Media Coursework front page analysis

By Matt Mosey

“Bring me the horizon” is a bright yellow colour and is in contrast with the dark black colour behind it. This makes it stand out to the reader and makes sure that this is one of the first thing the reader reads on the page to attract readers who enjoy the band “ bring me the horizon". This simple bright coloured title instantly attract a specific target audience to which the magazine originally aims to attract and please (uses and gratifications 1979)

The title “Kerrang” is an onomatopoeia because it sounds like the noise a guitar would make. This excites the reader as they soon understand this magazines music genre and the general type of instruments that is normally used in the music that the magazine is about.

This magazine is advertising a article about a music festival (Download festival) that shows music the same as the magazine. This music festival brings rock music fans together into one community to discus and enjoy the music. The audience feel good to be part of a community and will proceed in attending the festival. If this magazine advertises it, the audience may relate this magazine to that feeling of being in a community (Uses and gratification) and buy the magazine more.

The centre graphic image is of a well known metal band. The band in the picture is also the same as the bold writing on the front of the page. The main lead singer of the band is slightly apart from the rest of the band. This is due to the high status “Ollie Sykes” has in the metal community and the fact that many regard him as an idol. Having his face in the main centre of the magazine cover will instantly attract many rock fans to idolise him. His tattoos and hair are some of the reasons why he is idolised and known by many people.

The magazine has a header which says that you can “ win”( the word win being in a blue graphic to express the point of the audience gaining something for free(U&G) a place at a rock music festival playing as your band. This encourages people to pick up a guitar and start there own band to experience the same life as there favourite rock idols, causing the rock community to grow.

The title “Access all areas” makes the reader feel special in that they can read information which is usually “classified” such as the studio report. This makes them feel as part of the rock team and will encourage them to continuously buy the magazine to reoccur this feeling of being part of something.(U&G)

“This time its personal” is a quote from the article which is quite full on and outrageous which attracts the gossip leaching readers. The quote also gives the reader a taste of what to expect from the interview

The dark clothes and intimidating looks (arms crossed) that the centre band give the audience gives a feeling of “ we mean business” which excites the audience. Matched with the quote” this time its personal” attracts the reader to read on into the magazine.

Big bold and rugged title represents the lifestyle of the rock community as being bold, outrageous, rugged and general rebellious.

The title “ Reader Pol” is on a banner in a royal style. Since the title is about the readers and it is in royal banner this compliments the readers and makes them feel above standard level. It also asks a rhetorical question to make the readers think about the question sub consciously as they beginning to read the rest of the magazine

It also has two pictures of bands that only true rock fans would know. This makes them feel knowledgeable and wise in the rock community since there is no title of the bands on by the picture(U&G)

The advertisement for free posters means that the audience feel an instant advantage in buying the magazine because there getting something for “free” this makes them feel god and that they got a bargain out of buying the magazine with free gifts (U&G)

Banner of article titles reveals what ells is in the magazine for the audience to enjoy. One of the titles being “Slipknot Destroy London” the word “Destroy” connotes violence and havoc among the band and what they stand for. This general violent and rebellious attitude reflects the community morals of the rock community, if the audience is attracted to this subculture they will read on to feel part of it.(U&G)

The main title in the centre of the page advertises a specific band that follows the same music genre as the magazine. For fans of this band this magazine will be an instant attraction. Below the main title the sub title reads “ Fame, Freak-Outs and Fatherhood” this is a tricolon which gives the sense of power of three and a impact of the reader that this is interesting.

The main centre picture is the band “Fall Out Boy". The band are styled to represents the general style of the music genre. This creates an understanding between the reader and the magazine of what the norm is for “rockers”.

The title is covered a bit by the head of the centre picture. This reinstates the informality of the magazine and the general lifestyle of the readers.

The explanation mark reminds the reader that the tile is said loud to remind the reader of the loud lifestyle that rock portrays.

Mode Of Address-The MOA in this front cover relates to the lifestyle that rock culture portrays, for example with the term “Bulls hitters” which is shocking to people who don’t perhaps understand the language of the rock culture. However, to people who follow this genre of music they understand that this language is normal and makes them comfortable reading the magazine. This creates a relationship between the reader and the magazine which leads to the audience relating the magazine to comfort.(U&G)

The fiery affect around the whole front cover gives a sense of destruction and anarchy. The reinstates the general lifestyle of the rock community as being crazy and general rock sub-culture.

The title main band is “Architects". The band title is on fire which suggest that the band is “On Fire” in general colloquial terms this means that the band is doing well and successful. If the audience understand this along with the fact the fire suggest rebellion, they will be attracted to the general news that a rock band is being successful.

Around the main title and centre graphic image there are lots of references to the fact that the page is on fire. For example the “Hot list 2011” . The sub-title of “Hot list” makes the reader want to read more into the general idea of a “hot list” and to see what bands are doing well and which bands aren't. This extended there knowledge about the rock industry(U&G)

The reference to rock festivals attracts the reader to attended to join and increase the rock community and to be part of something. (U&G)

The advertisement of free mechanise (CD’s) attracts the reader because they feel there getting something eels out of a magazine than usually. They are also attracted because it makes them feel more like a fan if they have more merchandise, Meaning they are more involved in the rock community.

The article quotes says that the more people we have the stronger we will become. This talks as if they are an army that need more soldiers. In this case more soldiers of the rock community and to spread to power of the music.

PUG- stands out due to its colour and contrast to the rest of the magazine colour scheme. The general intention of it also attracts the reader knowing that they can “Win” a guitar. The rock community come together with the music that they play, therefore people will be invited to join the competition.

The small PUG reading “Danger Danger” reminds the reader that this is “Hot Stuff” and should be read with general enjoyment.

The centre graphic image of Sam Carter (lead singer of architects) is unwelcoming and dirty this may be the general view of many people who aren't familiar with the rock culture

Other band names to show the reader what bands this magazine talks about

The main centre picture is a picture of man in a straight jacket, This connotes a literally crazy lifestyle and that the rock genre is so dangerous it has to be detained. However, the colour of the straight jacket is white which could connote that really he is innocent.

Many of the sub titles are different colours to the main titles this is to make sure that they stand out to the reader to give the reader a little bit more incite into what the reader will experience if they buy the magazine.

The front on the magazine is bold and jiggered which connotes a informal style. The informal style also reads “ fights , drugs , prison” which generally are connoted to be bad, and rebellious which is the lifestyle the magazine connotes.

One of the article talk about a band splitting up. This will give the reader knowledge about the current rock world and therefore will make them feel more wise (U&G)

The swear words connote a MOD that is rocker, rebellious, against society. This MOD attracts the reader and makes them feel comfortable(U&G).

The title “Metal Hammer” is designed in a way to conform to the norms of a rock magazine. The tile is dark with one edge of the H in hammer being used to spell “Metal". This is informal and against the norms of normal society. Therefore it attracts the readers as it relates to the type of music that the audience enjoy.

The front colour being Red and Black contrast with the background being white. This makes it easy to read and to understand.

The main title “Children of BoDom” is right next to the mans face in the picture. This connotes that the title is in your face and load in its voice.

The name Hammer is also usually represented as violent and angry which connotes that atmosphea in the magazine.

The sub-title “ the naked truth” with naked underlined suggests that the article is about someone being embarrassed abut them being naked at some point. Followed by the word truth means that they are realising the information to the public, however, the fact that the front is in hand writing suggests that this was not suppose to be known by the public and it personal( as is the hand writing) to the specific person.

The lead singer of linked park looking like he is shouting shows that he is angry and emotional about something. This matched with the quote “this time its personal” connotes that he is going to make angry emotion new songs relating to something he is upset about.

The graphic of the page being torn suggests that to read about this particular article you must turn inside to read on.

The red glow around the body of the man reinstates his anger.

The main title “Linkin Park” is of a contrast colour to the background and it bold and large in the centre of the page. This means it is the first thing the reader is going to see when they pick it up. For fans of Linkin Park this magazine will be an instant appeal.

The title “You Me At Six” looks as if it’s on a sign post. Audience may see the sign pot look alike and feel to be inclined to follow the sign post to read the article and extended there knowledge of rock culture and the bands U&G.

The top if the page which is also is key eyesight for the reader shows the opportunity to access free merchandise (posters) this attracts the audience and makes them believe they are getting more out the magazine.

PUG- with article picture and title about a band making a statement. This could interest readers who enjoy this band in particular or readers who wish to extended there knowledge of that bad (U&G)

The title of the band and the name of the lead singer are in the same font. This instantly teaches the reader the band lead singers name increasing the knowledge (U&G)