Front cover analysis - Kerrang

The main image on the front cover of this issue of ‘Kerrang’ magazine is a medium shot of a male band member Dir En grey. The fact that he is topless with only a leather jacket on may subvert the stereotypical audience of this magazine, as it usually attracts males. With this look woman may be attracted to the front cover image, which then would persuade them to also buy the magazine as well as the usual male audience. He is also wearing a miserable looking expression which associates with the hard, scary image this genre and magazine are represented with but also engages the audience with the mysterious eye contact that is given.
There is a very distinct colour scheme presented on the front cover, which are grey, white, red, gold and black. The background is grey which not only combines with the main images name ‘Dir En Grey’, also making his image stands out, but gives extra effect to the dull and darkness of this genre. Contrasting this is the bright white large font of the magazine title and main feature placed in the centre of the front cover. The majority of the text on the front cover is written a ‘sans serif’ font, giving the magazine a more modern and less formal image. ‘Kerrang’ is probably the most well known rock magazine in the world and with it being so well known the title of the magazine is placed in the usual place at the top of the page but is mostly covered up by the image. This shows that the even though the title of the magazine is not fully shown it is still bought and recognised worldwide because of its popularity.
Although there is one main image, there are two other images on both the left and right hand side at the bottom of the magazine cover that also attracts attention to the audience. The lexical choice of words used on this magazine cover also helps connect with the audience, such as using well known clichéd phrases like ‘blood sweat and tears’ but changing it to ‘blood sweat and beers’. Also using words like ‘untold story’ making the story seem a secret and exclusive to Kerrang readers. There is also advertisement for free merchandise, which would persuade readers to buy the magazine. There is also a logo for gig sponsors, which is there as the target audience for the magazine are normally linked to going to a variety of different gigs.
Using the codes and conventions the usual price and barcode is printed on the front cover, in this case on the bottom right hand side.
From analysing this magazine cover, I think I will incorporate a similar colour scheme as it makes the magazine have a professional look about it.