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Kerrang!

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Kerrang!
Cover of 12 April 2023 digital issue of Kerrang! featuring American heavy metal band Metallica
EditorLuke Morton
Staff writersNick Ruskell, David McLaughlin, Emily Carter, Tom Shepherd, Ethan Fixell, Christopher Krovatin, Cat Jones
Frequency
  • Monthly (1981–1982)
  • Fortnightly (1982–1987)
  • Weekly (1987–2020)
  • Quarterly (2021–present)
PublisherWasted Talent Ltd
FounderAlan Lewis
First issue6 June 1981 (1981-06-06)
CountryUnited Kingdom
Based inLondon
LanguageEnglish
Websitekerrang.com
ISSN0262-6624

Kerrang! is a British music webzine and quarterly magazine that primarily covers rock, punk and heavy metal music. Since 2017, the magazine has been published by Wasted Talent Ltd (the same company that owns electronic music publication Mixmag).[1] The magazine was named onomatopoeically after the sound of a "guitar being struck with force".[2]

Kerrang! was first published on 6 June 1981 as a one-off "Heavy Metal Special" from the now-defunct Sounds newspaper. Due to the popularity of the issue, the magazine became a monthly publication, before transitioning into a weekly in 1987. Initially devoted to the new wave of British heavy metal and the rise of hard rock acts,[3] Kerrang!'s musical emphasis has changed several times, focusing on grunge, nu metal, post-hardcore, emo and other alternative rock and metal genres over the course of its forty-year publication history. In 2001, it became the best-selling British music weekly, overtaking NME.

After publishing a total of 1,818 issues, Kerrang! ceased publication of their weekly magazine in March 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst continuing as an online publication featuring digital "cover stories". In December 2021, the print edition of Kerrang! was revived, and is now published on a quarterly basis.

History

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1980s

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Kerrang! was founded in 1981.[4] The editor of the weekly music magazine Sounds, Alan Lewis, suggested that Geoff Barton edit a one-off special edition focusing on the new wave of British heavy metal phenomenon and on the rise of other hard rock acts.[5] Billed as a "Sounds Heavy Metal Special", Kerrang!'s first issue was published on 6 June 1981.[2][6] Angus Young of AC/DC appeared on Kerrang!'s first cover. According to Alan Lewis, the first issue reportedly sold out within days of its publication, and the magazine began being published on a monthly basis.[7] In February 1982, after only eight issues, Kerrang!'s frequency was doubled by its publisher, Spotlight Publications (owned by United Newspapers).[8] Starting with issue 148 in 1987, the publication went weekly.[9] During the 1980s and early 1990s the magazine placed many thrash metal and glam metal acts on the cover, including Tigertailz, Mötley Crüe, Slayer, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Poison, and Venom. The term thrash metal was first coined in the music press by Kerrang! journalist Malcolm Dome, in reference to the Anthrax song "Metal Thrashing Mad".[10][11] Prior to this Metallica's James Hetfield had referred to their sound as "power metal".[12]

1990s

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In April 1991, Spotlight/United Newspapers sold Kerrang! to EMAP Metro (now known as Ascential plc).[13][14] Although Kerrang! had an average weekly circulation of 58,685 by this point and was making profits of £1 million a year,[14][15] the publication had been faced with significant competition from RAW magazine, also owned by EMAP.[16] British journalist David Hepworth, who launched a number of titles for EMAP in the 1980s, said: "We [EMAP] had made it nearly impossible for Spotlight to publish Kerrang! profitably because we promoted RAW and they had to promote back, and that ate into their margins."[16] EMAP moved Kerrang!'s offices to Carnaby Street in London's West End.[15][14]

In April 1992, Barton left his post as the magazine's editor, and was replaced by Robyn Doreian. Although her tenure as editor was brief, Doreian would balance the magazine's focus between heavy metal and the growing alternative music scene, following the unexpected success of grunge acts such as Nirvana.[17] Phil Alexander became the new editor of Kerrang! in June 1993.[18] Alexander felt that the magazine was lagging behind RAW in terms of its coverage of newer bands, and Kerrang!'s emphasis began to largely eschew previously featured glam/metal acts in favour of modern acts, such as Hole, Nine Inch Nails, Kyuss, Corrosion of Conformity and Machine Head.[18] During the Britpop era, the magazine would largely focus on heavier "Britrock" acts such as The Wildhearts, Manic Street Preachers, Terrorvision and Therapy?.[19][20] Starting in 1995, Kerrang! began covering the nu metal genre after one of the magazine's journalists, Mörat, was introduced to Korn by Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn.[21] During the late 1990s, the magazine would end up covering the likes of Limp Bizkit, System of a Down, Deftones and Slipknot, and various other punk rock, hip-hop and hardcore acts.[22]

2000s – 2020s

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In April 2000, Paul Rees became the new editor for Kerrang!.[23] In 2001, Kerrang! overtook NME as the biggest selling music weekly in the United Kingdom, bolstered by its coverage of nu metal.[24][25][26] By mid-2002, the magazine had a circulation of 83,988 copies per week.[26] After Rees left them to edit Q magazine, former Kerrang! reviews editor Ashley Bird appointed editor from 2003 to 2005.[27] Following his departure, Paul Brannigan took over as editor in May 2005.[28] In the mid-to-late 2000s, the genre focus of Kerrang! shifted once more, with a new emphasis on emo, post-hardcore, pop-punk and metalcore music, coinciding with the decline of nu metal.[29][30][31] Furthermore, the magazine continued to occasionally feature more established bands such as Iron Maiden and Metallica on the cover.[32][33] In 2006, the magazine's circulation stood at 80,186 copies.[34]

In 2008, EMAP sold its consumer magazines to Bauer Media Group. Brannigan left Kerrang! in 2009 and Nichola Browne was appointed editor.[35] She later stepped down in April 2011. Former NME features editor and GamesMaster deputy editor James McMahon was appointed as editor on 6 June 2011.[36]

In April 2017, Kerrang! magazine, its website, and the K! Awards were purchased by Mixmag Media, publisher of dance monthly Mixmag, along with assets related to defunct style magazine The Face. Mixmag has since formed parent company Wasted Talent, which relaunched Kerrang! as a digital-first title, while continuing to publish a weekly print edition. Former Editor-in-Chief Phil Alexander was appointed Global Creative Director on 3 August 2017.[37] Bauer retained ownership of Kerrang! Radio and the Box Plus Network will continue to operate Kerrang! TV as before.[38][1] An updated Kerrang! logo was debuted in mid-2017 before the magazine received a complete redesign during 2018.[39]

On 13 March 2020, after publishing a total of 1,818 issues, publication of the weekly print edition of Kerrang! was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[40] The Kerrang! website continued to run articles as normal. On 29 July 2020, the magazine debuted its first weekly digital 'cover story' long-form article, announcing Corey Taylor's first solo album CMFT (2020).[41][42] In December 2021, a one-off print edition of Kerrang! was published, celebrating the return of live music events in the UK.[43] Sales of this magazine proved successful enough that a second stand-alone print magazine was published in April 2022.[44] The magazine continues to be published on a quarterly basis.[45][46][47][48]

International editions

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Emap launched Kerrang! Australia in the late 1990s. Unlike its weekly counterpart in the UK, the Australian edition was published monthly due to stiff competition from free local music publications.[citation needed] Kerrang! is also published in Spanish and German. Kerrang announced its aim to expand into the US in March 2018.[citation needed]

In March 2018, following a magazine redesign, Kerrang! announced it would be expanding to the United States, with an office in New York run by Ethan Fixell. The goal would be to generate US-centric content, events, and brand partnerships.[49]

Website

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Kerrang!'s website, www.kerrang.com, was launched in summer 2001 by Dan Silver. Kerrang!'s parent company Emap acquired the domain name from a Norwegian cybersquatter by the name of Steingram Stegane for a token sum of £666.[50]

Kerrang!'s website features news and features on both contemporary and classic rock bands, as well as previewing upcoming events. The website hosts Kerrang!'s online shop, podcasts, message board, TV and radio segments ensuring more opportunities to sell associated merchandise and products.[51] In 2001, Kerrang! launched its own online forum with the "rants and raves" section taking up most of the traffic. According to Alexa www.kerrang.com is ranked 83,545th globally, and 33,532nd in the U.S.[52]

Other ventures

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Kerrang! Awards

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Since 1993, the magazine has held an annual awards ceremony to mark the most successful bands in the interests of their readers. The awards became one of Britain's most recognised events by the now defunct Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, often listing some of the winners in their annual round-up of the previous year. The event is presented by major music celebrities, with many others outside the industry who attend the event.[53]

After a year hiatus, the Awards were relaunched in 2018, with notable guests that included Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, Tony Iommi, Corey Taylor, and Dave Grohl, among others.[54] After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony returned in June 2022, with the reader nominations period beginning in April 2022.[55]

Kerrang! Radio

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In 2000, EMAP launched Kerrang! as a DAB radio station, across the United Kingdom. This was principally a 'jukebox' station, playing a back-to-back sequence of rock and alternative music. On 10 June 2004, Kerrang! 105.2 was launched as a regional radio station in Birmingham with an advertising campaign by London-based creative agency ODD.[56] The radio had a number of specialist programmes dedicated to the many subgenres of rock music. The radio output included interviews with those affecting popular culture and society as well as those involved with music. It stopped broadcasting on FM as of 14 June 2013 and once again became a digital station, with listeners able to tune in on DAB or the Kerrang! Radio app. With this broadcasting change came a move in Kerrang! Radio's offices from Birmingham to London. Absolute Radio is now broadcasting on its FM frequency.[citation needed]

Kerrang! TV

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In 2001 EMAP launched Kerrang! TV. As with the radio station, the television channel covers the more mainstream side of the rock music as well as classic rock bands including Aerosmith, AC/DC and Guns N' Roses and classic heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Metallica. Kerrang! TV, along with its The Box Plus Network sister channels, was fully owned by Channel Four Television Corporation and subsequently closed due to budget cuts made by Channel 4, along with its sister channels, on 30th June 2024.[57]

Kerrang! Compilation Albums

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From 1982 the Kerrang! Magazine would occasionally be bundled with Compilation Records orriginaly on 7" vinyl then moving Cassets in 1994 to CD's in 1995.[58] The Compilations new and popular music music, music themed around a genre of 'vibe', or best of lists. In 2001 Kerrang Began Releasing Kerrang! the Album under Universal Music before switching to Rhino Records in 2016.

Kerrang! Tour

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The Kerrang! Tour ran from 2006 to 2017. The line-up for each year was usually announced in October of the previous year and was held throughout January and February of the following year.[59] Relentless Energy Drink sponsored the Kerrang! Tour for several years. It is currently unknown if the tour will ever be revived.

The K! Pit

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The year after the final Kerrang! Tour, Kerrang! launched a new gig concept known as 'The K! Pit', where the magazine promotes a free gig for a popular band in a tiny London venue. Fans gain access by applying for tickets online and being selected at random in a competition-style draw. Artists featured so far include Parkway Drive, Mastodon, Fever 333, and Neck Deep, the latter performance coinciding with the 2018 Kerrang! Awards where Neck Deep would win 'Best Song'.[65] The brand has since also launched the series in Brooklyn, New York, featuring artists such as Sum 41, Baroness, Knocked Loose, Daughters, Fit For An Autopsy. Performances are also streamed on the Kerrang! Facebook page before being uploaded to YouTube.

The Official Kerrang! Rock Chart

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During the 1980s, Kerrang! published weekly heavy metal charts for singles, albums and import albums. Each was compiled from sales data from fifty specialist stores across the United Kingdom.

In March 2012, Kerrang! announced a new weekly rock singles chart for the UK based on upon airplay across Kerrang Radio, Kerrang TV, and specialist rock radio stations, as well as sales figures from the Official Charts Company. As of 2020, the chart continues to be printed in the magazine every week, contains 20 tracks, and often features accompanying facts or artist quotes. The official Kerrang Spotify profile also features a playlist of the tracks on the chart and is updated every Wednesday.[66] The chart was announced on Saturday mornings on Kerrang! Radio and could be viewed online every Saturday at midday. The chart would also be shown on Kerrang! TV on Thursdays at 4 pm.

Unlike the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart produced by the Official Charts Company, which is typically dominated by classic rock artists, the Kerrang! Rock Chart focuses primarily on new releases by contemporary rock artists.

Kerrang! year-end lists

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Album of the Year

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Year Artist Album Source
1982 Scorpions Blackout [67]
1983 Def Leppard Pyromania
1984 Van Halen 1984
1985 Bryan Adams Reckless
1986 David Lee Roth Eat 'Em and Smile
1987 Aerosmith Permanent Vacation
1988 King's X Out of the Silent Planet
1989 Faith No More The Real Thing
1990 Slayer Seasons in the Abyss
1991 Metallica Metallica
1992 Alice In Chains Dirt
1993 Pearl Jam Vs.
1994 Therapy? Troublegum
1995 Foo Fighters Foo Fighters
1996 Screaming Trees Dust
1997 Foo Fighters The Colour and the Shape
1998 Monster Magnet Powertrip
1999 Foo Fighters There is Nothing Left to Lose
2000 Queens of the Stone Age Rated R
2001 Tool Lateralus
2002 Queens of the Stone Age Songs for the Deaf
2003 The Darkness Permission to Land
2004 Mastodon Leviathan
2005 Trivium Ascendancy
2006 Taking Back Sunday Louder Now
2007 Biffy Clyro Puzzle
2008 Metallica Death Magnetic
2009 Gallows Grey Britain
2010 Deftones Diamond Eyes
2011 Mastodon The Hunter
2012 Enter Shikari A Flash Flood of Colour
2013 Bring Me the Horizon Sempiternal
2014 Architects Lost Forever // Lost Together
2015 Bring Me the Horizon That's the Spirit
2016 Green Day Revolution Radio
2017 Employed to Serve The Warmth of a Dying Sun
2018 Turnstile Time & Space
2019 Slipknot We Are Not Your Kind
2020 Code Orange Underneath
2021 Every Time I Die Radical [68]
2022 Nova Twins Supernova [69]
2023 Foo Fighters But Here We Are

Logos

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References

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Citations

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  2. ^ a b Ruskell 2023, p. 14.
  3. ^ Brannigan, Paul (6 June 2006). "25 Most Important Bands of Our Lifetime". Kerrang!. No. 1110.
  4. ^ Brown 2007, p. 13 (in source).
  5. ^ Phil Alexander, "RIP Alan Lewis: Kerrang! founder and British publishing legend", Kerrang!, 24 June 2021 Archived 2 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 July 2021
  6. ^ Ward, Steven. "Geoff Barton, behind the wheel". Rock Critics. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  7. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 17.
  8. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 20.
  9. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 51.
  10. ^ Kerrang!, issue 62, page 8, 23 February 1984
  11. ^ "Celebrated music journalist Malcolm Dome dies aged 66". prod.musicweek.com. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  12. ^ Dome, Malcolm (23 February 1984). "Anthrax 'Fistful of Metal'". Kerrang!. Vol. 62. London: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 8.
  13. ^ Gorman 2022, p. 307.
  14. ^ a b c Anon. (13 April 1991). "Emap scoops up Select in music titles sell-of" (PDF). Music Week: 3. ISSN 0265-1548. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  15. ^ a b Ruskell 2023, p. 70.
  16. ^ a b Gorman 2022, p. 309.
  17. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 66, 77, 80.
  18. ^ a b Ruskell 2023, p. 83.
  19. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 86.
  20. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 88.
  21. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 93.
  22. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 96, 99-100, 124.
  23. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 130.
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  29. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 142.
  30. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 145.
  31. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 148.
  32. ^ Kerrang! 22 March 2003. No. 947.
  33. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 151.
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  36. ^ Cardew, Ben (6 June 2011). "Kerrang! names new editor". Music Week. Intent Media. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  37. ^ "Wasted Talent appoint Phil Alexander as global creative director of Kerrang! and Rock Music Media". musicweek.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
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  39. ^ Homewood, Ben (5 March 2018). "Kerrang! unveils magazine redesign as editorial team expands and US office opens". Music Week. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  40. ^ Ruskell 2023, p. 223.
  41. ^ Carter, Emily (29 July 2020). "Corey Taylor: "You can't experience joy unless you know what real sadness feels like"". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  42. ^ Ruskell 2023, pp. 226–227.
  43. ^ Kerrang! staff (2 December 2021). "Kerrang! releases special-edition magazine celebrating the return of live music". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  44. ^ "The making of Bring Me the Horizon - only in the new issue of Kerrang! magazine". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  45. ^ Kerrang! staff (15 September 2022). "The rise of Måneskin – only in the new issue of Kerrang! magazine". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  46. ^ Kerrang! staff (8 December 2022). "Nova Twins are officially the band of the year – only in the new…". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  47. ^ Kerrang! staff (23 February 2023). "The phenomenon returns: BABYMETAL take us inside their new era – only…". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  48. ^ Kerrang! staff (11 May 2023). ""My heart and soul is dedicated to Slipknot": A world-exclusive…". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  49. ^ "Kerrang! unveils magazine redesign as editorial team expands and US office opens". Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  50. ^ Gibson, Owen (26 August 2001). "New Media Diary". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 17 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
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  52. ^ "Site Overview". Alexa. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  53. ^ Ng, Justin (4 May 2011). "Kerrang! Awards Fuelled By Relentless Energy Drink Nominations Announced". Entertainment Focus. Archived from the original on 28 November 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  54. ^ "Dave Grohl dedicates Kerrang! Award to Linkin Park's Chester Bennington - Independent.ie". Independent.ie. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  55. ^ "The Kerrang! Awards 2022: Nominations are now open!". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  56. ^ "About Kerrang! Radio". Kerrang! Radio. Bauer Media Group. 14 March 2002. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  57. ^ Plunkett, Joe (21 November 2008). "Bauer Radio mulls rebrand of Kerrang! station in West Midlands". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  58. ^ "Kerrang!". Discogs. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  59. ^ Gregory, Jason (28 September 2011). "New Found Glory, Sum 41, letlive For 2012 UK And Ireland Tour – Tickets". Gigwise.com. Giant Digital. Archived from the original on 4 December 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  60. ^ a b Jon Stickler (30 September 2011). "Kerrang! Tour 2012 with New Found Glory & Sum 41 - Tickets ONSALE 9 am". stereoboard. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  61. ^ "The Kerrang! Tour 2012 sponsored by Relentless Energy Drink featuring New Found Glory and The Blackout". Relentless Energy. 20 January 2012. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
  62. ^ "Kerrang! Tour 2015 Line-Up Completed - Kerrang!". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  63. ^ "Kerrang! Tour 2016 Headliner and Dates Announced - TICKETS ON SALE NOW!". Kerrang! Radio. 29 September 2015. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  64. ^ "Kerrang! Tour 2016! - Kerrang!". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  65. ^ "Neck Deep Are Playing The K! Pit For The Kerrang! Awards Week Of Rock — Kerrang!". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  66. ^ https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/the-kerrang-rock-chart-1/ Archived 8 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine Kerrang! Rock Chart, 28 November 2018
  67. ^ "Rocklist.net...Kerrang! Lists Page 1..." www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  68. ^ "The 50 best albums of 2021". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  69. ^ "The 50 best albums of 2022". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.

Bibliography

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