverage.