“Africa can produce more than jazz and amapiano.”
Wacken Metal Battle Africa is back at Room 2, and Johannesburg’s heat lands at Sognage on 7 March. Three bands go head-to-head: GOATBOi, Fading Gray, and Black Nature, with last year’s WMBRoom2 finalists Hilliker as the guest band.
For Black Nature’s vocalist Themba Jack, that wider frame is the point. “It means a lot to represent Johannesburg, and, in some way, Africa as a whole,” he says. “We’re proud to be a South African band, and if this opportunity helps grow the scene, it can make things easier for the bands coming after us.”
Fading Gray see the same ripple effect, but from a different angle: routes, connections, and community across borders. “For us, being in the battle is bigger than representing ourselves or Johannesburg,” they say. “It puts us in front of people who might not know us yet, and it gives us a chance to connect with bands, organisers, and media across Africa. We’re also thinking about what that could mean for touring routes on the continent.”
That idea – Johannesburg as a stop on something bigger – hits differently when you look at how these bands were built in the first place.
Black Nature started with demos on an iPad. “It began years ago when I was making demos on my sister’s iPad,” Themba says. Finding the band was just as modern: “I met Ray and Dylan – guitar and bass – through a Tinder-style app for musicians. Lorenzo (drums) came via Facebook, and Ben (guitar) was already connected to Dylan.” In a city where rehearsal spaces, schedules, and budgets can make everything harder than it should be, their approach is straightforward: “Most bands get recordings done, then build a tight, well-rehearsed set before they start playing shows.”
Fading Gray’s timeline is longer, with more turns. “Fading Gray began in 2020 with a group of mates bringing an idea to life,” they say. “We started with a more commercial feel, but member changes pushed the band to evolve.” Their official launch show landed in February 2023, and the next year brought a clear sign of momentum: “We secured a finalist position in our Wacken Battle heat in 2024.” Since then, they’ve pushed beyond Johannesburg. “We’ve toured both KZN and Cape Town and expanded our footprint,” they say. “Each show has strengthened our sound, sharpened our live performance, and grown our connection with audiences across the country.”
“Being part of Fading Gray is a labour of love.”
They’re also open about the personal cost underneath the music. “Being part of Fading Gray is a labour of love,” they say. “We call it our ‘Jamily’. Our significant others are a huge part of the support system that keeps us going. It takes time away from our families, but the passion and the support we receive is what makes this worth it. It gives us joy and a creative release like nothing else.”
Then there’s GOATBOi. His motivation starts with frustration. “Honestly, we’re just tired of the generic, cookie-cutter modern metal template that every band seems to follow nowadays,” they say. “Alternative music is supposed to challenge the status quo, and that’s what we’re doing.” For them, representing Johannesburg is also about correcting lazy expectations. “It would be really cool to show the rest of the world that Africa can produce more than jazz and amapiano.”
Ask what changes for a battle set, and Goatboi keep it blunt: “We’re locked in. Standing on business. Shoutout Black Nature – y’all are getting the smoke.”
Black Nature are taking the opposite route: controlled surprises. “We’ve added a few things on the production side,” Themba says. “The idea is to make certain sections hit harder and really pop. I’ll keep the details quiet for now.” Fading Gray are also building a set that feels like their show, even inside a battle format. “We prepare every performance with real passion and drive,” they say. “We want a wow factor beyond the sound and the stage presence, with a few extras where the venue allows. When you walk into the heat, it should still feel like a Fading Gray show.”
If you’re trying to understand what each band is really chasing live, their answers point to three very different kinds of intensity.
For Black Nature, it’s values as much as volume. “Our core is creativity, humility, and passion,” Themba says. “We’re grateful for everyone who shows up, every band on the bill, and the people who make these nights happen. We try to put that across on stage.”
For Fading Gray, it’s chemistry: how the songs move when the crowd is close enough to feel it. “A fan reviewer once described us as having uncompromising stage energy and punishing breakdowns, with songs that connect through introspection, not just heaviness,” they say. “We love that. That emotional honesty will be all over our heat – it’s what our fans know us for, and what newcomers will pick up quickly.”
And Goatboi? They’re not hiding the plan. “No holds barred,” they say. “If you want the smoke, pull up.”
On 7 March, Johannesburg gets all three approaches in one room – plus Hilliker, who already know what it takes to make a WMBRoom2 crowd move. If you care about local metal growing outward – across South Africa, across Africa, and onto bigger stages – this is one of those nights where showing up actually makes a difference.
Event info
Wacken Metal Battle Africa – Room 2 heat
Sognage, Johannesburg
Saturday, 7 March 2026
Tickets: R150
Bands: Goatboi, Fading Gray, Black Nature
Guest band: Hilliker (2025 WMBRoom2 finalists)
