We are here to Create
meaningful, deep songs that
resonate with our audience.

Who the f#ck we are.

Hey there, we’re Fading Gray, and we’re here to shake up the scene from the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa and get you raising horns to our style of metal.

Who we are: Sam, the voice that’ll guide you through our sonic journey, alongside Justin & Jason shredding on guitar, Matt laying down the bass, and Nate keeping the beat behind the kit.

Our story starts in 2020, and in early 2023 we burst onto the live scene, ready to rock your socks off. From intimate bars to packed clubs, we bring the house down with our high-energy performances and infectious enthusiasm.

We’ve had some pretty epic moments along the way, such as:

– Winning our JHB heat of the Sub-Saharan Wacken Metal Battle 2024 (playing alongside Handpicked heathens, Raptorbaby and You, Me and the harmony). ultimately playing the finals of the battle on the 4th May 2024, against 10 epic bands from 6 nations.
– We also unleashed our ‘Unified By Metal’ initiative, with the release of “Homecoming” to the world.
– And let’s not forget sharing stages with some of our musical heroes throughout JHB and in KZN, earning nods for our hard work.
– In November 2024 we launched our debut music video “Moving Parts” on YouTube.

But this is just the beginning for us. With fire in our bellies and music in our souls, we’re ready to take on the world, one riff at a time. So buckle up, because the ride with Fading Gray is going to be one hell of a journey. Rock on!

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MEET THE BAND

JUSTIN | GUITAR

Justin, a multitasking maestro balancing fatherhood, spousal duties, and teaching music, has become a fixture in the local music scene, doubling as a walking jukebox. With guitar skills that could induce spontaneous combustion and riffs that rumble like thunder, Justin might just be playing in a league of his own as the lead guitarist for Fading Gray. However, his claim to fame extends back to his days with Chromium, the melodic death metal crew from Port Elizabeth. Their albums "Intro Spectre" (2006) and "Confessions of a Hero" (2008) rocked the charts, but it was sharing a stage with 'Metallica' in 2013 that truly set them apart in rock history.

Perfect Day: Walks on the beach (With his guitar).

If Your Instrument Could Talk: Does your wife know you're with me?

Sam | Vocals

Sam, the powerhouse vocalist known for her electrifying stage presence, is the ultimate social butterfly of the SA music scene (she knows everyone). From fronting the critically acclaimed "Fragmented Children" and their album "The Machine" to joining the soulful chaos of "Aimed at You" with their last release "Like, a Million Alligators," Sam's journey has been a wild ride. Her infectious energy and untamed charisma have solidified her as the band's secret weapon, earning her the playful title of the member most likely to conquer the world with her wild personality and contagious stage antics.

Perfect Day: Eating cupcakes and moshing in her lounge with her toddler!

If Your Instrument Could Talk: ‘Fuck sho’

JASON | GUITAR

After a brief but illustrious run as the family business’ Head of Markup and Casket Interior Decor, Jason was forced to hang up his embroidered coffin liners. The crematorium world just wasn’t ready for his velvet-lined vision. With the ashes settled, he turned to his true callings: underwater basket weaving, speed crocheting, and surviving multiple “slightly avoidable” incidents — earning the totally real Guinness World Record for “Most Times Personally Resurrected by a Defibrillator.” When he’s not being shock-revived or crafting baskets beneath the waves, Jason focuses on the thing that truly lights him up: he likes guitar. A lot. Now reborn and plugged in, Jason brings his chaotic charm, questionable life choices, and stupidly good riffs to the Fading Gray family, where his talents finally make sense.

MATT | BASS

Enter Matt, the Karate Sensei turned bass guitar wizard, whose dual mastery of martial arts and music paints him as a true rockstar. With a heart as big as his talent, Matt not only lays down killer bass lines for Fading Gray but also moonlights as the band's resident "marketing guy". Known for being the king of first impressions and always having a witty comeback locked and loaded. Also, let's not forget his role in shaping the melodic metal landscape with Fragmented Children, where his passion and vision ignited the stage alongside friends in 2006, leaving an enduring mark on Johannesburg's musical tapestry.

Perfect Day: Having the band over with their better halves, manning the braai and jamming Sleep Token in the background.

If Your Instrument Could Talk: Is Nate staring at me or your junk dude?

NATE | DRUMS

Meet Nate, the drummer, whose daytime gig as a copywriter gives way to his true calling as a rockstar by night, all while being a devoted husband and father. With a colourful past jamming in garage bands and grooving with jazz/funk groups as a session drummer, Nate's rhythm is as infectious as his positive energy. Despite flying under the radar on the local music scene, his talent on the sticks is undeniable and ready to ignite any stage. Beneath the flannel and tattoos lies a heart of gold, but once the stage lights hit, be prepared to witness the unleashed beast within.

Perfect Day: Finally getting to see Matt kick someone in the head.

If Your Instrument Could Talk: “Yes he beats me, but I love him…”

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bookings@fadinggray.co.za | info@fadinggray.co.za

Photographs courtesy of Christelle Duvenage, Michaela Doran & inframe studio