Metal Episodes

Reegan (Facing The Gallows), Myke (Your Cynical Sanity) and Dwayne (Sunken State) open with mic technique, then dive into bands and albums that inspired them to become metal vocalists. The boys cite bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Slipknot, We Butter The Bread With Butter, Infant Annihilator, and more. Later in the episode: Defending Nickelback, listing underrated bands, calling out overrated bands and vocalists, (Ronnie Radke, 90s vocalists, Cradle Of Filth), picking which South African band t...

This week Marcel sits down with Vulvodynia guitarist Luke Haarhoff to chat about the band and where it's at. Dropping into what's on everyones mind, the open auditons to be Vulvodynia's new vocalist. What are they looking for? Who will take the role and finally free Lwandile from his unending side quest? We get into some tour stories and some of the wildest experiences the band has had, from a close call in Turkey to a wholesome experience in China. Luke also fills us in on Arson Theory, a new m...

From his involvement in the scene as far back as the early 2000s, his roots with prolific bands like The Overmind and Divine Affliction, and his present successes with Imperious Vision, Deven has solidified his place as a local scene legend, at a relatively young age. On this episode we discuss: South African Metal: Whether it's in a better place now than "back in the day" Wacken Metal Battle: We break down Imperious Vision's recent victory at the Durban heat New Music: We get updates on the upc...

Step into the mind of Sunken State frontman Dwayne Hees in this unfiltered episode of Sludge Underground. We look at his journey, having grown up in an Afrikaans household in Rustenburg, starting out as a vocalist before even touching vocals, and his pre-Sunken State days with links to MoshMallow bassist Reinhardt. Dwayne talks about how he met Mat Swanepoel and how Sunken State's OG lineup was formed. The episode also looks at Dwayne's nuanced views of cancel culture within the South African al...

What really happens after Wacken Open Air? In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges South African bands face after representing the country in Germany, and why breaking out internationally isn’t as straightforward as it seems. 🎤 We put YOUR questions directly to Sash, giving you the answers you’ve been waiting for. Plus, we explore what Emalyth and the Wacken Metal Battle South Africa have lined up for 2026, and what it means for the future of heavy music in South Africa If you’re passi...

Ramfest 2025 was everything we’ve been waiting for. From Bongloard’s wild energy and Sunken State’s chaos (gorilla suit included), to Jack Parow proving he absolutely belongs on a heavy lineup, this festival was a full-on celebration of South African alternative and heavy music. Not everything went smoothly, sound issues hit hard during Vulvodynia’s set, but The Narrow and Facing the Gallows brought things right back, setting the stage for an unforgettable headliner: The Devil Wears Prada. For m...

n this episode of Sludge Underground Marcel has a chat with Ken of D oomTrigger, one of Cape Towns most promising Metalcore bands. They dive into the bands formation, the impressive ground they've covered over the bands short time since exploding onto the scene, and the themes and messages behind their music. #doomtrigger #bandinterview #metalcore #capetown #capetownmusic #southafricanmusic #southafricanmetal Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instag...

We're having a chat with Devilnest's Myke Taylor & Brynn Huxtable about their upcoming Durban metal event, Recoil. The event sees Gauteng heavyweights Walk These Skies and Die Gemeente coming down to Durban for what promises to be South Africa's most explosive metal event! #southafricanmetalmusic #sametal #durbanmetal #devilnest #metalevents Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s somethin...

Cape Town thrashers Halvar recently returned from playing one of the biggest metal festivals in the world, Wacken Open Air. Dolf and Daniel share some of their experiences from Germany and the future plans for Halvar. Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener. Show your support and grab your favourite merch today! Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://s...

Devilnest is a Durban-based entity that runs metal events. It comprises of Myke Taylor & Brynn Huxtable of South African Deathcore band Your Cynical Sanity. In this video, they talk all things Devilnest and how they aim to get Durban metal events on the map again. Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground ...

On this episode we sit down with Sabretooth, South Africa's 80s-inspired band, to unpack their 12 year hiatus, and the moment that got them back together. We also touch on their first gig back in Cape Town, and whether or not they'll be releasing music on Spotify given the recent controversy surrounding the platform and other South African bands pulling their music off it. #sabretoothband #southafricanmusic #metalrevival #capetownbands #bandinterview #musicdocumentary #ramfest #synergy...

"Have you ever heard of Mind Assault?" Is one of the most common questions you get when diving into the Cape Town metal scene. We had a sit down with guitarist Patrick and unpack over two decades of the bands history leading up to Nostalgia Indulgia. #mindassualt #bandinterview #metal #southafricanmusic Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener. Show y...

Johannesburg boys Sunken State have a chat with Marcel about their highly anticipated EP Hunting Ghosts, Finding Demons dropping on the 18th of July. Join in as they dive into their process, the story behind the Ep, and the direction the band's moving in. We also touch on their inclusion for the 2025 Ramfest lineup and their thoughts abut sharing the stage with The Devil Wears Prada. 💬 Drop your thoughts on the band in the comments! 🔔 Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more chats ...

In this explosive interview, we dive into how Alana Britz became the digital force behind Emalyth, Metal4Africa, and Wacken Metal Battle Sub-Saharan Africa, helping shape the online identity of Africa’s loudest metal festivals. Lana opens up about: - How she got into running social media for metal institutions - Emalyth’s approach to booking bands and scouting talent - Whether bands need a polished EPK to get booked - Her thoughts on allegations that Wacken Metal Battle favours South African act...

From a nearly disastrous trip to Germany for Wacken Open Air to sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in modern metal, Argentinian Deathcore band @nvlometalofficial are tearing up the scene. Now, this entity is on it's way to bring their absolutely infectious energy to South Africa for two shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg! 📢 How did nearly not being able to play in the Wacken Metal battle potentially serve as the launch point for this bands career? How will they be recieved by Sout...

EP392: We're chatting to Ashley of Lower Hollow on this episode. We're looking at where the band started, band member departures, the future of the band, and more. #sludgeunderground #southafricanband #lowerhollow #southafricanmetalheads Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener. Show your support and grab your favourite merch today! Help us continue making great content...

EP381: Join us as we dive into the world of Nine Refrain, the Durban-based band that just won their Durban Heat and is headed to the Wacken Metal Battle finals in Johannesburg! ️In this exclusive interview, we explore what sets Nine Refrain apart as a unique Durban band, their thoughts on the dominance of Johannesburg's previous winners and how they see their provincial difference as an edge. We also get their views on tough competitors, Walk These Skies, the first thing they plan to do if they ...

EP380: The 2025 Wacken Metal Battle South Africa is underway. Here Marcel catches up with the winners of the second heat Walk These Skies. They share their thoughts on their win, the show, and the prospects of potentially representing South African metal in Germany. Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener. Show your support and grab your favourite merch today! Help us ...

EP368: Meagan chats to Pieter and Daniel from Cape Town’s relentless Death Metal band - The Fallen Prophets . They discuss a decade of happy accidents, surviving the scene and churning out the tjunes. The brutal besties give us epic insights on their band workflow, EP launch deets and what it took to make their first million. If it doesn’t itch, don’t scratch. Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there...

Episode 273: Listen to Marcel have a fanboy meltdown talking to Brandon Pratt of Red Helen Red Helen https://linktr.ee/RedHelen Sludge Underground https://www.sludgeunderground.com Support the show Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://www.sludgeunderground.com/store Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxyLW9b_W81ETvby7J4wmwA Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook...

Episode 197: Marcel had a chat with the lads from Peasant about their new EP. Peasant https://linktr.ee/peasanthc Marcel Smuts www.instagram.com/thorns_of_sludge Sludge Underground https://www.sludgeunderground.com Edit/Mix/Master: Marcel Smuts Support the show (https://paypal.me/sludgeunderground)

Episode 195: Marcel had a chat with the cosmic horror boys of A Nameless Dread. find out more about the band and their music! A Nameless Dread http://dread.band Host Marcel Smuts www.instagram.com/thorns_of_sludge https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_gQdYkteJ2b3Ja-RpikMBA Sludge Underground https://www.sludgeunderground.com Edit/Mix/Master: Nasiphi Zwane Support the show (https://paypal.me/sludgeunderground)

Episode 178: On this episode we’re introducing Nu-Metal band 'Wasted Space' from Buffalo, NY. When we received links to their explosive two track EP titled ‘The Eater’ & brutal ‘Youthanasia’ music video, we had no choice but to chat to the Jeremy (Guitar) & Matt (Vox) about it all. We’ll also be getting their reactions on some of the discoveries they’ve made in the South African Metal scene through some of our older content. Wasted Space https://linktr.ee/WastedSpace Hosts Marcel Smuts www.insta...

Episode 171: On the panel we have the man behind the behind the Pit At The Polo events Matthew Howes, former Facing The Gallows vocalist Bryan Binneman, Photographer & brains behind this episode Byron Bowler & Megalodon/Dream Demon’s Dane Canterbury, all having a discussion about the state SA Metal scene throughout the years. Byron Bowler www.instagram.com/byronbowler www.facebook.com/Blackbirdphotographyza Matt Howes www.instagram.com/mattryanhowes Dane Canterbury www.instagram.com/danecanterbu...