<![CDATA[Kerrang!]]>

<![CDATA[Kerrang!]]>Kerrang! is a British weekly magazine devoted to rock and heavy metal music, currently published by Wasted Talent (the same company that owns electronic music publication Mixmag). It was first published on 6 June 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper. Named after the onomatopoeic word that derives from the sound made when playing a power chord on a distorted electric guitar, Kerrang! was initially devoted to the new wave of British heavy metal and the rise of hard rock acts. In the early 2000s it became the best-selling British music weekly.

Kerrang! was founded in 1981. The magazine commenced publication on 6 June 1981 and was edited by Geoff Barton, initially as a one-time supplement in the Sounds newspaper, which focused on the new wave of British heavy metal phenomenon and on the rise of other hard rock acts. Angus Young of AC/DC appeared on Kerrang!’s first cover. Launched as a monthly magazine, Kerrang! began to appear on a fortnightly basis later, and in 1987 it went weekly. The original owner was United Newspapers who then sold it to EMAP in 1991.

During the 1980s and early 1990s the magazine placed many thrash and glam metal acts on the cover, including Mötley Crüe, Slayer, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Poison, and Venom). The term “thrash metal” was first coined in the music press by Kerrang! journalist Malcolm Dome, in reference to the Anthrax song “Metal Thrashing Mad”. Prior to this Metallica’s James Hetfield had referred to their sound as “power metal”. The magazine’s emphasis would change during the 1990s once grunge acts such as Nirvana rose to fame. Kerrang! has at times faced criticism for repeating this process every time a new musical subgenre becomes popular.

Kerrang!’s popularity rose again with the hiring of editor Paul Rees circa 2000 when the nu metal genre, featuring bands including Limp Bizkit and Slipknot, was becoming more popular. Rees went on to edit Q magazine and former Kerrang! reviews editor Ashley Bird was appointed editor from 2003 to 2005. Following his departure, Paul Brannigan took over as editor in May 2005.

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