Masthead Skyline

Cover Lines

Main Image

Lead Article

The Left Third

Metal Hammer Front Cover AnalysisThe general forms and conventions of this q magazine are similar to most magazines for example the main part of the mast head is at the top left so it can been seen easily on a magazine shelf in a shop and also to help it to be clear it denotes the iconic word metal in the ‘H’ in the word hammer which helps people to see it easier. The main image is extremely important on any magazine front cover but especially in a heavy metal magazine as these sort of bands are vary expressive of there feelings in the songs and by there actions which is why the main image denotes the band Alice in chains with the front man standing and holding a burning guitar and the other band mates screaming, this connotes that these are hard-core metal bands and that they like violence. Also the band are dressed all in black clothing and the background is in the setting of a fiery desert which connotes anger, being fearsome which metal bands all try to convey. The left third doesn’t actually show any information which shows that they want to put more emphasis on there strong main image and this does do this but then they lose out on what a left third provides which is that people can see the best and most important parts about the magazine before they even pick it up as on the magazine shelf only the left third will be showing so it is vital if they want to entice different and new buyers, also Metal Hammer could of atleast put in a pull quote so the readers will know a little bit about what they are discussing but in this issue they chose not to. Other general forms and conventions such as the skyline and cover lines suggest how packed this magazine is in a bid to entice new readers for example the skyline acts as a spot for the cover lines to be printed which shows some of the bands that will also feature inside this issue which is good because they are all metal bands and unlike q or nme, metal hammer only focuses on heavy metal. Heavy metal fans will enjoy everything about the front cover as it is a niche market so the reader knows exactly what to expect from the magazine from looking at the front cover which is heavy metal only.

The index of the magazine is very clear and put into different category's ‘features’ and ‘regulars’ and they are clearly shown in red bold text as opposed to the smaller black writing of the items on the list this I a good idea as its easy to distinguish where the regulars and features are. The contents page is half text and half images which is a good balance.

To make the page selection even clearer and easier metal hammer have taken some of the best features and produced images of them and then written the page number on it again this would be useful for people who know what someone looks like who they want to read about but not sure on there name so this way they can just see there picture and then follow the page number. They have used the most famous people to show images of on the contents page. Also using lots of images this will attract the more visual orientated reader so its good to have an even balance of text and images.

A wide shot of the band in the centre of the double page spread which denotes them sitting and crouching in a warehouse room and has one of them smoking which connotes breaking the rules which is essential for the image metal bands try to convey . Also one band member is covering up his ears which could connote how loud there music is and the two other band mates look shocked and confused just to add some other emotions into the picture as the metal star image is about being different and unique.

The bands name is continuously written in the same font to give the right feeling of the band.