There a numerous codes and conventions of the metal rock music genre conveyed within in this music magazine cover of Kerrang!, a magazine which specialises in metal music. The theme colours black and white are code for and are related to the gothic cult which shares many aspects of metal music, which is clearly evident on this cover through other codes such as the artists amount of heavy black eye make-up. This heavy eye make-up is out of the ordinary for men and holds a sense of rebellion; however this is not for the genre and is part of the gothic style and image. As the eye make-up rings around his eyes it focuses the audience’s attention on his sincere serious look which is not common in pop magazines such as 'Top of the Pops', however as a close-up of the artist is used this draws the attention to his sincerity attracting fans of the music who are intrigued by his deep emotion. The smoke coming out of his mouth could just show the rebellion within the music as it could be decoded as if he is exhaling from a draw of a cigarette. However this is representing him as devil like exhaling and breathing smoke from hell, another aspect which adds to the idea of him being devil like are his black deep eyes showing no emotion. An addition been his trimmed black beard and moustache commonly related to caricatures of the devil. The word ‘resurrection’ is also present on the cover a complete juxtaposition to the devil imagery being used, as resurrection is a religious reference of god, and this music is far from holy. The font styles used are also code for the genre of metal music. The font used for ‘HIM’ is very gothic as the letters are sharp the opposite of round bubble writing used for the pop genre. The font used for ‘Kerrang!’ is black bold and heavy like the eye make-up on the artist, also is has an effect as if it has been smashed or cracked due to loud heavy noise. The title ‘Kerrang!’ is onomatopoeia for guitar and drum sounds which are part of the music genre. The slogan with it ‘Life is loud’ summarises the music within the magazine.
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
The target audience of young girls aged between 7-13 years is clearly established through the codes used within this front cover of ‘Top of the pops’ magazine. Firstly the cover is eye-catching by the use of the colour pink which is predominately used with on the cover. This colour is always associated with young girls as it is very feminine and girly. The target audience is also established through the vocabulary used for example ‘Kiss and Tell’ and ‘Fashion Bargains from just £2’, this highlights the psychographics as shopping at a low price is keen for young girls, and also ‘Kiss and Tell’ is a part of a girl growing up. Acronyms such as ‘OMG’ is used this highlights the education of the audience, as the use of this type of communication is used within the youth to reflect a certain expression of surprise and shock. Also the stars on the cover are related to young teens as they are members of pop bands or from the cast of a film ‘High School Musical 2’ which has a clear association with the target audience. Every person on the cover are smiling and have warming body language, which is welcoming and is a convention of pop music. Also there is a high of puffs and straplines on this cover, this codes that the magazine is full of fun topics for the audience to enjoy.
Rolling Stone
Unlinke the other magazines analysed (Kerrang! and Top of the Pops), this magazine cover focuses on the cover artists/bands image to sell the issue of the magazine, as this does so it makes the covers iconic. The image constructed of the band Blink-182 is a rock band that do not take themselves seriously and fool around. This is constructed through the codes of their body language, facial expressions, costumes and the band members importance is reflected through the postioning of the band. Their body language in this image reflects that they are fooling around, but still has an esscence of rock and roll by their stance. Each member is pulling a comic expression, this is code for that they are comedians. Also that they are not interested in looking good as a band as this is not imporatant to them. All the members are topless revealing their chests this is a sign of masculinity, it is also a joke within itself as they are to be seen as some sort of sex icon however they are reflecting the opposit.As the members are topless they are revealing their chest tatoo's this also highlights their masculinity, it is also code for their rock and roll image. 'The half naked truth' this is relfected through the costume, or lack of, choice. Their low baggy trousers reveal their pants and is connected to their 'sex icon' image and is a parody of other stars who have been famously known featuring on the cover in just their lingerie. Each member has a piercing on show reflecting their rebel image, this is also coded through their hair as it is long and messy coding that they are not clean cut like other bands. The conventional magazine title is positioned behind the band, this suggests that the magazine is so well known that the whole title does not need to be seen as this style is widely recognised. Other codes to show that the bands image sells that magazine and not the codes of the magazine itself as it does not reach out to the audience through different colours and fonts.
Conventions
As the codes construct the image of the magazine through the body language of the artist/band, costume, font style etc. There are many conventions of the music magazine cover:
- Title of the magazine
- Bar Code and date
- Puffs
- Main image of the artist/band
- Images of the content
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