Scream for Me, Africa!: Heavy Metal Identities in Post-Colonial Africa

Scream for Me Africa! is the first book to explore the hard rock and metal scenes in five African countries: Botswana, Togo, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana. It sheds light on these rarely discussed scenes and how they reflect their countries' unique cultures and political systems. The book is written in a clear and accessible manner, making it suitable for both academic and non-academic readers. It will appeal to anyone interested in metal, African culture, anthropology, sociology, and history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 06 May 2022
Publisher: Intellect Books

Scream for Me, Africa! delves into the vibrant hard rock and metal scenes thriving across five African countries: Botswana, Togo, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana. Author Edward Banchs dedicated substantial time to each country, conducting in-depth interviews with musicians, producers, and fans to paint vivid portraits of these rarely discussed scenes. These scenes stand as a defiant deviation from the norm, challenging the preconceived expectations associated with Africa and rock and metal music. Banchs has chosen to bring these unique scenes to the forefront at this time due to their distinctiveness and their ability to reflect the distinct identities of their respective countries.

This captivating new book explores the perception of heavy metal's subculture within Africa, shedding light on how musicians on the continent have embraced and made their own this genre. It examines the continent's burgeoning metal scenes through various themes, including hybridity, othering, and the intricate ways in which these scenes have intersected with the complex political systems of their respective nations.

Scream for Me, Africa! stands as the inaugural work of its kind, offering an engaging exploration of the diverse metal scenes across the African continent. It delves into how these scenes are forging their own identity as metal fans within the context of modern nation-states, grappling with the legacy of post-colonialism. Written in a clear and accessible manner, the book is suitable for both academic and non-academic readers.

Edward Banchs is a freelance writer and independent scholar with a passion for metal music. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, his writing has been featured in esteemed publications such as The Guardian, Afropop, Metal Hammer, Metal Music Studies, and The Pittsburgh City Paper. In addition to his literary contributions, Banchs is also the author of the highly acclaimed book "Heavy Metal Africa" (2016).

This new book fills a significant gap in the academic literature on metal in Africa, expanding the existing body of knowledge on metal in the global south. It has the potential to be utilized as a valuable resource for courses in various disciplines, including sociology, cultural studies, and musicology. By shedding light on the unique experiences and perspectives of metal fans in Africa, Scream for Me, Africa! contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the global metal scene and its diverse manifestations.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 177 x 250 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789385212