Kerrang!

Initially the magazine started of as a one off publication in the Sounds Newspaper but it's popularity grew from those early seeds in the summer of 1981.

In it's infancy the magazine concentrated on the new wave of British heavy metal and the hard rock acts. Infact the magazine can take credit for the term of NWOBHM and there gospel spreading along with those bands help influence the awakening of the American bay water scene and the thrash metal that followed along with many divisions within the heavy metal genre.

The magazine was founded by Geoff Barton who was the editor at Sounds Newspaper. The first edition featured Angus Young of AC/DC and was launched as a monthly periodical and by 1987 it was published on weekly basis. The magazine was originally owned by United Newspapers before they sold it to EMAP in 1991.

At the time there was no platform for the more edgier rock groups apart from fanzines and to get a magazine with national exposure certainly helped those groups and possibly a minor genre of music becoming one of the biggest genres.

There were plenty of music magazines which ostensibly concentrated on the teen pop industry, but Kerrang broke the trend and the magazine and the brand has grown from strength to strength.

Whereas most of the magazines from the 1980s have vanished, Kerrang identity has grown and with the advent of technology seen them expand. First of all was the website that attracted thousands of visitors along with there own awards show which became an industry leader of recognition for those who have been popular. They have also diversified into Radio and TV which gave a useful platform for the popular and up and coming bands to get the airplay they needed. They also introduced there own rock chart which was based on sales and airplay to give a more accurate reflection.

Often to judge success is longevity and whilst other mags peak and disappear, Kerrang has remained a constant success and the brand has gone on and that has helped the genre gain more mainstream attention.