Contents analysis

There is clearly a basic layout that Kerrang was using. Repeating this design can help people recognise your magazine and create a style for the magazine, something that you would expect. Although in the top left there is a different variation of a Kerrang contents page. By having numerous basic layouts it makes the creating process a lot easier but it also gives the reader the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the page and where specific things may be. For example, the main story is most likely as the top half of the contents page.

I noticed that some of the images are from what looks like live shows that the bands had performed at. This allows the reader to feel as though they were partially there as they can attempt to see and feel the atmosphere and what the show was like. By using composed photos like the top two contents pages this can sometimes be more appealing as they can look a lot more professional.
The contents page on the top right consits of one main image. A medium close up that is framed so you can't see his full head. By doing this and composing the subject to stare into the lens it looks more dramatic, therefore more effective. Also by only using one image the page looks a lot more organised and clearer as there are less distractions. Although this can sometimes look more effective it is often lees informative and less conventional for a rock magazine as generally rock magazines are often packed with stories and pictures.

You want a contents page to be brief but informative, it doesn't necessarily have to sell itself as much as the cover as at this point they are already intregued, it does however have to keep them hooked.