10 African Metal Bands

There is a common myth that black people don’t listen nor like metal and it is a music genre reserved for white people only. Which is probably why metal bands with black leads, especially those originating in Africa are almost never spoken of. It's quite ironic because rock n roll was pioneered by black people, Chuck Berry and Little Richard to name a few. Which then eventually lead to the creation of heavy metal. Though the metal scene in Africa is small, it thrives nevertheless. Here are 10 African Metal Bands you should check out.

1. Wrust

Wrust is a death metal band that originated in Gaborone, Botswana, where metal is pretty niche. The band has been active since 2000 and currently consists of three members; Stux Daemon (guitars and vocals), Lee Raditladin (bass) and Leroy Nyoni (drums).

2. Skinflint

Skinflint was established in 2006 and is also located in Gaborone, Botswana. It has three members; Giuseppe Sbrana (guitar and vocals), Kebonye Nkoloso (bass) and Cosmos Modisaemang (drums). They have fused components from African culture with Heavy Metal music, drawing in the consideration of global media, for example, CNN, Dutch TV, Swedish National Television, BBC and some more. Skinflint give recognition to African spirituality, and folklore, while as yet playing in the vein of Traditional Heavy Metal, this has been viewed as a spearheading case of African Metal.

3. Crackdust

Crackdust is a death metal band from Gaborone, Botswana (surprise surprise) that formed in 2006. Crackdust plays a belligerent style of death metal. Their themes include the undead, hatred and violence. How lovely. Members include; Dlax (drums), Roth (vocals and guitar) and Lee (bass).

4. Overthrust

Overthrust is a death metal band formed in Ghanzi, Botswana in 2008. Their style consists of death, purgatory, false prophets and witchery. Oh, and they wear leather jackets and cowboy hats which pay homage to Lemmy Kilmister. The members are; Beast Thrust (drums), Shalton Spencer Thrust (guitars), Vulture Thrust (vocals), Godfather (guitars) and Dawg Thrust (bass).

5. Before Crush

Before Crush was formed in 2010 in Benguela, Angola. They are a metalcore band which themes consist of personal struggles, war, positive thinking and Angolan history. The three members are Nick Costa (drums), Costinha Cassoma (guitar) and Ladino Cumpanhe (vocals).

6. Sasamaso

Sasamaso is a female-fronted thrash metal band that originated in Antananarivo, Madagascar in 2002. Members include; Kaltz (guitars), Deba (guitars), Rado (bass), Thierry (drums), Ragé (guitars) and Rasah (vocals).

7. Amanaz

Amanaz was a Zamrock (Zambian rock) band established in 1973 in Kitwe, Zambia. Amanaz got inspiration from American and British rock of the late 1960s to mid-1970s, particularly the music of Jimi Hendrix, yet in addition from customary Zambian music. The members were, Keith Kabwe, Isaac Mpofu, John Kanyepa Jerry Mausal and Watson Lungu.

8. Vale of Amonition

Vale of Amonition is a progressive/doom metal band that originated in Kampala, Uganda in 2009. The lyrical themes include dark fantasy, impending doom, occultism and magic. The band has two members Victor Rosewrath (lead guitar and vocals) and Solomon Dust (rhythm guitar and bass).

9. Juggernaught

Juggernaught is a heavy metal band that was formed in 2006, located in Pretoria, South Africa. The band has three members; Angilo (bass), Oneyedog (drums) and All Man (guitars and backing vocals).

10. Dor Fantasma

Dor Fantasma (formerly known as Slave) is a thrash metal band established in Benguela, Angola in 2007. Their songs involve themes of hate, war and inner struggles. The members are Henriques Chitumba (bass and vocals), Gildo Lancelot Costa (drums) and Jayro Cardoso (guitars) .

I hope this short list of mine gives you some insight about the metal world in Africa. Rock on! 🤘🏾