Continuing the History of Metal through short (trivia packed) chapters and accompanying playlists.
Thanks for all the support of Part 1 of these ongoing series! You asked me for more, here it is :)
Work in progress, will be posting irregularly (but...
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Botswana is one of the pearls of Africa. The country, that suffered greatly from HIV, has one of the highest GDP's and maybe the most stable political climate in the continent. Tourists flock towards the Kalahari Desert and the lush Okavango Delta each year. But they might find something they weren't expecting: The Heavy Metal Cowboys.
It started back in the 70's with the country's first Classic Rock band: Nosey Road. From there, a small but extremely tight-knitted subculture grew that worships all things Hard Rock and Metal. Not in the least Motorhead's classic 'Ace Of Spades'. The iconic cover photo of the band as post apocalyptic and leather clad cowboys has inspired the fashion of these African metalheads. You think you're tough? Try wearing full length leather outfits under the African sun.
Although musical instruments are luxuries most people in Botswana can't afford, a healthy scene of bands has developed, led by Death Thrashers Wrust and Overthrust. A scene, that - thanks to photographer Frank Marshall's 2010 project 'Visions of Renegades' - achieved quite some fame internationally. In their farmer communities, the Metal Cowboys are often highly respected. In other African countries, Metalheads aren't always that lucky...
Botswana isn't the only Black African Metal scene: there are local scenes in Uganda, Madagascar, and South Africa (although most Metalheads over there are White â€" but that's for another chapter) to name but a few. However, in many of these places, playing Metal music is considered blasphemous, spreading Satanism, or at the very least inappropriate. Bands find it very hard to get any airplay or record deals. Many bands have therefore relied on a DIY attitude.
Maybe the most advanced - and in most cases the most modern-sounding - Black African scene can be found in Kenya. Some it's bands, like ParkingLotGrass and Last Year's Tragedy, have been able to play internationally and have amassed quite the following.
In the last decade, the Black African Metal scenes have been able to flourish. Although they are still relatively small and unknown, with the help from publications like 'Heavy Metal Africa' by Edward Banchs, support in Western Metal magazines, and an ever-improving access to the internet, the scenes are growing fast. That is something we can only be very happy about.
For sure, there is a novelty to Botswana's Metal Cowboys, but they show everyone the power that Metal has to unite people all over this world, even where you least expect it!
Playlist:
01. Before Crush: A Bruxa (2010) - from Angola
02. Threatening: The Traveler (2010) - from Uganda
03. Crackdust: Return Of The Gods (2011) - from Botswana
04. Last Year's Tragedy: Challenge Accepted (2013) - from Kenya
05. In Oath: Rusted Embrace (2012) - from Kenya
06. Lust Of A Dying Breed: Fearless (2012) - from Kenya
07. Skinflint: Okove (2014) - from Botswana
08. Dor Fantasma: System (2013) - from Angola
09. Mortal Soul: Solace (2013) - from Kenya
10. Wrust: Hate 'Em All (2013) - from Botswana
11. Last Year's Tragedy: Generation Light (2013) - from Kenya
12. Demogoroth Satanum: The Kingdom Ov Hell (2015) - from South Africa
13. Overthrust: Vultures Don't Die (2015) - from Botswana
14. ParkingLotGrass: Rain Man (2015) - from Kenya
15. Behind The Mask: The Revolution (2016) - from Madagascar
16. Dividing The Element: Magetsi (2016) - from Zimbabwe
17. Skinflint: Ram Of Fire (2016) - from Botswana
18. Vale Of Amonition: Of A Painting Grim (The Apostle Gray And The Harvest Black) (2017) - from Uganda
