Contents page analysis

Terrorizer

Terrorizer magazine is published by Dark Arts Ltd.

This company has published other magazines of similar genre.

These are: ‘Dominion’, ‘Sick Sounds’ and Terrorizer’s sister magazine, ‘Terrorizer’s secret history’

All of these magazines are directed towards fans of the metal subgenre, however, different magazines will appeal to slightly different audience.

Terrorizer

There is a small range of colours used on this contents page, it consists mostly of black and white, with red used for the text and page numbers.

The use of black and white helps make the text stand out more. The red is perhaps symbolic of blood, which connotes violence and danger that this genre is associated with.

The layout of this contents page is very structured for the most part. The only thing apposing this structure is the images, which are still in line with the table of contents.

This formal looking structure goes against the idea of rebellion associated normally with this genre.

I think the contents of this magazine is aimed at a more niche audience.

The bands featured are lesser known, such as ‘Annihilator’ and ‘Clutch’

TerrorizerThe font used for the title is bold and loud. It also looks scratched.This connotes how metal is a loud genre, and the scratches connote perhaps more violence, or are just used to reduce the formal appearance.

The font is also sub-sans, a type of font generally used in formal text. This contrasts with the scratched and bold appearance.

Blood splatters are used for major page numbers, the ones accompanied by an image.Again this idea connotes violence, generally associated with metal.

The images feature men, most probably in metal bands.This could show how this magazine is directed towards a male audience.

The angry/happy facial expression of the man on the left shows excitement but is also slightly intimidating.

Metal ManiacsMetal Maniacs was published Zenbu Media.

Zenbu media also own another metal magazine by the name of Metal Edge

However, they publish another magazine called Global Rhythm, which does not focus on metal.

This shows it has experience with a wider range, meaning it may not be entirely focused on this genre.

This is backed up by the fact it shut down Metal Maniacs in 2009.

Metal ManiacsThis contents page features a more collage-like look, giving a less formal, more rebellious appearance to the magazine.

The colours used are mainly back, white and red, again helping the red stand out more, highlighting important parts. The red also connotes danger, and looks like blood which could represent violence.

These images looks as if they are just carelessly thrown onto the page with a more freeform approach.

Each of these pictures is of a band, so people can quickly see a sample of what is covered in this magazine.

This magazine directly stated which bands have articles in this magazine

This helps the audience know what kind of music this magazine is about, and also selects the audience.

In this case, I think this magazine is appealing to a more niche audience.

Metal ManiacsThe font used in this magazine’s headings also has an informal appearance.

The font looks scratched and tattered, also having that bold, loud look associated with this genre.

The font used in the contents listing is also bold, despite being smaller. This makes it appear much more prominently on the page.

The central image on this contents page features a female band member who is singing. Again, this goes against the assumption that the audience is primarily male.

Despite that, the four images overlaying the central image feature all-male bands.

The general feel I get from this contents page is that there’s a lot going on, it’s very loud and in your face.

This is the approach I would like to use in my own music magazine.