Editing Kerrang! (section)

==History==

=== 1980s ===
''Kerrang!'' was founded in 1981.{{Sfn|Brown|2007|p=|loc=p. 13 (in source)}} The editor of the weekly music magazine ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]'', [[Alan Lewis (music journalist)|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.<ref name="kerrang">[https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/rip-alan-lewis-kerrang-founder-and-british-publishing-legend/ Phil Alexander, "RIP Alan Lewis: Kerrang! founder and British publishing legend", ''Kerrang!'', 24 June 2021] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702233137/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/rip-alan-lewis-kerrang-founder-and-british-publishing-legend/ |date=2 July 2021}}. Retrieved 25 July 2021</ref> Billed as a "''Sounds'' Heavy Metal Special", ''Kerrang!''{{'s}} first issue was published on 6 June 1981.{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=14}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rockcriticsarchives.com/interviews/geoffbarton/geoffbarton.html|title=Geoff Barton, behind the wheel|first=Steven|last=Ward|access-date=22 November 2011|publisher=Rock Critics|archive-date=11 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511084008/http://rockcriticsarchives.com/interviews/geoffbarton/geoffbarton.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[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.{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=17}} In February 1982, after only eight issues, ''Kerrang!''{{'s}} frequency was doubled by its publisher, [[Spotlight Publications]] (owned by [[UBM plc|United Newspapers]]).{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=20}} Starting with issue 148 in 1987, the publication went weekly.{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=51}} 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 (American band)|Poison]], and [[Venom (band)|Venom]]. The term [[thrash metal]] was first coined in the music press by ''Kerrang!'' journalist [[Malcolm Dome]], in reference to the [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]] song "[[Metal Thrashing Mad]]".<ref>''Kerrang!'', issue 62, page 8, 23 February 1984</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Celebrated music journalist Malcolm Dome dies aged 66 |url=http://prod.musicweek.com/interviews/read/celebrated-music-journalist-malcolm-dome-dies-aged-66/084526 |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=prod.musicweek.com |language=en}}</ref> Prior to this [[Metallica]]'s [[James Hetfield]] had referred to their sound as "[[power metal]]".<ref>{{cite book |last=Dome |first=Malcolm |title=Kerrang! |date=23 February 1984 |publisher=Spotlight Publications Ltd. |volume=62 |location=London |page=8 |chapter=Anthrax 'Fistful of Metal'}}</ref>

=== 1990s ===
In April 1991, Spotlight/United Newspapers sold ''Kerrang!'' to [[EMAP|EMAP Metro]] (now known as Ascential plc).{{sfn|Gorman|2022|p=307}}<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Anon. |date=13 April 1991 |title=Emap scoops up Select in music titles sell-of |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1991/MW-1991-04-13-IDX-3.pdf |journal=[[Music Week]] |page=3 |issn=0265-1548 |via=worldradiohistory.com |access-date=14 May 2023 |archive-date=14 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514134126/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1991/MW-1991-04-13-IDX-3.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Although ''Kerrang!'' had an average weekly circulation of 58,685 by this point and was making profits of £1 million a year,<ref name=":1" />{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=70}} the publication had been faced with significant competition from [[Raw (music magazine)|''RAW'']] magazine, also owned by EMAP.{{sfn|Gorman|2022|p=309}} 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 [[Profit margin|margins]]."{{sfn|Gorman|2022|p=309}} EMAP moved ''Kerrang!''{{'s}} offices to [[Carnaby Street]] in London's [[West End of London|West End]].{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=70}}<ref name=":1" />

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 rock|alternative music]] scene, following the unexpected success of [[grunge]] acts such as [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]].{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=66, 77, 80}} Phil Alexander became the new editor of ''Kerrang!'' in June 1993.{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=83}} 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 (band)|Hole]], [[Nine Inch Nails]], [[Kyuss]], [[Corrosion of Conformity]] and [[Machine Head (band)|Machine Head]].{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=83}} During the [[Britpop]] era, the magazine would largely focus on heavier "[[Britrock]]" acts such as [[The Wildhearts]], [[Manic Street Preachers]], [[Terrorvision]] and [[Therapy?]].{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=86}}{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=88}} 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]].{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=93}} During the late 1990s, the magazine would end up covering the likes of [[Limp Bizkit]], [[System of a Down]], [[Deftones]] and [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], and various other [[punk rock]], [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] and [[Hardcore punk|hardcore]] acts.{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=96, 99-100, 124}}

=== 2000s – 2020s ===
In April 2000, Paul Rees became the new editor for ''Kerrang!.''{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=130}} In 2001, ''Kerrang!'' overtook ''[[NME]]'' as the biggest selling music weekly in the United Kingdom, bolstered by its coverage of nu metal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baran |first=Pete |date=15 February 2002 |title=Kerrang topples NME as best selling music weekly |work=Freaky Trigger |url=http://freakytrigger.co.uk/nylpm/2002/02/kerrang-topples-nme-as-best-selling-music-weekly/ |url-status=live |access-date=23 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528151426/http://freakytrigger.co.uk/nylpm/2002/02/kerrang-topples-nme-as-best-selling-music-weekly/ |archive-date=28 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=15 February 2002 |title=Kerrang! overtakes NME |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1823270.stm |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217051059/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1823270.stm |archive-date=17 February 2013}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Cozens |first=Claire |date=2002-08-15 |title=NME loses ground to Kerrang! |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/aug/15/pressandpublishing.circulationfigures5 |access-date=2023-05-14 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=14 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514134126/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/aug/15/pressandpublishing.circulationfigures5 |url-status=live }}</ref> By mid-2002, the magazine had a circulation of 83,988 copies per week.<ref name=":3" /> After Rees left them to edit ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' magazine, former ''Kerrang!'' reviews editor Ashley Bird appointed editor from 2003 to 2005.<ref>{{cite web |title=MEDIA: Youngest editor ever at Kerrang! to steer revamp |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/165509/media-youngest-editor-ever-kerrang-steer-revamp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906035105/http://www.prweek.com/article/165509/media-youngest-editor-ever-kerrang-steer-revamp |archive-date=6 September 2017 |access-date=5 September 2017 |website=prweek.com}}</ref> Following his departure, Paul Brannigan took over as editor in May 2005.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 February 2004 |title=ABC report: film and music |work=Campaign |url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/203156/ABC-REPORT-FILM-MUSIC/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027200142/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/abc-report-film-music/203156 |archive-date=27 October 2021}}</ref> 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.{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=142}}{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=145}}{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=148}} Furthermore, the magazine continued to occasionally feature more established bands such as [[Iron Maiden]] and [[Metallica]] on the cover.<ref>''Kerrang!'' 22 March 2003. No. 947.</ref>{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=151}} In 2006, the magazine's circulation stood at 80,186 copies.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tryhorn |first=Chris |date=17 August 2006 |title=Kerrang! rocks NME's world |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/aug/17/abcs.pressandpublishing7 |url-status=live |access-date=22 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517162524/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/aug/17/abcs.pressandpublishing7 |archive-date=17 May 2014}}</ref>

In 2008, EMAP sold its consumer magazines to [[Bauer Media Group]]. Brannigan left ''Kerrang!'' in 2009 and Nichola Browne was appointed editor.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brook |first=Stephen |title=Nichola Browne to edit Kerrang! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/aug/17/kerrang-new-editor-nichola-browne |url-status=live |work=The Guardian |date=17 August 2009 |access-date=28 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102141406/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/aug/17/kerrang-new-editor-nichola-browne |archive-date=2 January 2015}}</ref> She later stepped down in April 2011. Former ''[[NME]]'' features editor and ''[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]]'' deputy editor James McMahon was appointed as editor on 6 June 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1045438&c=1|title=Kerrang! names new editor|first=Ben|last=Cardew|work=[[Music Week]]|publisher=Intent Media|date=6 June 2011|access-date=9 June 2011|archive-date=9 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609003240/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1045438&c=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

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 (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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/media/read/wasted-talent-appoint-phil-alexander-as-global-creative-director-of-kerrang-and-rock-music-media/069346|title=Wasted Talent appoint Phil Alexander as global creative director of Kerrang! and Rock Music Media|website=musicweek.com|access-date=3 Aug 2017|archive-date=6 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806100614/http://www.musicweek.com/media/read/wasted-talent-appoint-phil-alexander-as-global-creative-director-of-kerrang-and-rock-music-media/069346|url-status=live}}</ref> Bauer retained ownership of ''Kerrang!'' Radio and [[the Box Plus Network]] will continue to operate Kerrang! TV as before.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/media/read/mixmag-complete-purchase-of-kerrang-and-the-face-from-bauer-media/068261|title=Mixmag complete purchase of Kerrang! and The Face from Bauer Media|website=musicweek.com|access-date=15 June 2017|archive-date=1 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601192558/http://www.musicweek.com/media/read/mixmag-complete-purchase-of-kerrang-and-the-face-from-bauer-media/068261|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="wasted"/> An updated ''Kerrang!'' logo was debuted in mid-2017 before the magazine received a complete redesign during 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Homewood |first=Ben |date=5 March 2018 |title=Kerrang! unveils magazine redesign as editorial team expands and US office opens |url=https://www.musicweek.com/media/read/kerrang-unveils-magazine-redesign-as-editorial-team-expands-and-us-office-opens/071677 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=[[Music Week]] |language=en}}</ref>

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]].{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|p=223}} 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).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Emily |date=29 July 2020 |title=Corey Taylor: "You can't experience joy unless you know what real sadness feels like" |url=https://www.kerrang.com/corey-taylor-you-cant-experience-joy-unless-you-know-what-real-sadness-feels-like/ |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=Kerrang! |language=en |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709203925/https://www.kerrang.com/corey-taylor-you-cant-experience-joy-unless-you-know-what-real-sadness-feels-like |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Ruskell|2023|pp=226–227}} In December 2021, a one-off print edition of ''Kerrang!'' was published, celebrating the return of live music events in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerrang! staff |date=2 December 2021 |title=Kerrang! releases special-edition magazine celebrating the return of live music |url=https://www.kerrang.com/kerrang-releases-special-edition-magazine-celebrating-the-return-of-live-music/ |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=Kerrang! |language=en |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330014748/https://www.kerrang.com/kerrang-releases-special-edition-magazine-celebrating-the-return-of-live-music |url-status=live }}</ref> Sales of this magazine proved successful enough that a second stand-alone print magazine was published in April 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=The making of Bring Me the Horizon - only in the new issue of Kerrang! magazine |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-making-of-bring-me-the-horizon-only-in-the-new-issue-of-kerrang-magazine |website=Kerrang! |date=31 March 2022 |access-date=21 April 2022 |archive-date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414235312/https://www.kerrang.com/the-making-of-bring-me-the-horizon-only-in-the-new-issue-of-kerrang-magazine |url-status=live }}</ref> The magazine continues to be published on a quarterly basis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerrang! staff |date=September 15, 2022 |title=The rise of Måneskin – only in the new issue of Kerrang! magazine |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-rise-of-maneskin-only-in-the-new-issue-of-kerrang-magazine/ |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=Kerrang! |language=en |archive-date=9 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609072636/https://www.kerrang.com/the-rise-of-maneskin-only-in-the-new-issue-of-kerrang-magazine |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerrang! staff |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Nova Twins are officially the band of the year – only in the new… |url=https://www.kerrang.com/nova-twins-are-officially-the-band-of-the-year-only-in-the-new-issue-of-kerrang/ |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=Kerrang! |language=en |archive-date=23 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523175339/https://www.kerrang.com/nova-twins-are-officially-the-band-of-the-year-only-in-the-new-issue-of-kerrang |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerrang! staff |date=February 23, 2023 |title=The phenomenon returns: BABYMETAL take us inside their new era – only… |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-phenomenon-returns-babymetal-take-us-inside-their-new-era-only-in-the-new-issue-of-kerrang-magazine/ |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=Kerrang! |language=en |archive-date=12 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512042132/https://www.kerrang.com/the-phenomenon-returns-babymetal-take-us-inside-their-new-era-only-in-the-new-issue-of-kerrang-magazine |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerrang! staff |date=May 11, 2023 |title="My heart and soul is dedicated to Slipknot": A world-exclusive… |url=https://www.kerrang.com/my-heart-and-soul-is-dedicated-to-slipknot-a-world-exclusive-interview-with-clown-only-in-the-new-issue-of-kerrang-magazine/ |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=Kerrang! |language=en |archive-date=15 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515144619/https://www.kerrang.com/my-heart-and-soul-is-dedicated-to-slipknot-a-world-exclusive-interview-with-clown-only-in-the-new-issue-of-kerrang-magazine |url-status=live }}</ref>

===International editions===
[[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|date=October 2022}} ''Kerrang!'' is also published in Spanish and German. Kerrang announced its aim to expand into the US in March 2018.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.musicweek.com/media/read/kerrang-unveils-magazine-redesign-as-editorial-team-expands-and-us-office-opens/071677|title=Kerrang! unveils magazine redesign as editorial team expands and US office opens|access-date=2018-07-18|language=en|archive-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718083846/http://www.musicweek.com/media/read/kerrang-unveils-magazine-redesign-as-editorial-team-expands-and-us-office-opens/071677|url-status=live}}</ref>