Sludge Underground Podcast

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 s...

Devilnest is a Durban-based entity that runs metal events. It comprises of Myke Taylor & Brynn Huxtable of South African Deathcore giants Your Cynical Sanity. In this video, they talk all things Devilnest and how they aim to get Durban metal events on the map again. Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanie...

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.  #sabretoothba...

"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...

Cantrel are a father/son duo making music together. On this episode we touch on their upcoming EP, ties to Prime Circle, their upcoming South African tour, their music video hitting over 1million views, and a whole lot more. #bandinterview #southafrica #cantrel #primecircle #southafricanband  Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish...

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...

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 pol...

Pretoria boys No Closure recently made it onto the Ramfest lineup consisting of headlining act The Devil Wears Prada in South Africa. We chat about the metalcore/hardcore scene in Pretoria, the diversity in South African live shows, and get their response on what was said about the members during the Lower Hollow episode.  💬 Drop your thoughts on the band in the comments! 🔔 Remember to like, sub...

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 Wack...

From a high school drama studio to the heart of Durban’s underground scene, The Non Fiction has been active since 2018. Starting as a two-piece punk band, they honed their sound at Reverberate events, carving out a space in the local music scene. Now, they're turning it up, taking that punk rock mentality and channeling it into bigger songs for bigger audiences. With raw energy and unstoppabl...

EP392: From the depths of Cape Town’s underground scene, Hi Anxious has emerged with a DIY ethos, a genre-blurring sound, and an uncompromising approach to music. In this episode, we dive into their creative process, the journey behind their debut EP, and what it means to curate every aspect of their art, from hand-crafted merch to carefully selected venues. Blending psychedelia, grunge, emo, hard...

Marcel has a chat with Seb and Dylan of  ⁨@indiedogband⁩ Join in as they chat about the bands love of touring, the stories behind their music videos and their dream to become the best rock band in the world 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 g...

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...

Next in line with catching up with each of the Wacken Metal Battle Sub-Saharan Africa Finalists Marcel has a chat with Die Gemeente's Francios Smith and Tyler Hattingh. Join in as they delve into the formation of the band, their respective histories as seasoned musicians, as well as their experiences working with Vulvodynia's Kris Xenopoulos. Explore our exclusive merch store for unique...

This weeks Wacken Metal Battle Finalist is Hiraeth. A modern melodic metal band from Johannesburg South Africa who are back from a hiatus and ready to take on the South African scene with a new lineup. Join in as we chat about their thoughts on the current skill level of new musicians, their plans moving forward, and delve into a bit of scene history. Explore our exclusive merch store for unique a...

This week Marcel has a chat with Lenny of Irony Destroyed. A metalcore band hailing from Nairobi Kenya. Join in as they chat about the kenyan scene, the challenges they face as an extremely niche genre, as well as being so geographically isolated from the rest of the African metal community.  Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish...

Next up in our line of interviewing each of the Wacken Metal Battle Sub-Saharan Africa finalist we have Raven In Flesh. A Tswanian black metal band hailing from Botswana's legendary metal scene. Join in as Marcel dives into the origins of the band, the challenges they face and the prospect of coming to South Africa to perform at the biggest Pan-African metal event in Africa.  Explore our excl...

Wacken Metal Battle Finalists Halvar share their thoughts on having the chance to represent South Africa at Wacken Open Air in Germany along with the bands origins to get a bar tab at the Aandklas battle of the bands. 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 su...

Ep384: Dive into a chat with the winners of the Room 2 heat of the Wacken Metal Battle Sub-Saharren Africa. Find out how one conceptulizes a hillbilly slam band, How one makes a banjo guitar, and what their experiences have been within the scene.  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 fo...

EP383: Cape Towns Ill System is often described as Linkin Park with bongo's. Join in as they dive into their Origins, style of music, and the manyu injuries their vocalist hass sustained over the course of the bands career.  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....

EP382: It's not often that we as South Africans get insight into our neighbours scenes. Join in as we chat with Namibia's longest standing metal band about their journey leading up to the Wacken Metal Battle Sub-Saharan Africa finals, their thoughts on the competion bands so far, and their view on the state of African metal Overall. #Asnightfades #wackenmetalbattle  #NamibianHeat #Johann...

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 edg...

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...

EP379: In this engaging interview, Qü shares his thoughts on whether Johannesburg remains the entertainment capital of South Africa and discusses the impact of social media on emerging artists. We look at the challenges faced by event promoters in supporting South African musicians and the decline of live shows. Qü also reflects on the albums having a long life span and considers this a dying art....

Marcel had a chat with two members of one of South Africa's newest up and coming bands. Sam and Matt detail the origin of the band as well as their extensive history within the scene.  From the days of Tempo's, Thornsfest, and woodstock to present day Emaylth fest Sam and Matt reminisce on days past but also share hope in the direction the scene is moving and growing.  Share some of your...