Best Sludge Underground Podcasts (2025)

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A Crash Course In Joining The South African Alt/Metal Scene 18:38

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12d ago18:38

18:38

From small dive bars and underground venues to the people keeping the alternative flame alive, this video dives into the heart of South Africa’s alternative and metal scene. We explore the venues, promoters, content creators, and bands that make this community what it is. Whether you’re a fan, a musician, or just curious about the scene, this is yo…

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What No One Tells You About Running Live Sound in South Africa 29:47

20d ago29:47

29:47

This week we're catching up with Savannah Vermaak, A live sound engineer based in Cape Town South Africa. She Goes over experiences working within the scene, the educational content she's creating on her platform, and a behind the scenes look at one of the most important factors in live music, the sound. Explore our exclusive merch store for unique…

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Punks Put On Music For Palestine 34:23

1M ago34:23

34:23

This week we're chatting to Kavesh Vello, The organizer of Music For Palestine, Joined by Berty of the band Necklace. We dive into the motivations behind the event, the bands playing, and the organizations involved. #punkrock #punk #palestine #fundraising #livemusic #giftofthegivers Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality item…

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The Capetonian Metalcore Band Taking ZA By Storm 34:14

1M ago34:14

34:14

n this episode of Sludge Underground Marcel has a chat with Ken of DoomTrigger, 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 #…

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South Africa's Most Explosive Metal Event 23:56

2M ago23:56

23:56

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 Explor…

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The Band That Carried The Flag To Germany 18:38

2M ago18:38

18:38

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, …

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Why Durban Is Always Excluded From South Africa's Biggest Metal Events 18:03

2M ago18:03

18:03

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…

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Why This South African Band Vanished For 12 Years 25:31

2M ago25:31

25:31

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 pu…

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Is this South Africa's Longest Standing Metal Band? 36:14

3M ago36:14

36:14

"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 …

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This South African Band Just Went Viral 29:50

4M ago29:50

29:50

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-qua…

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The Most Anticipated Metal Release In South African Metal? 25:08

4M ago25:08

25:08

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 t…

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The Woman Running African Metal From Behind A Screen 22:25

4M ago22:25

22:25

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 …

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South Africa's Most Insane Metalcore Band 27:58

5M ago27:58

27:58

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 th…

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Argentina's NVLO Prepares For Their First TIme In South Africa 30:54

5M ago30:54

30:54

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 n…

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Is This Durban Band South Africa's Next Big Thing? 16:12

5M ago16:12

16:12

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 big…

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Hi Anxious: South Africa's Genre-Bending Rebels 26:25

5M ago26:25

26:25

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 select…

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Indie Dog's Dream To Become The Best Rock Band In The World 24:33

6M ago24:33

24:33

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 some…

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Why Lower Hollow Members Walked Away: Ash Tells All 25:57

6M ago25:57

25:57

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-shir…

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Die Gemeente: Pretoria's Newest Powerhouse 24:33

6M ago24:33

24:33

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. Explo…

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Has The South African Artist Skill Floor Gotten Higher? 22:17

7M ago22:17

22:17

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 histo…

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Kenya's Irony Destroyed Take On The Wacken Metal Battle Sub-Saharan Africa Finals 28:55

7M ago28:55

28:55

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-qua…

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Botswana Brings Tswanian Black Metal To South Africa 21:56

7M ago21:56

21:56

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-Afr…

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Can One Cape Town Band Take A Hilux To Germany? 36:05

7M ago36:05

36:05

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, …

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What If Wrong Turn Was A Metal Band 20:31

8M ago20:31

20:31

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 styli…

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How This Cape Town Metal Band Is Bending The Genre 22:34

8M ago22:34

22:34

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 bea…