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This week Marcel sits down with Vulvodynia guitarist Luke Haarhoff to chat about the band and where it's at. Dropping into what's on everyones mind, the open auditons to be Vulvodynia's new vocalist. What are they looking for? Who will take the role and finally free Lwandile from his unending side quest? We get into some tour stories and some of the wildest experiences the band has had, from a close call in Turkey to a wholesome experience in China. Luke also fills us in on Arson Theory, a new music distrubition platform and his role in it.  Whose your favourite audition for the Vocalist spot so far? Let us know in the comments! #metal #vulvodynia #vulvoauditions #slam #arsontheory 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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

From his involvement in the scene as far back as the early 2000s, his roots with prolific bands like The Overmind and Divine Affliction, and his present successes with Imperious Vision, Deven has solidified his place as a local scene legend, at a relatively young age. On this episode we discuss: South African Metal: Whether it's in a better place now than "back in the day" Wacken Metal Battle: We break down Imperious Vision's recent victory at the Durban heat New Music: We get updates on the upcoming Imperious Vision album The AI Controversy: We get his take on artificial intelligence in the local alternative scene and more.   This is a chilled conversation in Deven's lounge that was shot, edited and graded by Nasiphi. It is visually and tonally inspired by the recent Apple Music interview ft. J.Cole. The setting is meant to invoke a familiar feeling of home and comfort, while  the grading aims to be as grounded as possible. 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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

Have you ever wondered where all the alternative Afrikaans music is? This week Marcel does a deep dive into the new wave of Afrikaans alternative artists that have been popping up. Who are these artists, why Afrikaans, and what was the history leading up to this point?  From the origins of Afrikaans Alt traced back to Koos Kombuis, the lasting impact made by Fokofpolisiekar, DJ's getting into fist fights over demo's, to the artists shaping the sound today.  Texx And The City Article: https://texxandthecity.com/2024/09/koos-kombuis-a-life-in-music-protest-and-resilience/ 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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

This week we're bringing you something new! Introducing a new segment hosted by three of South Africa's best metal vocalists. Join in as they talk about their favourite gateway bands, backstage stories, best shows, and more! Let us know what you think in the comments! Would you like to see more of Myke, Dwayne, and Reegan? 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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

March saw a bunch of releases and events across the country within the alternative and metal scene! This month on Ground Up Marcel and Brynn touch on some of the interesting happenings within the scene: Orange County's IGNITE playing on South African shores for the first time, new releases from Moondaygun, The Fismits, The Medicine Dolls, And Sunken State, as well as chat in depth about bands and their output.  Video Edited by: Marcel Smuts #SouthAfricanMetal #SouthAfricanBands #SouthAfricanPodcast #SludgeUnderground  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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

After two decades of silence, Plum made their comeback in 2025, and they’re louder, wiser, and ready to reclaim their place in South Africa’s alternative scene. In this episode, Nasiphi sits down with Warren to unpack the band’s return, the underground legacy they left behind, and the fire that brought them back together. From wild 90s gigs to their current and future plans, this is Plum like you’ve never seen them before! #PlumReturns #SouthAfricanBands #BandComeback #MusicPodcast #SceneStories #RockInterview #PlumBand Plum's Latest Single: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HBkvplt1Rwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HBkvplt1Rw 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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

This week on Sludge Underground Marcel talks to Brett from ‪@igniteband‬  leading up to the bands debut appearance in South Africa. Join in as they chat about the band meeting Fuzigish's Malcom at Punk Rock Holiday in Slovenia, the bands over 30 year run, and stories from a band that's played in over 50 countries in its lifetime.  Let us know who you'd like to see come to South Africa next!  Edited by Marcel Smuts. 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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

February was jam packed full of highs and lows across the South African alternative and metal scene, we're breaking it all down! On this episode, Marcel & Nasiphi recap the month's biggest stories: The cancellation of Calabash, the success of Emalyth Fest, and the latest releases from Sonder The Africanime, Mouse, and Lucy Kruger. We're also joined by Myke Taylor of Devilnest/Your Cynical Sanity, who gives us a recap of their Durban show featuring heavyweights DOOMTRIGGER & No Closure. It doesn't end there, we'll be looking ahead to the Wacken Metal Battle Africa kicking off this weekend, and share our thoughts on what it means for the scene going forward. #SouthAfricanMetal #SouthAfricanBands #SouthAfricanPodcast #SludgeUnderground  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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

Step into the mind of Sunken State frontman Dwayne Hees in this unfiltered episode of Sludge Underground. We look at his journey, having grown up in an Afrikaans household in Rustenburg, starting out as a vocalist before even touching vocals, and his pre-Sunken State days with links to MoshMallow bassist Reinhardt. Dwayne talks about how he met Mat Swanepoel and how Sunken State's OG lineup was formed. The episode also looks at Dwayne's nuanced views of cancel culture within the South African alternative scene, his side projects, and Sunken State's future. Lastly, we finally reveal the identity of the mystery person Dwayne doesn't like. Whether you're here for the music, stories, or tea, you cannot afford to miss this episode. Video by Nasiphi Zwane Thumbnail by Myke Taylor #SunkenState #MetalVocalist, #SouthAfricanBands #SludgeUnderground #MysteryReveal  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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

What really happens after Wacken Open Air? In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges South African bands face after representing the country in Germany, and why breaking out internationally isn’t as straightforward as it seems. 🎤 We put YOUR questions directly to Sash, giving you the answers you’ve been waiting for. Plus, we explore what Emalyth and the Wacken Metal Battle South Africa have lined up for 2026, and what it means for the future of heavy music in South Africa If you’re passionate about metal, South African bands, and the global stage, this is a must-watch! #WackenOpenAir #SouthAfricanMetal #MetalBattleSA #Emalyth #HeavyMetal #MetalCommunity #Wacken2026 #GlobalMetal #MetalHeadsUnite Keesh's Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR3xMtHhU4k&list=PLHezfwZCdiMd_UZ8l1CgtMJMoXLLXSIkT WMBSA DOCUMENTS What is the Wacken Metal Battle: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P0V6o-kJxx2O1xkucQLA9hqpudgq0Qd9/view?usp=drivesdk WMB Africa Band Guide https://drive.google.com/file/d/1huLACewL-HLXcbTWUJ8YihZfzNiYOXTB/view?usp=drivesdk 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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

Marcel catches up with  ⁨@PAGES_DOOM⁩ to chat about the recenet release of their album No More Can Be Done. Diving into themes of existential dread, geopolitical despair, environmental decay and raw emotion.  Join in as we chat about the bands evolution, the importance of physical media, and how art as a meduim makes it's way into their music.  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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

 Join the boys as they look back at the best South African band releases and events of 2025. From memorable gigs to standout music releases, they highlight their favourites and share a glimpse of what's coming in the remainder of 2026. #SouthAfrica #SouthAfricanPodcast #SouthAfricanBands #SludgeUnderground   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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

Marcel sat down with Eli of Skrikkeljaar, an upcoming emo pop punk band with the added twist of being in afrikaans. Eli details his journey as a musician, the influences that shaped the bands sound, and the impact he hopes to have on those around him. Don't miss out on learning more about one of the South African scenes most promising newcomers. 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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

Marcel sits down with Dierbaar, an alternative Afrikaans band from Stellenbosch, to dig into what drives their unique sound and message. We talk about why they chose to make alternative music in Afrikaans, the themes most artists shy away from, and their experience working with ‪@Afrikalt‬. If you’re interested in the new wave of Afrikaans alternative music, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. 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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

Ramfest 2025 was everything we’ve been waiting for. From Bongloard’s wild energy and Sunken State’s chaos (gorilla suit included), to Jack Parow proving he absolutely belongs on a heavy lineup, this festival was a full-on celebration of South African alternative and heavy music. Not everything went smoothly, sound issues hit hard during Vulvodynia’s set, but The Narrow and Facing the Gallows brought things right back, setting the stage for an unforgettable headliner: The Devil Wears Prada. For many of us, seeing them live in South Africa was a literal teenage-dream moment. This video’s a recap of that entire experience, what worked, what didn’t, and why events like Ramfest matter so much for our local scene. If you were there, drop a comment about your favorite set. And if you weren’t… maybe this will convince you not to miss the next one. 🎥 Featuring: Bongloard, Sunken State, Jack Parow, Vulvodynia, The Narrow, Facing The Gallows, The Devil Wears Prada, No Closure, Hellcats, Evert Snyman And The Aviary, Die Gemeente, I Believe In Giants, and Raptorbaby 🔥 Follow for more: Deep dives into South African metal, alternative, and festival culture. This episode is best viewed on Youtube.  Background Music Sunken State - Pure Hate Raptorbaby - Memento Die Gemeente - Power Trip No Closure - A Darker Fate Facing The Gallows - Pessimist Sunken State - Swindler 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 grab your favourite merch today! Support the show Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeunderground Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground