Johannesburg gets another Wacken Metal Battle night this Friday, and the four bands heading into the Rumours heat are arriving there from very different places. Some have years behind them. Some are still building fast, in public, learning as they go. What links them is the size of the platform. Even at heat level, everyone in the room knows a night like this can push a band further than a normal slot on a normal bill.
For Surdus, that wider frame carries weight straight away. Chelsea Larsen sees it as something bigger than one performance. “Representing Johannesburg on a platform like the Wacken Metal Battle is both an honour and a responsibility. It’s an opportunity not only to showcase who we are as a band, but also to highlight the strength and talent within our local scene on an international stage. The idea of reaching audiences who may never have discovered us otherwise is incredibly exciting. It’s a chance to share our sound, our energy, and a piece of where we come from. Simply put, it would mean everything to us. It would make every bit of effort, sacrifice, and dedication along the way feel truly worthwhile.”
Diverted Disorder come at it from the perspective of a band that already knows the format well. Hardy Mills says, “This is our fourth entry. Wacken Metal Battle helps grow our scene, and we’re happy to be part of it, even if we don’t get the opportunity to go to Germany.”
Deadly Since are feeling the scale of it too, but from another angle. For JD Baird, even getting to this stage still carries a sense of disbelief. “This battle on its own already feels like a dream come true. Being able to showcase our music to all the metalheads and event organisers in the scene is an honour. On top of that, the chance to get a slot to play at Wacken Open Air is something worth working hard for.”
Sons of Solomon put it in the bluntest terms of the four. Caleb France and Daniel Barnard say, “It means everything to us. International recognition is everything we wanted, and if this stage opens international doors, we are about to go crazy on that stage to make sure we go through those doors.”
“we’re turning it up to 11.”
Once that bigger picture is out of the way, the practical side takes over. Every band going into a battle set has to decide what changes, what stays, and how much can be done in a short window without losing what makes the band feel like itself.
Surdus are keeping some things close, but they are clear that this set is being treated differently. “Well, we can’t give away all our secrets. There may be a few competitors reading this. That said, we’re approaching this set with a very deliberate focus. We’re tightening every element, from performance and sound to stage presence, to make sure every moment counts. This isn’t just another show for us. It’s an opportunity to deliver something sharp, impactful, and memorable. And of course, we’re turning it up to 11.”
Diverted Disorder are not interested in reinventing themselves for the occasion. “We are who we are. What can you expect from us? Pure energy and our absolute best performance, like any show we play. We take this seriously and practise every week, sometimes even twice a week.”
Deadly Since have been more deliberate about what people see on stage. “We have had to take a good look at our stage presence. We have realised the music, no matter how good, will not carry the show on its own. We have been preparing planned movements and choreography on stage to further showcase our music so that it gets delivered to the audience in the best way possible.”
Sons of Solomon are taking the opposite view. They are not changing the core of the show at all. “We are keeping our set the same as our shows, because when we play our shows, that’s when we have our best time. If we don’t keep our shows the same, then it’s not our best. So there will be no difference in the set we’re about to do.”
Surdus have been around long enough to go through changes and come out clearer on the other side. Chelsea says, “Surdus was formed back in 2012, originally with a strong deathcore influence, but over time our sound evolved into something more aligned with melodic death metal. After a number of lineup changes, we feel like we’ve truly found our identity, combining relentless grooves, powerful vocals, atmospheric keys, and blast beats that hit right at your core. I joined Surdus in late 2024 and honestly feel like I have found the place where I’ve always meant to be. The day-to-day reality of building a metal band in Johannesburg is a mix of highs and lows. There are moments when you’re playing to packed venues, and others when it’s just a handful of people, but you show up and give everything, every single time. It’s also a real investment. Not just financially, but emotionally too. It takes commitment, resilience, and a genuine passion for what you do. It’s a long road, but for us, it’s absolutely worth it.”
Diverted Disorder started in a smaller, more solitary way before becoming a full band. Hardy says, “The band started with Hardman recording music in his home studio. After the hype started building, he decided to turn it into a live band and start playing shows. It’s quite challenging balancing everyday life with being in a band, especially because of the financial pressure, but this is a passion project and every band member is extremely passionate about it.”
Deadly Since began as an even more stripped-down idea. JD’s answer traces that line from one person and backtracks to a full band. “Deadly Since started as a solo project. I’m a music coach and guitarist, and I wrote all of the music currently on our discography. Initially, the shows were just me and my backtracks. I was handling lead guitar and vocals, chasing the dream of being like Alexi Laiho from Children of Bodom. In 2025, the band members slowly started coming into the picture.”
“Every show was a lesson.”
Then there is Sons of Solomon, whose whole story reads like a band being built in real time, with mistakes, exits, sudden fixes and constant motion. Caleb and Daniel say, “This band came from an idea and a vision. Two mates from Boksburg, Caleb and Thato, started it in mid-2024. The band name officially came into being after we released our first album, Genesis: Sons Of Solomon, in the first days of 2025. Our first new member joined in late 2024, after the album was completed. That was Chloe, a drummer who helped bring the sound to life and added something we were missing. One week after the album’s release, we got our first show at Others in Soweto, where we played alongside Aura Electric, Decay, The Nipples and Midnight Banshees. Kym from Aura Electric gave us our first shot at the stage, with no evidence that we had any real performance ability. Safe to say, it was an absolute shit show. Guitar strings snapped, electronics malfunctioned, band members panicked, and the tempo was somewhere else entirely. It was a hard lesson, and it stayed with us. We finally redeemed ourselves at a Filthy Pigs event at the Radium Beerhall. Now for the day-to-day reality of building a metal project in South Africa, it’s an everyday thing. The reality is that you can’t just sit back and play a couple of shows whenever you like, or whenever you feel ready. One thing we like to say is that this band was forged in fire. We didn’t have years, or even months, of practice time before we started performing. Every show was a lesson. Yes, there will be embarrassing moments, and you’ll never feel like you played the perfect set. But we improve. With every show, our improvements are audible and clear. That’s why we give it our all every time.”
All of that leads to the final question, which is usually the one that gets closest to the actual point of a live heat. What is there in each band that only really becomes clear in the room?
For Surdus, Chelsea says that is where the band really becomes itself. “For us, the true essence of who we are can only really be experienced live. Recordings can capture the sound, but they don’t fully convey the energy, presence, and raw connection that happens on stage.
“Studio production and visual effects can help, but this is about stripping that back and delivering something real. We want to be right there in front of you, creating something you can feel as much as you hear. It’s about inviting the audience into our world, sharing that darker, more intense side of our music, and making sure they leave having felt every moment of it.”
Diverted Disorder keep that answer simple. “Most of the feedback we’ve received is about the high energy and the live experience. So all I can say is, come experience the madness that is Diverted Disorder. We’re bringing energy like never before.”
Deadly Since point to the musicianship itself, and to what changes when the songs leave the programmed versions behind. JD says, “The level of musicianship in my songs gets overlooked by people who find the music online. People who watch Deadly Since play live get a true appreciation for the level of musicianship in the band and the quality of the songwriting. The live performance also includes actual drums, as opposed to the programmed drums used on the original tracks. Anjo has brought the songs to life in a way we could never have imagined.”
Sons of Solomon come back to force, volume and intent. “The energy and the pure wall of sound. Our EP drops on April 25, so what you hear through a screen is a weak representation of how it feels in the room. There’s one thing you can’t beat, compete with, or repeat, and that’s passion, baby. Pure passion and willpower to make our dreams come true.”
There is no single path into a night like this, and these four bands prove it. They come from different places, have built in different ways, and are bringing different things with them into the room. On Friday, all of that meets the same stage.
