Double Page Spread Analysis

The double page spread is taken from metal magazine Rock Sound. The band featured in the article is British metal core band ‘Bring Me the Horizon’. They are currently signed to Visible Noise Records in the UK, Epitaph Records in the US and Shock Records in Australia; the very fact that the band is big worldwide shows that the magazine has to aim its article at a broad target market. However, metal core is a nice market and fans are usually dedicated and avid followers. The normal metal core fan is between the age of 10 and 30; this is because although metal core has become more popular in recent years, the origins can really only be traced back 30 years or so. In the past, metal core fans were predominantly male. However, in recent years females have embraced the culture. The most stereotypical mannerism of a metal core fan is their hatred for convention and conformity.

The language used in the double page spread is dark, yet revealing. Similarly to the lyrics and music that Bring Me the Horizon creates, there are references to the supernatural “facing up to the demons”. However, what is a complete contrast to their musical style is the revealing attitude that the language and overall article itself creates, “I look back at the person I was and shake my head.” The magazine generally doesn’t hold back on the dark imagery. This is expected because metalheads generally do not hide their opinions or are afraid to use frank language. Moreover, the metal core genre of music is associated with the gothic culture; perhaps one of the reasons for the dark language.

Continuing the dark theme, the colours used on the double page spread are dark and simplistic. The background colour, black, is dominant. Once more, black is a colour that is very much associated with the gothic culture. The dominant black is broken up by two colours; red and black. The red is used in streaks; which could connote blood and suffering. However, the use of the colour white contrasts to both the other colours. White traditionally symbolises hope. Therefore, I feel that colour is used very effectively because it sums up the article itself. The article is about the dark times suffered and the road to greatness that the band is now on. The style of text used also adds to the dark and unforgiving feel of the article itself. The typeface used is sans-serif; which is again has historically been linked to the gothic. This is because the typeface is simple and forthright; this gives off that dark feel.

The double page spread is dominated by one image of the bands front man Oli Sykes; his image takes up half the double page spread. It suggests that he is the main focus of the article. The next thing you notice when you initially look at the double page spread is the bands title. This is done to entice people in to reading the article. Bring Me the Horizon is a huge band at the moment on the metal core scene. This means by putting the bands name at the focus point of the double page spread people who are flicking through are more likely to look in detail at the actual article. The actual article text takes up very little space. It takes just a small proportion of the overall spread.

The kind of tone that the magazine uses when addressing its audience is similar to addressing a friend. I get this feeling from the revealing language used and natural photograph used. The detail which you get out of the article is the kind of detail you would expect to get off a friend. Oli Sykes is revealing a lot about his life and being completely open. This tells me a lot about metal core fans and their bond with the bands they follow. Metal bands seem to have a much closer relationship with their fans than bands from other genres.

The main image on the double page spread is of the bands front man. Dedicated fans would know that Oli Sykes has had a troubled past and the road to his success hasn’t been easy. The shot is low angle, this may connote Sykes’ road to success; always looking to the future and standing up no matter what happens. Fans admire this about him and see him as an inspiration. The magazine has noted this; therefore, it is acceptable and expected that the low angle shot could be used. However, Sykes is not looking at down the lens of the camera. This could connote that he finds it difficult to talk about his past.

The double page spread shares some of its characteristics with the front cover of the magazine. The colours used on the double page spread are similar to the ones used on the front cover; red, black and white is used. Furthermore, the image on the front cover is also of Bring Me the Horizon. Again, Oli Sykes is in the foreground of the image. This supports the suggestion that the article’s chief focus is on the front man.

What is great about this article is that you need no prior knowledge to be able to read and understand the content. The article focuses on three areas of the bands career; the past, the present and the future. Therefore, all you need to know about the band is in the article itself.