As Overthrust Winter Metal Mania Fest prepares for its 17th anniversary tour, Tshomarelo Mosaka, also known as Vulture Thrust, speaks to AFRICA.ROCKS about Ghanzi, charity, Marocko culture, international bands and the wider value of Botswana’s metal scene. Read more AFRICA.ROCKS
Overthrust 2026 GIG GUIDE!!
Thank you world, for the massive support. We continue to thrust the world with our May/July/November gig guide across Botswana and one major Event in Johannesburg, South Africa starting this coming weekend. Stay tuned, save the dates, we are coming to venues near you.
Gig guide schedule design by our brother - @eye_ofpreston Preston Rot the vocalist for @chovuke metal band in Kenya.
Two cities. One run.
We’re bringing Massacre (USA) to South Africa for the first time, alongside a lineup built from across the country.
Cape Town - 14 May
Live at District
A rare, one-night show
Johannesburg - 15–17 May
Slam Dank Fest Vol.2
Tweefontein Melkery
Full weekend. Two stages.
Two different experiences. Same weekend.
Which one are you coming through to?
Tickets:
/sdf-2-tickets/
Or via Quicket:
JHB: https://qkt.io/C7I4xa
CPT: https://qkt.io/zrWPJr
Some great news: the AGATHOCLES/OVERTHRUST split 7“EP is in the works.
AGATHOCLES will team up with 5 new studio songs with OVERTHRUST from GHANZI, BOTSWANA .... central south of AFRICA. OVERTHRUST are playing since 2008 and are doing some amazing old school end 80’s/early 90’s mid paced death metal.
Lovely !!!
More infos later.
Winter Metal Mania Tour 2026 is incoming!
In less than a month five acts, will blast through the Tswanian heartlands!
We‘re extremely stoked to add @human.leather to the bill, completing an already insane lineup also featuring @overthrustmetal , @raveninflesh , @vigljos and Remuda!
May 28th: Rasmarose Garden - Gaborone
May 29th: LM Garden Bar - Letlhakane
May 30th: Hilltalk Nightclub - Ghanzi
May 31st: Adventure Bar - Maun
See you in the pit!
Artwork by @king_wumpi
More band breakdowns for Slam Dank Fest Vol. 2! 💣
Let’s see what @slamdankproductions has in store for us!
@overthrustmetal 🤠💀
Old School Death Metal from Botswana, Overthrust is helping to put African Metal on the map. Punishing and raw, with some of the most brutal vocals in the scene, these cowboys are here to shoot shit up, and we’re here for it!
@chaosdoctrine ⚙️💢
As their name implies, Chaos Doctrine brings madness and mayhem with their industrial metal. An overwhelming sonic experience that touches on hatred, brutality, and decay - come prepared for unrelenting rage.
@ephraxis 🌀⚡
Be careful, reality might break when listening to Ephraxis. Progressive death metal from Joburg, built on crushing structures and melodic layers that pull you in before dismantling your grip on existence. Come ready for some dimension jumping
@fromdisgust 🤢🪰
Rising from mounds of rot and filth, From Disgust is bringing brutal death metal to Slamdank Fest for their very first live show. Epic guitar riffs, overpowering vocals, and absolutely no idea what to expect. These are first-timers to watch for sure.
@boargazmofficial 🐷🥓
If there are pig masks and squeals involved, then you can bet your ass that Boargazm is on the scene. As one of the more interesting bands around, they're well known for their blend of groove metal, and by the end of their set, everyone will be chanting "Hail Bacon!"
Who are you most excited to watch? Let me know in the comments!
Eighteen years on from their formation, @overthrustmetal sound locked in on 'Infected by Myth'. The album is short, rough around the edges and firmly rooted in old school death metal, with anti-church themes and flashes of war black metal running through it. Read more at africa.rocks
Who is Vulture Thrust?
He is the frontman for Overthrust, lead vocalist & bassist.
TSHOMARELO MOSAKA – THE MAN BEHIND THE VULTURE THRUST LEGACY
Born on 15 September 1985 in Rakops, Botswana and raised in Palapye, Tshomarelo Mosaka stands as one of the most influential figures in Botswana’s heavy metal movement. As the first born in a family of six siblings, three males and three females, he developed leadership, resilience and responsibility early in life, qualities that would later define his career and cultural impact. Known to many as Vulture Thrust, Mosaka is a respected musician, cultural promoter and one of the architects of Botswana’s globally recognized metal scene. Best known as the frontman of Overthrust and founder of Vulture Thrust Arts and Entertainment Vulture Thrust Metal Magazine Vulture Thrust Metal Fest, he has dedicated his life to pushing African heavy metal music beyond borders. Beyond the stage, Tshomarelo is a devoted family man. Together with his beautiful queen, he is the proud father of three children, one daughter and two sons, balancing the ferocity of metal with the responsibilities of fatherhood and leadership at home.
Before fully pursuing his entrepreneurial and creative path, Mosaka served in the Botswana Police Service for 11 years, demonstrating discipline and commitment to national service before resigning in 2018 in pursuit of greener pastures and greater personal ambitions. His lifestyle embodies strength, discipline, brotherhood and individuality, blending the worlds of heavy metal, biker culture, Martial arts, leadership, business and family into one powerful identity. Tshomarelo Mosaka is not merely a musician, he is a symbol of Botswana’s underground spirit, a cultural torchbearer and proof that passion backed by discipline can build legacy.
Huge thanks to our brother Carl Chaotic all the way from UK for the Metal Hammer magazine. Not only is this an incredible gift, but this issue is extra special, we were featured in it after our live performance in the UK last year July. Carl hosted us in Brighton during our UK run and showed us nothing but genuine care and brotherhood.We’ll never forget that.
