Metal, the music with the most subgenres. Adaptations of heavier music, popularised in South Africa in the previous century, spawning and inspiring unique and mind-grinding bands such as Black Cat Bones, Rhutz, Boargazm, Demogoroth Satanum and many more.
Set by the beautiful freedom and rebellion brought to the scene by legendary vocalist and guitarist; Jack Hammer (Piet Botha). Although they weren’t playing metal at all, they broke the ground and built the foundation for what the metal scene has become in the last decade. Jack Hammer was the opening band for acts such as ZZ top and Uriah Heep, causing their exposure to skyrocket and it made their message of rock n roll even more clear.
There are a lot of opinionated misconceptions about the metal scene, not only in South Africa, but worldwide. This is because of the extreme sound and controversial lyrical content.
Yes, there are dark themes and evil lyrical and visual content, but one should look deeper into the subject matter or no? Metal touches the harsher side of life one does not necessarily embrace and it shouldn’t be considered as such, rather an outlet for that “harsher side of life” in a beautifully chaotic and enjoyable manner. On the other side, there are bands who are blatantly violent or evil for the simple reason of entertainment. It consists of the same kind of aesthetic that thriller novels and movies have… it is an acquired taste of course. Those associated with this particular scene may seem very brute in nature, but rest assured they are the most laid-back and loving people you might ever come across. Ordinary people, with extraordinary views of themselves and the world. – Henco
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