Hi Keisha, I am the one of the Original Members for Mind Assault (Cape Town Based) and I can tell you that "life happens" for sure. These gigs vs day Jobs can put a lot of strain on your life and relationships and at the end of the day one has to make an informed decision. SA Metal Bands don't really get noticed properly through local channels and "making it" is extremely rare. One of the reasons I called it a day was for a better life for my family and myself, BUT that has never stopped me from doing what I love creatively. So, I have my little TH-cam channel where I post covers of bands that has influenced me throughout the years, and I can still be creative without the excess problems. We (Mind Assault) performed at MANY of the clubs that sadly are no more and are mentioned here in the comments, but there will always be a next generation of MetalHeads carrying the torch. It is the way of the world!!
That is awesome at least you stil have the creative outlet and can do it on your own time essentially and don't have 4 other schedules to consider. 😃 Yeah it is sad but I think knowing you shared a pocket of the past with some people is comforting, they know what you mean when you say the venue was special. Moving forward I hope I can have the same/simialar attachment to the newer venues. ☺
I miss Klein Libertas in Stellenbosch. The original venue for Metal4Africa events. Some amazing show were held there and then it burnt down unfortunately
I miss Gandalfs. Place stayed open for 19 years. It was a mainstay for local metal in Cape Town. Nowadays, the Cape Town heavy music scene is basically wherever Peasant plays. Those okes are single-handedly keeping the Cape Town scene alive.
The Fallen Prophets also have their 10 year anniversary show at Daisy Jones Bar in Stellenbosch on the 9th of November! I will unfortunately be missing this one, I have another show that same evening at District. Savage Lucy, OhGod, KOI and New Earth will be performing at ProgsCape. :)
Rad video as always! As a musician what you said about the venues closing, that hit me the hardest. We had so many options here in Cape Town. A lot of then were pretty skrop venues too, but you know I spent my 20s in these and made a lot of good memories. As long as there a places to play, we'll keep jamming!
Thanks Ruan!! I never got to experience mercury, I hear so many good things so that's a bummer.😆I love a skrop venue, having variety is cool though because now we have town venues and Daisy Jones as the nice venue. Its awesome.
Seeing "Fit For A King" play live at the old Rumours is still one of my best memories. That wall of death for "DeathGrip" was genuinely insane! Just glad Sognage is still repping the scene, and guys like Sunken State and Middlegrounds are doing the work. Sad that Vulvodynia don't do many local shows anymore either.
I went to fit for a king show at sundowners, that was also incredibly epic! Another venue we have lost! haha Yeah Sognage is great I enjoyed going there, Rumours is still putting shows on as well! So yeah at least there are venues but nothing beats the nostalgic attachment to a venue! 😆 Fingers crossed we get a vulvo SA tour soon! 🤞🤞
@@marcelsmuts2197 YES!! Super sick show!! Damn they are so entertaining!! Being the shortie that I am, some tall oke was in front of me the whole time at sundowners so I couldn't see most of the show but I still had a damn good time. 😝
An odd thing I experience as someone who actually works directly with a bunch of local and international bands on their album art is just how many epic bands lack any footprint online. I've been to tons of shows where I'll discover a brand new rock band only to find they don't have a single album available on any streaming sites. Making music is expensive as hell, sure, but I still have CD's from tiny bands that recorded their music completely independently back in the early-ish 2000's. With how accessible recording software is these days you'd think smaller bands would make more of an effort to actually put their craft out there... The days of relying on local venues to fund one's music is long behind us unfortunately, and I often feel that the biggest thing keeping a lot of new, smaller local acts confined to their bubbles is complacency. The loss of iconic venues that used to be synonymous with the local rock scene has also been such a massive tragedy. It genuinely broke my heart when I watched local punk legends, Misled have their final show in KZN at a goddamn pizza restaurant that does it's business outside of a tiny school... I remember leaving the venue and noticing the parking area surrounded by prostitutes and dealers and it left such a disgusting taste in my mouth. I used to be stoked to go to shows at venues like the Winston... but since the closure I honestly can't bring myself to go to spaces like Aces Pizza or Westville Warehouse when they feel so goddamn dangerous. At least the folks in Joburg/Pretoria have a wealth of options to choose from. I'd indulge in every show you could possisbly see if I were you folks! Our country has some of the coolest talent there... bands like Ruff Majik, Sunken State and Acid Magus could stand shoulder to shoulder- if not rise above- just about any other rock/metal act from across the world... they just need the opportunity to do so. The 'business' of making rock music is extremely hard this side. Alt music of any kind in SA is a niche product with a very small community of potential buyers. More of our local acts need to push their music beyond our shores and grow audiences in countries that have an abundance of love for heavier music.
The only show I managed to attend was Iron Maiden in Jo burg, its sad that that we wont get to experience that again.. I envy the vibes of the gigs, you meet so many like minded people :')
The "Losing venues" really resonated with me. Been a metalhead for over 25 years now, and I have never seen a community quite like the Eye of Horus crowd in Bellville. Haven't been able to find another place where I feel like I belong since, either. PS: I also met my wife there 16 years ago :D
@@KeeshKush This exactly. I have so many memories of that place that I will never forget, and also so many nights Iwill never remember. What made the place so special is that, underneath all the metal themed black decor and heavy metal blasting on the speakers, at its core it was just a regular pub like any other, where the staff and locals just happen to be metalheads.
man i missed the whole era of eye of horus, i never made it to it... had to hear from a non metal head friend how weird it was... and man, i missed out
@@jonathanbrown560 a non-metalhead friend insisted on going there with me once. Was a hillarious experience. The moment we walked in, he saw all the people dressed in metal attire etc. and his facial expression told me that he feels like running away before he gets sacrificed to satan or something. He was wearing a white rip curl T-shirt, which made him stand out like a sore thumb. All my buddies there were just acting like regular people do at any pub, and they tried to make him feel welcome. An hour or two later he was headbanging with us on the floor. Was amazing! The DJs, the bartenders, the locals, everybody there was just awesome. I miss that place so, so much.
Camping at Wolmer was always amazing, I miss that place, and I am still annoyed at the cancelation of the Judas Priest show. You raised some excellent points \m/
venues like Wynberg Sports Club, Gandalfs, ROAR, Klein Libertas Theatre... camping RAMFEST at Nekkies, proper Oppi... all ages shows Bands like Betray the Emissary, Enmity, The Horrorcast, The Broken Result, Day Turns Night, The Doppler Effect, Dead Will Tell
Shjoe, that is a lot!! Wish I could wave a wand and make it happen!! I don't think we will ever get those things back especially the camping ramfest a proper oppi, I just wonder why! What needs to change in order to make it happen😆
Man, that Core Hay Day part hit me in feels.....Back in the days of The Dead Will Tell, Kill The Messenger, Facing The Gallows, Enmity, Betray the Emissary, The Doppler Effect.....right in the feels ❤Also, if I could hop in a time machine and go watch Red Helen and Your Name in Neon, I would do it at least once a weekend......two SA GOATs in my opinion. The venues piece also wrecks my soul 😔
@marcelsmuts2197 Dude, they were something special. Such rad dudes, always loved hanging out with them and they were one of the first bands in the scene that I knew of who played with a click live.
Hey Keisha, you listed all three bands I really miss! My last DeamHorth show was at Rumours Lounge at Cresta Mall. I really miss the OG Sundowners Alberton shows, also where I watched my first Red Helen set. My greatest international Metal heartbreak was when As I Lay Dying cancelled their RamFest 2013 show.. I also moved to Cape Town and I'm really impressed with the bands and the scene this side!
Great video and agree with all of it. I was lucky enough to go to one of the camping Ramfests, and it was amazing to see Trivium and Killswitch Engage 😍 I think one of the main driving factors is that people grow up. They stop doing band stuff because life gets too hectic (work, immigration, children etc.). I'm quite convinced that if there was some type of reunion show where all the O.G's were invited, most of them wouldn't be able to make it.
Camping Ramfest sounds like it was the greatest thing ever! That had some heavy hitters! You are so lucky! 😄 Yeah I mean it is completely understandable things change and life happens, but at least now we are living in a time where there are music videos, youtube videos and gig videos (if you are lucky) of bands so if they do call it quits there's something on the internet for me to return to. Grateful for that at least!😃
Losing venues sucks, especially when we have so few as is. I swear if I ever strike it rich, I'm opening a live venue. Original Rumours was amazing, my wife and I were regulars there, such good memories. Rumours hasn't been the same since. We were at the last camping Ramfest with Killswitch, Trivium and Biffy Clyro. Rain sucks lol Anyone know if Gandalfs in CT still exists? That place was a literal hole in the wall but I loved the venue.
Yeah, the original rumours was special. Very hard to replace, it just had this vibe that didn't transfer to the other venues. I am sure people who don't know the original rumours don't feel that way though. 😆
I was so amped to chelsea grin... but then they had a visa issue for their drummer pablo, so hence they had to cancel the tour.... i was so fucking bummed out... like ... as a guitarist myself... its hard to even get a band started because like people nowadays shy away from hard commitments
Yeah was quite unfortunate I mean I understand things happen but yeah would have been epic if we got to see Chelsea Grin! Damn. Finding 4 people who have the same commitment and drive as you is challenging I can imagine, shame man. I hope you come right!
I miss Motherfudd from way back. Open air festival, big venue, loads of amazing local bands, multiple stages, and it was such a great vibe back then. I also miss when bands used to still play at Doors (Edenvale), and downstairs at Dragon's Lounge. I mentioned this in a comment but old Zepplins in Pretorious street was also absolutely epic. I think the scene might have just been a lot bigger back then.
It really seems that the scene was bigger, the days I started going to shows don't know if its just the perspective I had but the scene did seem bigger. 🤔 Maybe people who went to shows then are too busy with life and don't go to shows anymore.😄So does that mean newer generations arent as interested? I don't know so many questions.😆
Saw I See Stars at Rumours in Cresta. Probably one of my all time favorite live performances I attended. If I remember correctly they didn't plan on playing 'Murder Mitten', but the entire crowd started chanting it when they were basically done and they decided to do it anyway. Got to see Asking Alexandria, Crown the Empire, Eskimo Callboy and Secrets in Joburg, as well as Our Last Night in Pretoria... I think Facing the Gallows opened for basically all of them. Wonderful times. To quote Andy from The Office: "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days, before you've actually left them."
That is the absolute best quote !! Damn, I can't belive I missed the now Electric callboy and AA!! I was at all the other shows, there have been some EPIC shows over the years.😍
The Winston closing was the end of an era in Durban. Was the last dedicated music venue in the city and playing its farewell show was an emotional experience. OG rumours was where i played my first ever shoiw!
I mean I havent been to a show in Durbs and I know about how loved the Winston was, it's quite interesting how attached you get to a venue. OG rumours was a vibe, what I loved about it is that it was just the regular hang out spot for so many people, and then the scene gets supported and gains new people because of it. That is how I stumbled on it and a few people I knew as well. It was magical ( I might be a bit biased based on emotional attachment lol )
Tempos was a massive catalyst for bands to grow. 3 stages, every weekend a "fest" consisting of upwards of 60 bands spread across the stages. It then closed down and set forth a chain reaction to essentially kill off the "fest" meta that was silently fueling bands and forging new ones. And the scene has still to this day never recovered to that level. Such is life tho. Every lineup had the greats at the time like FTG, Dead Will Tell, Deane Crescent, Warthane, Unforsaken Truth etc. Cape Town is VERY different scene wise and sadly size wise. As the economy got worse the venue's simply weighed the pros and cons and had no other choice. Tempos was PIVOTAL to the development of the SA metal scene ESPECIALLY during the birth of the late 2000s deathcore metalcore era. Tempos closed down like 2010 I think. Love the fact you making videos talking about things like this. Its nothing but net win by starting a discussion and rustling some jimmies.
Would we even have enough bands to fill up a whole weekend, I mean maybe if it included other genres but metal alone, wow talk about being spoilt for choice. 😎 Yeah I found the scene around 2013ish so I totally missed that, hoping better days are ahead - I guess we will have to wait and see. 🤞🤞
dude this makes me sad too, the east rand used to be a metal hub. The Black Dahlia, Knight and Dragon, Doors, Boston Rock Lounge, Asylum. But there are some new places I haven't explored like Bailey's in Bedfordview but man I was in high school in Edenvale during the Guns Go Bang 1610 era.
Yeah I do feel like nostalgic attachments to old venues kinda doesn't do the new venues justice. Its kinda like a breakup, you gotta get over your "ex" and give the new girl a proper chance. 😆
Facing the Gallows has to be one of my fav bands to watch live, always so much fun!! I missed the Dahlia show and I am so sad about that, you are really lucky you experienced that! 😃
I'm sad that we will never have another Witchfest. Witchfest 2015 was the greatest metal event in South African history. I'm also sad that I never got to see bands like Neshamah, Theatre Runs Red, The Broken Result, Betray The Emissary and The Horror Cast. Us PE and Durban people would also like if shows weren't just exclusive to Joburg and could touring bands visit us too, please 🥺 Such a great topic, by the way 💜
Thank you for watching my dude! Yeah there are so many bands I wish I could have seen and venues I didn't get to go to. It is quite sad! Making new memories I am more conscious of the fact that things can change at any moment so making the most of bands and venues now is probably best. 😇
Witchfest was amazing. Really one of a kind for this country. I literally couldn't believe how many bands were playing I would have killed to see, that I would have travelled overseas to see, and they were all on our doorstep and for a crazy reasonable price. Witchdocter Productions even said 'there will never be another Witchfest in SA, at least not that size, with that level of bands, and for that price'. I'm so glad I caught it, it reminded me of Motherfudd from back in the day but on a giant scale.
@@KeeshKush yeah dude. We have such a great thriving scene at the moment and it's being so well supported. I'm honestly happy to see how it has changed and grown
I remember back in the days, my friend was in a band called "War in the waiting" and they played a lot at Gandolf's in Cape Town. I remember they asked me to start a pit and it was the first pit I was ever in (got hit with an elbow, bleeding nose but i was having a good time) unfortunately the move of time has taken its toll on his band and broke up but we had an awesome awesome time. I wish I could back and go more crazy at Gandolf's. I pray that we have a much bigger metal scene in Cape Town, it would be great to go to such an event again.
@@knightartorias7864 What kind of metal do you enjoy? I think following @metal4africa on social media is great start they post about a lot of events. Otherwise following bands you like is your next best bet.
@KeeshKush I mainly grew up on nu metal bands, we all know them so I'm still enjoying them. Linkin Park, limp bizkit, static-x, disturbed, godsmack etc. I'll check out metal4africa
It sucks to see that bands are calling it quits or taking breaks and how it feels like a changing of the old guard. I didn't know Red Helen called it quits so that's a bummer. I do think that the internet band and studio band routes will end up becoming more of a valid option as time passes. Though I am a bit biased since that's my approach and I am doing solo stuff so it's easier for me to adopt said approach. I would definitely like to find more local modern metal/metalcore bands from here. Bands that are pulling from peeps like Bad Omens/BMTH, Sleep Token, Architects, Northlane, etc. Maybe even some post hardcore bands like Valiant Hearts and DGD.
I actually spoke to the guitarist of Red Helen, Erick after recording this video and he said they do want to give making music a try even though they are all in different countries around the world so we might still get some things from them in the future! But as for live performance highly unlikely. Shjoe more modern metal bands would totally tickle my fancy. 😆
@@KeeshKush well that's one way to back up my statement XD. Multinational bands are becoming more popular. I mean we got Slaughter to Prevail, Infant Annihilator, Shrezzers, Save Us and Galleons and Valiant Hearts showing us that it is possible. And some of them don't tour or barely even tour and have a form of success. I mean, Galleons made an AOTY contender personally speaking and I doubt they all got together and I doubt that they've ever had a band practice together. Internet and studio bands. Not the future but will sure as hell be a lot more attractive in the coming years. Well, I am working on making something that would be modern metal so hopefully I can fill that niche.
Back in 2011 I went for my first show at Sundowners, because my boyfriend at the time was playing a gig - one of the guitarists for Apart from Your Cliché. It was in the middle of those metalcore hey days, and it was ✨️glorious✨️ 🥲
ooof!! I am Jealous!! We have also lost sundowners!! Forgot about that, if Kranked up was to happen again they would probably need a new venue! There are so many things locally that you kinda just had to be around to experience otherwise you miss it, You are really lucky you experienced the metalcore hey day!
@KeeshKush i agree! Possibly Sognage. It's so sad 😞 because it used to be generally close enough for everyone... it just isn't the same 😔 We even lost Wolmer, which was just as amazing
@@marilizecombrinck5591 Yoh! Wolmer was a vibe, I had so much fun there! Damn, we have actually lost a lot over the years 😅 Yeah Kranked at Sognage will not be the same AT ALL! the cool part about it was it was open air and a great start to summer. Always great weather around Sept. Damn lets see if we even get Kranked again!
I really miss The Winston in Durbz. That closed down. I moved to Pretoria and Wolmer was amazing, and that shut down as well... Tragic. I have to drive way too far to get to a gig...
They are also inactive unfortunately, I know the vocalist and guitarist moved to the UK. The guitarist is in Infanteria and i know they play a show every time Chris comes back to SA. But as for Zombies I don't see anything happening there, can hope for it though!
There is another channel, Tankthetech, he reacts to new music, mostly metal, he also sometimes listen to unsigned bands. Maybe some SA bands can send their stuff to him. He is also tour manager for Electric Callboy.
I have seen some of his videos! Dope Channel!! Didnt know he was a tour manager for Electric Callboy! That is cool. Yeah Nik Nokturnal does a similar thing, will have to look into how you actually submit for something like that.
Amorphis cancelling SA tour really made me upset but the rand value tanked hard because some politician opened their mouth at the time so it didn't make financial sense for the organiser. Last Rammfest I went to was with Killswitch and Trivium which was amazing. Since moving to UK I experienced Download and it was the best weekend of my life.
Ooof!! you have access to the best of the best in the UK! I hope you have been taking advantage of your access!! Down here in SA I feel deprived of big shows! hahaha
on bands cancelling... nothing hurt like as i lay dying in 2013... yoh i was inconsolable when they pulled out. I did go and see bring me play nonetheless and had an amazing time but I never got to see as i lay dying with nick on guitar who is a personal hero of mine
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Hi Keisha, I am the one of the Original Members for Mind Assault (Cape Town Based) and I can tell you that "life happens" for sure. These gigs vs day Jobs can put a lot of strain on your life and relationships and at the end of the day one has to make an informed decision. SA Metal Bands don't really get noticed properly through local channels and "making it" is extremely rare. One of the reasons I called it a day was for a better life for my family and myself, BUT that has never stopped me from doing what I love creatively. So, I have my little TH-cam channel where I post covers of bands that has influenced me throughout the years, and I can still be creative without the excess problems. We (Mind Assault) performed at MANY of the clubs that sadly are no more and are mentioned here in the comments, but there will always be a next generation of MetalHeads carrying the torch. It is the way of the world!!
That is awesome at least you stil have the creative outlet and can do it on your own time essentially and don't have 4 other schedules to consider. 😃
Yeah it is sad but I think knowing you shared a pocket of the past with some people is comforting, they know what you mean when you say the venue was special.
Moving forward I hope I can have the same/simialar attachment to the newer venues. ☺
I miss Klein Libertas in Stellenbosch. The original venue for Metal4Africa events. Some amazing show were held there and then it burnt down unfortunately
I think Mercury, Gandalfs and Klein Libertas are venues that constantly come up in conversation in CPT. Wish I could have experienced it! 🥲
my first live metal show was Facing The Gallows earlier this year and i got a hoodie
FTG is definitely a great introduction to SA metal
Think I remember seeing them at Aandklas back in the day. Miss just wandering into Aandklas on a sunday and finding a random metal band.
I miss Gandalfs. Place stayed open for 19 years. It was a mainstay for local metal in Cape Town. Nowadays, the Cape Town heavy music scene is basically wherever Peasant plays. Those okes are single-handedly keeping the Cape Town scene alive.
Peasant are doing really well for sure! They are throwing a 10 year bash in December a whole 10 years of Peasant! Very excited for that!
The Fallen Prophets also have their 10 year anniversary show at Daisy Jones Bar in Stellenbosch on the 9th of November! I will unfortunately be missing this one, I have another show that same evening at District. Savage Lucy, OhGod, KOI and New Earth will be performing at ProgsCape. :)
Rad video as always! As a musician what you said about the venues closing, that hit me the hardest. We had so many options here in Cape Town. A lot of then were pretty skrop venues too, but you know I spent my 20s in these and made a lot of good memories. As long as there a places to play, we'll keep jamming!
Thanks Ruan!! I never got to experience mercury, I hear so many good things so that's a bummer.😆I love a skrop venue, having variety is cool though because now we have town venues and Daisy Jones as the nice venue. Its awesome.
I remember a couple of people talking about a place called Gandalfs, Apparently that was just one of those places to be
@@marcelsmuts2197 I have also heard so much about Gandalfs and how siff but wonderful it was 😂
Great vid! I miss Poverty Of Ideals. They were an awesome band!
They have come up as a fav a bunch! I see they have a whole album on TH-cam, that's sick. Listening to it now!😃
The festivals I was in a band called doicees of oblivion in 1999 to 2001 thank you girl
Seeing "Fit For A King" play live at the old Rumours is still one of my best memories. That wall of death for "DeathGrip" was genuinely insane! Just glad Sognage is still repping the scene, and guys like Sunken State and Middlegrounds are doing the work. Sad that Vulvodynia don't do many local shows anymore either.
I went to fit for a king show at sundowners, that was also incredibly epic! Another venue we have lost! haha
Yeah Sognage is great I enjoyed going there, Rumours is still putting shows on as well! So yeah at least there are venues but nothing beats the nostalgic attachment to a venue! 😆
Fingers crossed we get a vulvo SA tour soon! 🤞🤞
Fit For A King were in SA???
@@marcelsmuts2197 YES!! Super sick show!! Damn they are so entertaining!! Being the shortie that I am, some tall oke was in front of me the whole time at sundowners so I couldn't see most of the show but I still had a damn good time. 😝
When I was 12, Iron Maiden came to Joburg, my mom wouldn't let me go... Never got over it.
An odd thing I experience as someone who actually works directly with a bunch of local and international bands on their album art is just how many epic bands lack any footprint online. I've been to tons of shows where I'll discover a brand new rock band only to find they don't have a single album available on any streaming sites. Making music is expensive as hell, sure, but I still have CD's from tiny bands that recorded their music completely independently back in the early-ish 2000's. With how accessible recording software is these days you'd think smaller bands would make more of an effort to actually put their craft out there...
The days of relying on local venues to fund one's music is long behind us unfortunately, and I often feel that the biggest thing keeping a lot of new, smaller local acts confined to their bubbles is complacency.
The loss of iconic venues that used to be synonymous with the local rock scene has also been such a massive tragedy. It genuinely broke my heart when I watched local punk legends, Misled have their final show in KZN at a goddamn pizza restaurant that does it's business outside of a tiny school... I remember leaving the venue and noticing the parking area surrounded by prostitutes and dealers and it left such a disgusting taste in my mouth. I used to be stoked to go to shows at venues like the Winston... but since the closure I honestly can't bring myself to go to spaces like Aces Pizza or Westville Warehouse when they feel so goddamn dangerous.
At least the folks in Joburg/Pretoria have a wealth of options to choose from. I'd indulge in every show you could possisbly see if I were you folks! Our country has some of the coolest talent there... bands like Ruff Majik, Sunken State and Acid Magus could stand shoulder to shoulder- if not rise above- just about any other rock/metal act from across the world... they just need the opportunity to do so.
The 'business' of making rock music is extremely hard this side. Alt music of any kind in SA is a niche product with a very small community of potential buyers. More of our local acts need to push their music beyond our shores and grow audiences in countries that have an abundance of love for heavier music.
The only show I managed to attend was Iron Maiden in Jo burg, its sad that that we wont get to experience that again.. I envy the vibes of the gigs, you meet so many like minded people :')
The "Losing venues" really resonated with me. Been a metalhead for over 25 years now, and I have never seen a community quite like the Eye of Horus crowd in Bellville. Haven't been able to find another place where I feel like I belong since, either.
PS: I also met my wife there 16 years ago :D
Wow that is so special!! 😭
Yeah it really sucks and when new people come into your life its like a part of you that you aren't able to share.
I second this. Eye of Horus was such a vibe. Had some epic times there
@@KeeshKush This exactly. I have so many memories of that place that I will never forget, and also so many nights Iwill never remember.
What made the place so special is that, underneath all the metal themed black decor and heavy metal blasting on the speakers, at its core it was just a regular pub like any other, where the staff and locals just happen to be metalheads.
man i missed the whole era of eye of horus, i never made it to it... had to hear from a non metal head friend how weird it was... and man, i missed out
@@jonathanbrown560 a non-metalhead friend insisted on going there with me once. Was a hillarious experience. The moment we walked in, he saw all the people dressed in metal attire etc. and his facial expression told me that he feels like running away before he gets sacrificed to satan or something. He was wearing a white rip curl T-shirt, which made him stand out like a sore thumb.
All my buddies there were just acting like regular people do at any pub, and they tried to make him feel welcome. An hour or two later he was headbanging with us on the floor. Was amazing!
The DJs, the bartenders, the locals, everybody there was just awesome. I miss that place so, so much.
I think my most heartbreaking thing is accepting smaller overseas bands coming to SA😭
Camping at Wolmer was always amazing, I miss that place, and I am still annoyed at the cancelation of the Judas Priest show. You raised some excellent points \m/
Yesss!! Wolmer was so great!! 🥺
venues like Wynberg Sports Club, Gandalfs, ROAR, Klein Libertas Theatre... camping RAMFEST at Nekkies, proper Oppi... all ages shows
Bands like Betray the Emissary, Enmity, The Horrorcast, The Broken Result, Day Turns Night, The Doppler Effect, Dead Will Tell
Shjoe, that is a lot!! Wish I could wave a wand and make it happen!!
I don't think we will ever get those things back especially the camping ramfest a proper oppi, I just wonder why! What needs to change in order to make it happen😆
Man, that Core Hay Day part hit me in feels.....Back in the days of The Dead Will Tell, Kill The Messenger, Facing The Gallows, Enmity, Betray the Emissary, The Doppler Effect.....right in the feels ❤Also, if I could hop in a time machine and go watch Red Helen and Your Name in Neon, I would do it at least once a weekend......two SA GOATs in my opinion. The venues piece also wrecks my soul 😔
I would need to make use of that time machine as well. 😆 You really don't know how good you have it until its gone 🥲
I heard so much about Your Name In Neon but they were already gone by the time i got involved in the local scene🥲
@@KeeshKush I will come fetch you, no worries 😂
@marcelsmuts2197 Dude, they were something special. Such rad dudes, always loved hanging out with them and they were one of the first bands in the scene that I knew of who played with a click live.
Hey Keisha, you listed all three bands I really miss! My last DeamHorth show was at Rumours Lounge at Cresta Mall. I really miss the OG Sundowners Alberton shows, also where I watched my first Red Helen set. My greatest international Metal heartbreak was when As I Lay Dying cancelled their RamFest 2013 show.. I also moved to Cape Town and I'm really impressed with the bands and the scene this side!
Mercury Live here in Cape Town was apparently a vibe but I never got a chance to experience them, they closed down in 2020...
Dude! Animals as leaders cancelling hurts me till today - Intervals was great though.
Yeah I really enjoyed Intervals as well! But seeing Animals as Leaders? total bucket list band!
Sepultura at a school hall-like venue in Bothasig/Panorama was my fav venue/show ever..
Wow! That must have been epic!! 😃😃
what I really love about SA is that yes the scene is small but it makes for intimate epic shows with big bands!
Great video and agree with all of it. I was lucky enough to go to one of the camping Ramfests, and it was amazing to see Trivium and Killswitch Engage 😍
I think one of the main driving factors is that people grow up. They stop doing band stuff because life gets too hectic (work, immigration, children etc.). I'm quite convinced that if there was some type of reunion show where all the O.G's were invited, most of them wouldn't be able to make it.
Camping Ramfest sounds like it was the greatest thing ever! That had some heavy hitters! You are so lucky! 😄
Yeah I mean it is completely understandable things change and life happens, but at least now we are living in a time where there are music videos, youtube videos and gig videos (if you are lucky) of bands so if they do call it quits there's something on the internet for me to return to. Grateful for that at least!😃
Being from bloem. I loved the metal scene. The problem was that people just didnt show up for shows. But the handful that did made it amazing
I really wonder if that is from lack of interest or just not knowing about shows.🤔
Losing venues sucks, especially when we have so few as is. I swear if I ever strike it rich, I'm opening a live venue. Original Rumours was amazing, my wife and I were regulars there, such good memories. Rumours hasn't been the same since.
We were at the last camping Ramfest with Killswitch, Trivium and Biffy Clyro. Rain sucks lol
Anyone know if Gandalfs in CT still exists? That place was a literal hole in the wall but I loved the venue.
Rain sucked, but that weekend made memories for life!
Yeah, the original rumours was special. Very hard to replace, it just had this vibe that didn't transfer to the other venues. I am sure people who don't know the original rumours don't feel that way though. 😆
I miss Zeplins and what eventually became Rockshack
People do speak highly of Zeplins, I really missed out 🥲
The old Zepplins though, on Pretorious street. Epic venue. Multi levelled, 5 dance floors, catered to the entire alt scene
@@Ramlessness jip. I DJ'ed there
I was so amped to chelsea grin... but then they had a visa issue for their drummer pablo, so hence they had to cancel the tour.... i was so fucking bummed out... like ... as a guitarist myself... its hard to even get a band started because like people nowadays shy away from hard commitments
Yeah was quite unfortunate I mean I understand things happen but yeah would have been epic if we got to see Chelsea Grin! Damn.
Finding 4 people who have the same commitment and drive as you is challenging I can imagine, shame man. I hope you come right!
Metalcore ......So happy Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium are still around
The greatest of all time🔥
I miss Motherfudd from way back. Open air festival, big venue, loads of amazing local bands, multiple stages, and it was such a great vibe back then. I also miss when bands used to still play at Doors (Edenvale), and downstairs at Dragon's Lounge. I mentioned this in a comment but old Zepplins in Pretorious street was also absolutely epic. I think the scene might have just been a lot bigger back then.
It really seems that the scene was bigger, the days I started going to shows don't know if its just the perspective I had but the scene did seem bigger. 🤔
Maybe people who went to shows then are too busy with life and don't go to shows anymore.😄So does that mean newer generations arent as interested? I don't know so many questions.😆
Saw I See Stars at Rumours in Cresta. Probably one of my all time favorite live performances I attended. If I remember correctly they didn't plan on playing 'Murder Mitten', but the entire crowd started chanting it when they were basically done and they decided to do it anyway. Got to see Asking Alexandria, Crown the Empire, Eskimo Callboy and Secrets in Joburg, as well as Our Last Night in Pretoria... I think Facing the Gallows opened for basically all of them. Wonderful times.
To quote Andy from The Office: "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days, before you've actually left them."
That is the absolute best quote !!
Damn, I can't belive I missed the now Electric callboy and AA!! I was at all the other shows, there have been some EPIC shows over the years.😍
The Winston closing was the end of an era in Durban. Was the last dedicated music venue in the city and playing its farewell show was an emotional experience.
OG rumours was where i played my first ever shoiw!
I mean I havent been to a show in Durbs and I know about how loved the Winston was, it's quite interesting how attached you get to a venue.
OG rumours was a vibe, what I loved about it is that it was just the regular hang out spot for so many people, and then the scene gets supported and gains new people because of it. That is how I stumbled on it and a few people I knew as well. It was magical ( I might be a bit biased based on emotional attachment lol )
Tempos was a massive catalyst for bands to grow. 3 stages, every weekend a "fest" consisting of upwards of 60 bands spread across the stages. It then closed down and set forth a chain reaction to essentially kill off the "fest" meta that was silently fueling bands and forging new ones. And the scene has still to this day never recovered to that level. Such is life tho. Every lineup had the greats at the time like FTG, Dead Will Tell, Deane Crescent, Warthane, Unforsaken Truth etc. Cape Town is VERY different scene wise and sadly size wise. As the economy got worse the venue's simply weighed the pros and cons and had no other choice. Tempos was PIVOTAL to the development of the SA metal scene ESPECIALLY during the birth of the late 2000s deathcore metalcore era. Tempos closed down like 2010 I think.
Love the fact you making videos talking about things like this. Its nothing but net win by starting a discussion and rustling some jimmies.
Would we even have enough bands to fill up a whole weekend, I mean maybe if it included other genres but metal alone, wow talk about being spoilt for choice. 😎
Yeah I found the scene around 2013ish so I totally missed that, hoping better days are ahead - I guess we will have to wait and see. 🤞🤞
dude this makes me sad too, the east rand used to be a metal hub. The Black Dahlia, Knight and Dragon, Doors, Boston Rock Lounge, Asylum. But there are some new places I haven't explored like Bailey's in Bedfordview but man I was in high school in Edenvale during the Guns Go Bang 1610 era.
Yeah I do feel like nostalgic attachments to old venues kinda doesn't do the new venues justice. Its kinda like a breakup, you gotta get over your "ex" and give the new girl a proper chance. 😆
The Black Dahlia in Doosburg! First time seeing Facing the Gallows there, epics times. Closed down in 2013 🥺
Facing the Gallows has to be one of my fav bands to watch live, always so much fun!! I missed the Dahlia show and I am so sad about that, you are really lucky you experienced that! 😃
@@KeeshKush Agreed, they always bring a party
I'm sad that we will never have another Witchfest. Witchfest 2015 was the greatest metal event in South African history.
I'm also sad that I never got to see bands like Neshamah, Theatre Runs Red, The Broken Result, Betray The Emissary and The Horror Cast.
Us PE and Durban people would also like if shows weren't just exclusive to Joburg and could touring bands visit us too, please 🥺
Such a great topic, by the way 💜
Thank you for watching my dude! Yeah there are so many bands I wish I could have seen and venues I didn't get to go to. It is quite sad! Making new memories I am more conscious of the fact that things can change at any moment so making the most of bands and venues now is probably best. 😇
Witchfest was amazing. Really one of a kind for this country. I literally couldn't believe how many bands were playing I would have killed to see, that I would have travelled overseas to see, and they were all on our doorstep and for a crazy reasonable price. Witchdocter Productions even said 'there will never be another Witchfest in SA, at least not that size, with that level of bands, and for that price'. I'm so glad I caught it, it reminded me of Motherfudd from back in the day but on a giant scale.
@@KeeshKush yeah dude. We have such a great thriving scene at the moment and it's being so well supported. I'm honestly happy to see how it has changed and grown
@@Ramlessness I'm so glad I got to experience that. It honestly was the most amazing fest I've ever gotten to attend
SA Punk rock bands used to be THE thing for me but most were just losing venues too and its sad to se the same thing for metal bands also
Yeah it is quite sad, I do know a few venues werent able to survive lockdown so that's also unfortunate.
this is gonna be me with hyperpop
I remember back in the days, my friend was in a band called "War in the waiting" and they played a lot at Gandolf's in Cape Town. I remember they asked me to start a pit and it was the first pit I was ever in (got hit with an elbow, bleeding nose but i was having a good time) unfortunately the move of time has taken its toll on his band and broke up but we had an awesome awesome time. I wish I could back and go more crazy at Gandolf's. I pray that we have a much bigger metal scene in Cape Town, it would be great to go to such an event again.
There are still cool events going on in CPT, I just think it will be a bit different, good but different to what you experienced at Gandalfs.
@@KeeshKush where online can I check for them??
@@knightartorias7864 What kind of metal do you enjoy?
I think following @metal4africa on social media is great start they post about a lot of events. Otherwise following bands you like is your next best bet.
@KeeshKush I mainly grew up on nu metal bands, we all know them so I'm still enjoying them. Linkin Park, limp bizkit, static-x, disturbed, godsmack etc. I'll check out metal4africa
It sucks to see that bands are calling it quits or taking breaks and how it feels like a changing of the old guard. I didn't know Red Helen called it quits so that's a bummer. I do think that the internet band and studio band routes will end up becoming more of a valid option as time passes. Though I am a bit biased since that's my approach and I am doing solo stuff so it's easier for me to adopt said approach.
I would definitely like to find more local modern metal/metalcore bands from here. Bands that are pulling from peeps like Bad Omens/BMTH, Sleep Token, Architects, Northlane, etc. Maybe even some post hardcore bands like Valiant Hearts and DGD.
I actually spoke to the guitarist of Red Helen, Erick after recording this video and he said they do want to give making music a try even though they are all in different countries around the world so we might still get some things from them in the future! But as for live performance highly unlikely.
Shjoe more modern metal bands would totally tickle my fancy. 😆
@@KeeshKush well that's one way to back up my statement XD. Multinational bands are becoming more popular. I mean we got Slaughter to Prevail, Infant Annihilator, Shrezzers, Save Us and Galleons and Valiant Hearts showing us that it is possible. And some of them don't tour or barely even tour and have a form of success. I mean, Galleons made an AOTY contender personally speaking and I doubt they all got together and I doubt that they've ever had a band practice together. Internet and studio bands. Not the future but will sure as hell be a lot more attractive in the coming years.
Well, I am working on making something that would be modern metal so hopefully I can fill that niche.
Back in 2011 I went for my first show at Sundowners, because my boyfriend at the time was playing a gig - one of the guitarists for Apart from Your Cliché. It was in the middle of those metalcore hey days, and it was ✨️glorious✨️ 🥲
ooof!! I am Jealous!! We have also lost sundowners!! Forgot about that, if Kranked up was to happen again they would probably need a new venue!
There are so many things locally that you kinda just had to be around to experience otherwise you miss it, You are really lucky you experienced the metalcore hey day!
@KeeshKush i agree! Possibly Sognage. It's so sad 😞 because it used to be generally close enough for everyone... it just isn't the same 😔
We even lost Wolmer, which was just as amazing
@@marilizecombrinck5591 Yoh! Wolmer was a vibe, I had so much fun there! Damn, we have actually lost a lot over the years 😅
Yeah Kranked at Sognage will not be the same AT ALL! the cool part about it was it was open air and a great start to summer. Always great weather around Sept. Damn lets see if we even get Kranked again!
I really miss The Winston in Durbz. That closed down.
I moved to Pretoria and Wolmer was amazing, and that shut down as well... Tragic. I have to drive way too far to get to a gig...
I completely forgot about Burn in Durban as well. That place was epic.
BRING BACK BARNEY SIMON!
Zeplins in Pretoria was sick. Band has to be Theatre runs red
Ramfest weekends. And wtf happened to zombies ate my girlfriend?
They are also inactive unfortunately, I know the vocalist and guitarist moved to the UK. The guitarist is in Infanteria and i know they play a show every time Chris comes back to SA. But as for Zombies I don't see anything happening there, can hope for it though!
The doors was also a awesome place and alpha and omega
Have you ever heard of straatligkinders?if you didn't then i suggest you do... Anvontuur van een hart breek is an awesome hit from them
Oh Damn!! I will check it out, thank you!!
There is another channel, Tankthetech, he reacts to new music, mostly metal, he also sometimes listen to unsigned bands. Maybe some SA bands can send their stuff to him. He is also tour manager for Electric Callboy.
I have seen some of his videos! Dope Channel!! Didnt know he was a tour manager for Electric Callboy! That is cool.
Yeah Nik Nokturnal does a similar thing, will have to look into how you actually submit for something like that.
Amorphis cancelling SA tour really made me upset but the rand value tanked hard because some politician opened their mouth at the time so it didn't make financial sense for the organiser.
Last Rammfest I went to was with Killswitch and Trivium which was amazing. Since moving to UK I experienced Download and it was the best weekend of my life.
Ooof!! you have access to the best of the best in the UK! I hope you have been taking advantage of your access!! Down here in SA I feel deprived of big shows! hahaha
on bands cancelling... nothing hurt like as i lay dying in 2013... yoh i was inconsolable when they pulled out. I did go and see bring me play nonetheless and had an amazing time but I never got to see as i lay dying with nick on guitar who is a personal hero of mine
I make numetal and shoegaze (I'm from Joburg)
We miss the old zeplins in Pretoria