Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer (sometimes written MetalHammer) is a monthly heavy metal and rock music magazine, published in the United Kingdom by Future and in several other countries by different publishers. "Metal Hammer" articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy-metal music. History. London-based Wilfried F. Rimensberger instigated the concept of "MetalHammer" magazine in 1983. At the time, he suggested to the infant "Kerrang!" magazine in London that they should publish a German version, but the editors of the time were not interested. Rimensberger took the idea to Jürgen Wigginghaus, publisher  of German "MusikSzene" magazine where Rimensberger was chief editor, and proposed the idea of a multi-lingual rock music publication. He also approached some of Europe's largest publishers such as Springer, Ringier and Bauer, but none were interested. (Bauer itself later acquired "Kerrang!" via its acquisition of EMAP Consumer Magazines). Eventually, Wigginghaus used the "Dortmunder Rocknacht" as a test ground for the publication in Germany and Rimensberger started the international English version "Metal Hammer" UK from London. He developed the multilingual concept that propelled the magazine to a monthly circulation of over 1 million and, during its peak, published  in 11 different languages across the globe – at the time largely outselling "Kerrang!". "Metal Hammer" had local language editions in Israel, Japan, Serbia, Spain, The Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Hungary, France. "Metal Hammer" was also the first Western youth publication in the Soviet Union. Rimensberger made up the original and, at the time, unique concept of a heavy metal lifestyle magazine which was embedded in a network of "Metal Hammer"-branded multi-national radio shows, awards, tours, festivals, and recordings. This organisation made the publication into the leading genre platform of the 1980s – and the global leader in his segment of the  publishing market. Rimensberger, who started and owned Metalhammer UK Ltd and the registered rights of the name, later sold them to Wigginghaus whilst remaining in the background until the early nineties as an adviser to Wigginghaus. Rimensberger was the promoter of the first Metal Hammer Lorelei Festival, with leading metal acts such as Metallica, Motörhead and Venom. It was he who recommended Metallica to Peter Mensch (AC/DC) for management. Rimensberger also linked the name "Metal Hammer" with other successful brands such as the BBC ("Friday Rock Show" with Tommy Vance), MTV Metal Show with Bailey Brothers and Castle Donington  Monsters of Rock Festival. Harry Doherty, formerly of "Melody Maker", became the launch editor of the English-language "Metal Hammer", also producing the "Metal Hammer" TV show on satellite television. He left to found the video magazine "Hard'n'Heavy", before being asked back by Wigginghaus to take over all the European issues of "Metal Hammer" and other associated magazines, such as "Rock World". In association with Picture Music International, the video arm of EMI Records, Doherty also launched the "Metal Hammer Video Magazine", in direct competition with his earlier creation, "Hard'n'Heavy". Doherty left after a management dispute with Wigginghaus. Harry Doherty 's original personal assistant Sue Powell went on to manage the London-based offices under Wilfried F. Rimensberger. Rimensberger joined the start-up crew of MTV Europe as a consultant to the director of network development. He also became a co-producer of Tom Galley's Phenomena project, organising its worldwide record deal and linking it with some of the best rock musicians and singers. He co-produced with Galley "Dream Runner", Phenomena's best-selling album which has become somewhat of a rock classic, uniting the best rock voices of the time on one studio album. Rimensberger also represented  Stiletto Entertainment Los Angeles in Europe, and produced Nina Corti at the Royal Albert Hall and various TV productions for Swiss, German and UK TV. He is the sourcing producer of Barry Manilow's movie project and Broadway-bound musical "Harmony", the founder of The Children's Arts Academy and the producer of further cross-culture based projects such as 'Europa - The Woman′ and EuropeanIcons. In the 1990s, Wigginghaus lost control over the publication and, advised by Rimensberger, sold the German edition to Jürg Marquart, the publisher of "Penthouse" and "Cosmopolitan" magazines in Germany. Later, Wigginghaus sold the remaining UK  publication to cover personal financial liabilities. "Metal Hammer" Germany was later sold to Axel Springer SE in 1999. With their November 2011 issue, the magazine celebrated "25 years of keeping it heavy". On 19 December 2016, then-"Metal Hammer" owner TeamRock called in the magazine's administrators about a layoff of 73 jobs after experiencing financial difficulties. TeamRock's stable of titles, including "Classic Rock", "Metal Hammer" and "Prog", suspended publication later that same month. On 8 January 2017, however, "Metal Hammer" UK, along with sister magazines "Classic Rock" and "Prog", were bought from TeamRock by their previous owners, Future Publishing , for £800,000. On 27 March 2018, the family of Future's UK consumer music magazines including "Metal Hammer" re-branded and became covered under the umbrella title of Louder (also known as Louder Sound), with loudersound.com serving as the main online portal for the publications. Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards. The Golden Gods Awards were established in 2003 by Chris Ingham from TeamRock.com. The annual ceremony takes place in United Kingdom. Website. The website used to operate at "MetalHammer.co.uk", but now it is part of Louder at loudersound.com/metal-hammer. Metal Hammer in the UK also includes its website and iPhone  application which both feature original and exclusive content from news, reviews and interviews to multimedia and Metal Hammer TV. The Metal Hammer Podcast. The Metal Hammer Podcast was originally presented by James Gill and Terry Bezer and contained "All of the news, headlines, general rantings and reviews" of the week. Gill and Beez coined the phrase "You Clahn" when describing a silly person. As of June 2011, Bezer had left Metal Hammer to pursue work elsewhere, and was replaced on the podcast by stand-up comedian Stephen Hill. Gill also left Metal Hammer on 3 February 2012, the date he  last featured on the podcast. He was replaced on the Podcast by Metal Hammer Deputy Editor at the time Merlin Alderslade. The Podcast has developed a cult following among listeners, with a Facebook page containing over 5000 fans who, at their peak, have been influential in increasing exposure for bands such as britrockers Max Raptor and progressive metal band Bleeding Oath. The podcast was taken off the air in September 2013. Many episodes of the podcast have since been deleted from YouTube and other hosting websites, however a select few are still available to this day. In February 2018, the  podcast rebooted under a new format and with a different cast, featuring Merlin Alderslade, Eleanor Goodman and Luke Morton. Publishers. "Metal Hammer" UK changed hands several times, being bought first by Dennis Publishing and then by Future plc. then by TeamRock, and finally by Future plc again following the collapse of Team Rock Ltd in December 2016. There remain Greek and Italian "Metalhammer" publications, both published independently. Today, Rimensberger is Founding Chairman of The Children's Art Academy CAA in London, is further involved in international magazine publications and is co-producer of Tom Galley's superstar rock music concept  Phenomena and remains producer and director of the related multi-media project Phenomena. Wigginghaus is now publishing a local event publication in Germany. Serbia's edition is published by Color Media Group. It has over 20000 sold copies each month, and magazine covers Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro as well as all other former Yugoslavia republics. In Germany, "Metal Hammer" is published by Axel Springer SE. "Metal Hammer" Portugal was launched for the first time ever in May 2019 under licence from "Metal Hammer" UK (Future plc), in digital format and in the Portuguese language. The mission to champion heavy metal within  Portugal was taken up by Joel Costa and Diogo Ferreira.