Kerrang!: the story on HearLore

Kerrang!

The first issue of Kerrang! sold out within days of its release on the 6th of June 1981, a phenomenon that transformed a one-off special edition into a publishing juggernaut. Originally conceived as a Heavy Metal Special by Sounds newspaper editor Alan Lewis, the magazine was designed to spotlight the new wave of British heavy metal and the rising tide of hard rock acts. Angus Young of AC/DC graced the cover of that inaugural issue, signaling a shift in focus for the British music press. The name itself was chosen for its onomatopoeic power, mimicking the sound of a guitar being struck with force, a decision that would define the magazine's identity for decades. Within eight issues, the publication frequency doubled to monthly, and by 1987, it had evolved into a weekly publication, cementing its place in the cultural landscape of the 1980s.

The Battle For The Cover

By the early 1990s, the magazine found itself in a fierce circulation war with RAW, another title owned by the same parent company, EMAP Metro. British journalist David Hepworth later admitted that EMAP had made it nearly impossible for Kerrang! to publish profitably because they promoted RAW so aggressively that Kerrang! had to counter-promote, eating into their margins. In April 1992, editor Geoff Barton left, replaced briefly by Robyn Doreian, who attempted to balance the magazine's heavy metal roots with the exploding grunge scene. By June 1993, Phil Alexander took the helm and steered the publication away from the glam metal acts of the 1980s, such as Mötley Crüe and Poison, toward modern acts like Hole, Nine Inch Nails, and Machine Head. This strategic pivot allowed Kerrang! to survive the Britpop era by focusing on heavier Britrock acts like The Wildhearts and Manic Street Preachers, ensuring its relevance in a rapidly changing musical landscape.

The Nu Metal Dominance

In 2001, Kerrang! overtook NME to become the best-selling music weekly in the United Kingdom, a title it held for years thanks to its embrace of nu metal. The magazine's circulation peaked at 83,988 copies per week by mid-2002, driven by coverage of bands like Limp Bizkit, System of a Down, and Slipknot. This era began in 1995 when journalist Mörat introduced the magazine to Korn through Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn, a connection that would define the magazine's direction for the next decade. The shift continued into the mid-to-late 2000s, where the focus moved to emo, post-hardcore, pop-punk, and metalcore as nu metal began to decline. Despite these changes, the magazine maintained its credibility by occasionally featuring established legends like Iron Maiden and Metallica, bridging the gap between the old guard and the new generation of rock.

When was the first issue of Kerrang! released?

The first issue of Kerrang! was released on the 6th of June 1981. This inaugural edition sold out within days and was originally conceived as a Heavy Metal Special by Sounds newspaper editor Alan Lewis.

Who was the editor of Kerrang! in 1993?

Phil Alexander took the helm of Kerrang! in June 1993. He steered the publication away from 1980s glam metal acts toward modern bands like Hole, Nine Inch Nails, and Machine Head.

When did the weekly print edition of Kerrang! stop publishing?

The weekly print edition of Kerrang! was suspended on the 13th of March 2020. This decision was made due to the COVID-19 pandemic after the magazine had been published weekly for over three decades.

What is the circulation peak of Kerrang! magazine?

The circulation of Kerrang! peaked at 83,988 copies per week by mid-2002. This high circulation was driven by coverage of nu metal bands such as Limp Bizkit, System of a Down, and Slipknot.

When did Kerrang! TV cease broadcasting?

Kerrang! TV closed on the 30th of June 2024 following budget cuts by Channel 4. The television channel had covered mainstream rock and classic heavy metal bands like Aerosmith and Black Sabbath since 2001.

Who won the Kerrang! Awards in 2024?

Knocked Loose won the Kerrang! Awards in 2024. The annual ceremony has featured notable guests like Johnny Depp and Dave Grohl and returned in June 2022 after a two-year hiatus.

Kerrang!

The Battle For The Cover

The Nu Metal Dominance

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