Masthead
The
masthead is large, white and clear which contrasts the dark colours linked to
heavy metal. The masthead is positioned at the top of the cover and takes up a
good proportion of the magazine which allows it to be clearly visible to the
reader. The masthead is written in a sharp edgy Sans Serif font which links to
the heavy metal theme, this also allows for it to be easily distinguished from
other magazines which will result in it been easily recognisable in the shop.
The masthead is behind the models head which indicates how he is more important
than the magazine company itself. The masthead also has the word metal included
inside it, this could be to represent that they have heavy 'metal' inside them
which shows a bond between the company and the music. The masthead is in the exact same place throughout each magazine which allows it to be something the reader can look out for.Image
The image is
of a man named Lars Mikael Åkerfeldt, he is the
main guitarist of a band called Opeth. He takes up the whole front
cover and he is directly in the centre as he is the centre
of attention in the magazine. His hair is also slightly curly which
has been traditionally linked to the devil. This theme links to the theme
of darkness which links to heavy metal which is what the magazine mainly
includes information about. The
background incorporates explosions and also shows Lars Mikael Åkerfeldt
with black wings, this links to what Richard Dyre said "A star is an
image, not a real person, that is constructed.Font
There
are 2 main fonts used, Sans Serif (Masthead,) and Serif (Band name). The
masthead is big and bold with the
H & R written with a sharp point to give
an edgy look. The masthead's font is very large and bold which stands out to the
reader the masthead is also written in white which contrasts massively to the
dark colours linked to heavy rock. The name of the band uses a serif font and
this is because this is how the band represents themselves as their logo is
written like this. The masthead and band name re the largest as they are the
most important aspects of the magazine and they want the reader to look at
these first the writing of the band name shows that the band is quite a classic
one, the band itself has been around since the 1990's.
H & R written with a sharp point to give
an edgy look. The masthead's font is very large and bold which stands out to the
reader the masthead is also written in white which contrasts massively to the
dark colours linked to heavy rock. The name of the band uses a serif font and
this is because this is how the band represents themselves as their logo is
written like this. The masthead and band name re the largest as they are the
most important aspects of the magazine and they want the reader to look at
these first the writing of the band name shows that the band is quite a classic
one, the band itself has been around since the 1990's.
Analysis of whole front cover
There is only one main story and only one feature story on the front cover. By doing this Metal Hammer are breaking a convention which makes them come across as rebellious to the reader, this theme also links to the theme of what their magazine is about (Heavy metal) as this genre of music is based around being yourself sometimes in a rebellious way. I feel that their target audience would be males that are 40+ however I also feel a lot of male teens (15 - 19) are becoming increasingly involved with this genre.
There is an interviewee slogan on the front this gives a direct relationship between the reader and Lars Mikael Åkerfeldt.
The magazine follows a very rebellious and hardcore rock theme in the sense that all the writing for the cover lines are all written in an edgy text.
2] Male Orientated.
3] Profanities.
4] Rebellious against conventions.
5] Explosions.
Well done, Sam, a good first analysis. To improve: add cutaways, analysis of codes and conventions and explain your points on how this research informed your research and planning.
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