Author: Henno Kruger

Produced by Deity’s Muse and Dead Letter Circus guitarist Clint Vincent, Ennui sees the South African progressive alt-rock unit on a song crafting high, delivering fiery, emotional riffs with dynamic, potent grooves, inspired by the collective chaos of the current times. Exploring themes surrounding climate change, anxiety, cancel culture, loss and polarisation, Ennui is a salient reality check buoyed by hope and the desire for balance. “Into Their Clutches”, the first single is a melodic alternative rock powerhouse featuring soaring rhythms and guitarwork with a sweeping, anthemic chorus. The dulcet vocals offer a balanced study of the cogs that keep the wheels of political polarisation turning.…

“Joaquín” is the new single from Johannesburg’s dark alternative collective BLVD HVNNY (Blood Honey). A driving gothic rock song about despair and revenge, inspired by the true story of Joaquín Murrieta – the persecuted gold digger turned outlaw then hero and inspiration behind fictional character Zorro. The song delivers a relentless mechanical rhythm carrying haunted keys, pulp fictional guitars and sound scaping violins. Peppered with Morricone-style choral outbursts, the song could be a theme to a spaghetti Western. Cito, vocalist and mastermind behind the band, comments on the inspiration for “Joaquin” “Writing this song, with my long-time LA- based collaborating songwriter, Erin Alden,…

Op Die Heuwels Fantasties se agste ateljee album, “Volume”, sien ons hoe hierdie konstante innoverende groep, hulle negentigs invloede in die huidige digitale- stroom- era inspan.”Volume”, wat op wat vandag uitgereik is, spog met ‘n eklektiese mengsel van akoestiese treffers, pop-punk, synth-ballades en so bietjie electro-folk vir `n uitsonderlike audio umami. Hunter Kennedy vertel dat hy uit sy nate is oor die uitreiking van die nuwe album (“Volume”) “Dit is ons derde een sedert die pestilensie en ek dink dit het in ons guns getel om geolie te bly. Pierre het ’n great job gedoen met die skryf van ‘EGGO’ en die samewerking met Spoegwolf het dit…

For the past six weeks, The Official South African Music Charts (TOSAC) have been watched with keen interest as it celebrates the popularity and success of music enjoyed from diverse artists across the country. The charts are a first in South Africa, both in scale and magnitude. Brought to you by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), and compiled by global music technology leaders BMAT Music Innovators, TOSAC kicked off with a focus on ‘singles’ in the digital music streaming space. To ensure that the charts represent the broad South African digital music spectrum, TOSAC aggregates data from three Digital Streaming…

Cape Town based singer-songwriter Liam Burger has announced the release of his forthcoming EP ‘Wide Awake’ – due on December 3rd – along with the release of his brand new single ‘Falling Apart’, which is out today. Liam Burger is fast becoming one of SA’s finest new singer-songwriters and his nostalgic, but modern style of song writing has seen four of his previous singles, with the most recent ‘When I Met You’, achieve success on radio around the country. Liam comments on “Falling Apart” “’Falling Apart’ is a song about a relationship coming to a non- mutual end, leaving the other half…

Vaughn Prangley shares a new track and music video for “Call our Own”, the second single to be lifted from the rising South African musician’s forthcoming debut album, Destination Unknown. It’s a single which, like so much of Vaughn’s writing, has a transportive power and the ability to put the listener right there, in the time and place of the song. Emotionally charged writing and true vocal talent demonstrate Vaughn’s range and passion. Vaughn Prangley comments on “Call Our Own” “Call Our Own is a song on escaping the repetitious routines of everyday life. It is important to know when…

Nic Jeffrey takes a step in a new and exciting direction though with his latest single, “Goodbye”. Combining elements of indie-pop, infused with electropop and EDM, the song is both chilled and upbeat at the same time – making it perfect for a Friday night party, a calm Sunday afternoon drive, or even a mid-week pick-me-up. More info about “Goodbye” As the name suggests, the song is about a failing relationship and the need to walk away from it, summed up by the chorus lines: “nobody can save us, time to get out”. However, whilst the meaning behind “Goodbye” is disheartening…

South African born musician and drumming wizard Chris Bellew is setting trails in his new hometown of the USA building his professional drumming career one step at a time. Originally based in South Africa and after finishing a commerce degree, Chris started applying to music schools to follow his true calling. He left South Africa in 2017 to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston and after graduating in 2020 he moved out to Los Angeles to build his career. More info about Chris Bellew Chris Bellew is an accomplished drummer and musician and his wide range of work…

“She Knows” is the brand new single by Kenny Hughes (featuring the very talented Evert Snyman” The song is about the Earth and its grandiose four elements. Kenny Hughes comments on “She Knows” “Growing up, I was a big fan of the animated series ‘Avatar – The Last Airbender’ that addresses the power of the elements Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. The deeper meaning behind She Knows is that Mankind thinks we are superior to nature, but we are doomed to fail if we do not heed the warnings (secrets) of the Earth. The secret that …She knows!” Producer Evert…

South African self-proclaimed Flash-Rockers Marene, light up any stage with a bold show and contagious, fun attitudes. Blending epic riffs, electronic sounds, and sing-along choruses, Marene creates music that bends genres and pushes boundaries—rock music you can dance to. Today sees the release of their new single and video, “Beyond The Night Sky”, taken from their upcoming EP After Life which is set to drop on the 29th October 2021. “Beyond the Night Sky” explores the mind of the troubled youth The song expresses the emotions and inner turmoil of young adults struggling with their identity. They wonder how others will perceive their disappearance—because what…

Tatum’s new single “Homecoming” is a reminiscence of high school love and realisation of the regret of decisions not taken. The track was released via Bad Future Records today. Tatum delivers a stunningly beautiful vocal performance on this melancholic yet nostalgic song accompanied by groovy guitar licks, 80’s inspired style bass and synth, rolling kicks, sweet vocal harmonies and a slick production from producer Paul Gala. Tatum comments on “Homecoming” “‘Homecoming’ is about that sweet high school love. The one you’ll never forget. Looking back at it, you had a taste of what your life could have been with that…

We Are PIGS in collaboration with Brian “Head” Welch and JR Bareis (Korn, Love And Death) release the bold new animated video for the track “Kids” via Metal Hammer . Featuring each artist in caricature, the video – like the song – aims to bring attention to the challenges faced by today’s young generation and lets them know they are not alone. While it can be challenging growing up in current times, We Are PIGS, Brian “Head” Welch and JR Bareis want kids to know that there is always hope. As Welch told Metal Hammer about the new art piece “For youth today, the world can be a particularly dark place, filled with many temptations. But there…