Lord Spikeheart

Kenyan vocalist, songwriter, and producer Martin Kanja, known as Lord Spikeheart, has become a prominent figure in the African metal scene by blending guttural growls, screeching screams, and gravelly rap verses with intense, headbanging instrumentals. Over the past decade, he has developed a distinctive sound that brings together death metal and experimental electronic elements, earning him recognition as a leading force of extreme music from East Africa and beyond. His debut solo album, *The Adept*, released on his own label HAEKALU Records—dedicated to the darkest and heaviest African music—received critical acclaim from outlets like The Guardian, BBC Radio, Pitchfork, and The Fader, highlighting his role in reshaping the continent’s metal landscape.

Lord Spikeheart’s music carries strong political themes inspired by his heritage, including a tribute to his great-grandmother Muthoni wa Kirima, a legendary MAU MAU freedom fighter. His work is a response to ongoing social injustices and colonial legacies in Africa, expressed through distorted sounds and urgent rhythms. Known for his electrifying live performances, Lord Spikeheart’s shows are intense, energetic experiences that often ignite communal mosh pits and a powerful sense of belonging among audiences. After fronting the acclaimed grindcore duo Duma, which helped bring East African metal to global attention, Martin Kanja has fully embraced his solo project, pushing boundaries across genres with fearless creative freedom.

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