Slam Dank Fest Vol.1: How South Africa’s Newest Metal Festival Went Down
Introduction
From 1–3 August 2025, the gates of Tweefontein Melkery in Kempton Park, Gauteng opened to a new chapter in South African metal history: the very first Slam Dank Fest.
Despite cold weather, slippery stages, and intimate crowds, the festival delivered an unforgettable weekend of riffs, energy, and community spirit. Here’s how it went down.
The Basics
Slam Dank Fest Vol.1 was a multi-day event, with Friday and Sunday offering arrivals, activities, and a chilled camp vibe, while Saturday brought a full-force lineup of heavy bands.
Dates: 1–3 August 2025
Venue: Tweefontein Melkery, Kempton Park, Gauteng
Crowd: More intimate than capacity, but filled with die-hard metalheads
The weather kept things interesting — a mix of sunshine, cold, and slippery stages. But despite the challenges, bands played on, and fans embraced the elements.
Performances & Music
The lineup was stacked, and the energy never dipped. Highlights included:
Mysanthrium, who impressed massively in their first-ever live show.
Eat The Elderly, who brought relentless energy that had the crowd surging.
Megalodon, who lived up to their Cape Town heavyweight status.
One of the biggest crowd reactions came when Tenacious 3 handed out custom-engraved picks and drumsticks — a moment fans won’t forget.
Technically, the show was flawless. Sound engineering by Jethro Harris and lighting by Nicolas Strydom elevated the performances, making the stage setup a phenomenon in itself.
Beyond the Music
Slam Dank Fest wasn’t just about the bands. The festival experience brought its own flavour:
Camping: A chill, friendly vibe where fans shared the weekend in true metal community spirit.
Food: Three vendors kept everyone fuelled, with the pizza stand emerging as a crowd favourite.
Merch: Top vendors like Rockio Clothing and No Reason Clothing were on-site, alongside all the bands’ official merch.
Unique Activities: Knight battles courtesy of Juggerknights, tattoos from Rudi’s Tattoos, and even jumping castles where fans could literally fight their friends.
Memorable Moments
Fans and crew walked away with memories that will stick for years. Some of the top highlights included:
Seeing every band give their all, pulling out every stop to make their sets unforgettable.
Experiencing a live knight fight, a surreal addition to a metal festival.
Spending the weekend with friends in a vibrant, safe space built for community.
Wild moments? Oh yeah. A request for the Star Wars theme song mid-show had the crowd buzzing. And when the Dragon Punch machine came out, it turned into a battle of strength among festivalgoers.
There were also emotional dedications and heartfelt thank-yous to the crew, underscoring just how much the community means to this scene.
Cultural Impact
Slam Dank Fest proved to be more than a show — it was a leap forward for the South African metal scene. For once, local bands had a platform that matched the scale, quality, and production of international acts.
It felt like the beginning of a tradition, maybe even something that could happen twice a year. Fans and bands alike called it a milestone for underground music — a safe space to celebrate the scene, and a reminder of why it matters.
What’s Next
The good news? Slam Dank Fest Vol.2 is already confirmed for March 2026.
Organizers have taken in both praise and constructive feedback — from more crew to structured shifts — and are looking to expand the fest even bigger.
The message is clear: Slam Dank Fest is here to stay, and it’s only going to get louder.
Video Supplied By Fan
Final Word
Intimate, gritty, and unforgettable, Slam Dank Fest Vol.1 set the tone for what South African heavy music festivals can be. It wasn’t perfect — but it didn’t need to be. It was raw, it was real, and it was the start of something bigger.
