South African photographer Frank Marshall captured Botswana's heavy metal rockers as part of his Renegades series.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
South African photographer Frank Marshall captured Botswana's heavy metal rockers as part of his Renegades series.
Courtesy Frank Marshall
The exhibition, including 18 photographs, ran at the Rooke Gallery in Johannesburg and featured at the Joburg Art Fair in 2011.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
The exhibition, including 18 photographs, ran at the Rooke Gallery in Johannesburg and featured at the Joburg Art Fair in 2011.
Courtesy of Frank Marshall
Marshall, 26, was one of the top ten finalists in the Sony World Photography Organisation Student Competition, and the sole contestant from Africa.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
Marshall, 26, was one of the top ten finalists in the Sony World Photography Organisation Student Competition, and the sole contestant from Africa.
Frank Marshall
"They embody the very aggressive elements of metal. It's an expression of power. Everything is an expression of power for them, from the clothes to the way they speak to the way they walk. They walk with very deliberate lurching strides," Marshall said.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
"They embody the very aggressive elements of metal. It's an expression of power. Everything is an expression of power for them, from the clothes to the way they speak to the way they walk. They walk with very deliberate lurching strides," Marshall said.
Courtesy of Frank Marshall
With names like Demon and Gunsmoke it would be easy to dismiss the rockers as thugs. In fact, the titles come with a strong awareness of social responsibility.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
With names like Demon and Gunsmoke it would be easy to dismiss the rockers as thugs. In fact, the titles come with a strong awareness of social responsibility.
Frank Marshall
For hardcore fans, heavy metal is more than just a scene -- it's part of the national identity. Botswana president Ian Khama is also believed to be a fan.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
For hardcore fans, heavy metal is more than just a scene -- it's part of the national identity. Botswana president Ian Khama is also believed to be a fan.
Courtesy of Frank Marshall
"There's a strong sense of camaraderie amongst them. That's the first thing you'll notice about them as an outsider coming in. They've got a very strong bond and friendship with each other," Marshall said of the heavy metal scene in Botswana.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
"There's a strong sense of camaraderie amongst them. That's the first thing you'll notice about them as an outsider coming in. They've got a very strong bond and friendship with each other," Marshall said of the heavy metal scene in Botswana.
Frank Marshall
The heavy metal scene remains overwhelming macho. However there are female rockers with one called Katie telling CNN: "I just enjoy it. It's a happy feeling. If you knew my brothers and sisters, it's something that we are as a family."
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
The heavy metal scene remains overwhelming macho. However there are female rockers with one called Katie telling CNN: "I just enjoy it. It's a happy feeling. If you knew my brothers and sisters, it's something that we are as a family."
Courtesy Frank Marshall
Rather than Hell's Angels, Gunsmoke believes the rockers are increasingly seen as guardian angels. "Kids follow us around. Parents approach us. We're there for a good cause actually. We help people on the streets at night," he said.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
Rather than Hell's Angels, Gunsmoke believes the rockers are increasingly seen as guardian angels. "Kids follow us around. Parents approach us. We're there for a good cause actually. We help people on the streets at night," he said.
Courtesy Frank Marshall
Hell's Angel's gang members at a Rolling Stone concert in London's Hyde Park, 1969. The leather-clad aesthetics may be similar to Botswana heavy metallers, but that's where the similarities end.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
Hell's Angel's gang members at a Rolling Stone concert in London's Hyde Park, 1969. The leather-clad aesthetics may be similar to Botswana heavy metallers, but that's where the similarities end.
Getty Images
Botswana's rockers have carved a unique image reminiscent of the 1970s British heavy metal scene.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
Botswana's rockers have carved a unique image reminiscent of the 1970s British heavy metal scene.
CNN
Animal horns, as seen in the background, are an important fashion accessory in the Botswana heavy metal scene. "We always have a symbol that represents Africa," says rocker Gunsmoke.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
Animal horns, as seen in the background, are an important fashion accessory in the Botswana heavy metal scene. "We always have a symbol that represents Africa," says rocker Gunsmoke.
CNN
Marshall, 26, was one of the top ten finalists in the Sony World Photography Organisation Student Competition and the sole contestant from Africa.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
Marshall, 26, was one of the top ten finalists in the Sony World Photography Organisation Student Competition and the sole contestant from Africa.
CNN
African mythology and folklore loom large in the lyrics of Botswana band Skinflint. "We have a lot of ancestral beliefs - back in the day they used to believe that if someone dies and you touch the dead person then Gauna will come and take your soul," lead singer Giuseppe said.
Botswana's heavy metal heads —
African mythology and folklore loom large in the lyrics of Botswana band Skinflint. "We have a lot of ancestral beliefs - back in the day they used to believe that if someone dies and you touch the dead person then Gauna will come and take your soul," lead singer Giuseppe said.
Frank Marshall