South Africa: one of the biggest party weekends of the year for alternative-minded people is nearly upon us. In a rare display of widespread ghoulishness, Halloween parties are that night of the year where metalheads, goths, punks and other underground sub-cultural sorts walk tall and, surprisingly, are accepted as normal among peers of other groups; like a creepy post-millennium inversion of the Cinderella tale, where the Fairy God-Mother of spookiness shares blessings to all.
One way or the other, this weekend – as with years before – will make for interesting stories and experiences in clubs and bars nationwide. There appears to be something which would appeal to every kind of rocker or metaller. We take a look at those of particular interest which we could find:
Cape Town, Friday 28 October
It Came From The Rabbit Hole (The Rabbit Hole in Durbanville, CT)
If that title doesn’t sound spooky enough, perhaps the line-up will entice with Beeldenstorm, Coded and Vrydenk Effek; offering an unusual sort of line-up mash-up of metal & rock, English & Afrikaans. Event link here.
Shadowfax Halloween 2016 (Mercury Live in Cape Town)
Not strictly a metal attraction, this event might very well hold some appeal for the more prog-rock-inclined among us, and particularly those with the energy (and a showy enough costume) for a two-night-out weekend! This is every bit a live music party with line-up including Deity’s Muse visiting from Johannesburg, Ohgod, Morning Pages, Caelo, Beat Warrior and Citrus AF. Event link here.
Cape Town, Saturday 29 October
Eskimo Callboy South African Tour (Bassline in JHB & Mercury Live in CT)
Whilst not a Halloween themed party per say, this one seems to capture the spirit of freaky dress-up effectively enough, and on every day of the year no less! Eskimo Callboy, from Germany, are widely described as a high-energy party band with all sorts of tricks up their sleeves. Whilst they do include many components of metal music, they also enjoy a much wider appeal across many other youth-oriented genres.
Catch them live on Friday 28 October in Johannesburg with Cape Town’s Reverse The Sands and locals Riddlebreak, or Saturday 29 October in Cape Town with locals Reverse The Sands, A Price On The King’s Head, and Set For The Sky. Hosted by Witchdoctor Productions, who offer ticket sales via their website. Cape Town event link and Johannesburg.
Huge & Sexy Halloween Party (The Nameless Pub in Somerset West, CT)
The Nameless Pub has been in partnership with fellow Somerset West locals Mind Assault dating back almost to their opening, celebrating one of the highlight events of the year at the establishment. It’s that one night in the year where all and sundry in the neighbourhood come together in a rare combination of musical cultures from club and pop hits right across the spectrum to the most blood-curdling heavy metal; and somehow it all works on this bewitched annual celebration date.
Joining Mind Assault this year are fellow Helderberg locals Imperial Destruction, Deity’s Muse visiting from Johannesburg, and Cape Town’s Strident and Crimson House. The party includes a second entertainment area and a mammoth bar tab prize for the winner of ‘best dressed’, so don’t be shy on your costume efforts; witnessing this alone is typically enough of an attraction for R30 (R50 after 21h00). Event link here.
Nightmare on Station Road (Trenchtown in Observatory, CT)
AKA “The Halloween Slaughter”, as referred to in the past by host The United Underground, an event brand spearheaded by metal and punk hybrid Bulletscript and Half Price includes this year, for the first time, an international visitor with Nasty Rumours from Switzerland. The local compliment is completed with Crossfire Collision, Subject to Slaughter, Alive at Midnight, Peasant and DevilSpeak, bringing together a tasty mix of metal, hardcore, and punk.
The Nightmare on Station Road also boasts a market, and a second entertainment area. Event link here.
Johannesburg, Friday 28 October
Eskimo Callboy South African Tour (Bassline in JHB & Mercury Live in CT)
As described in detail above, the party begins in Johannesburg with Germany’s Eskimo Callboy on Friday, accompanied by Cape Town’s Reverse The Sands and Johannesburg’s Riddlebreak. Ticket sales via Witchdoctor Productions.
Johannesburg, Saturday 29 October
Halloween Horror II (Wolmer Bush Lounge in Pretoria North)
A younger annual event tradition instigated by the promoter Emalyth, the Halloween Horror rears it’s ugly face for a second installation in 2016 with a generous scoop of the regions favourite headbanging crowd: Raptorbaby, Boargazm, Riddlebreak, Polar Dust, Insanity Unveiled, Posthumous, Spectral Realm and Demogoroth Satanum.
A mere R60 entry includes free camping (first come first served) and a whole bunch of other amazing venue features such as pool tables, braai and bonfire, plus great food. Event link here.
Whatever your choice of show this weekend, have fun and remember: safety first! Plan ahead and don’t end up in a bad situation.
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