Lord Spikeheart

Over the past decade, Kenyan vocalist, songwriter, and producer Martin Kanja, known as Lord Spikeheart, has become a prominent figure in the African metal scene. He has cultivated a distinctive blend of guttural growls from the death metal tradition, screeching screams, and gravelly rap verses that resonate menacingly through head-banging instrumentals. His debut album, The Adept, released under his

label HAEKALU Records, has garnered wide- spread acclaim from prestigious media outlets,

including The Guardian (which named it one of the best 10 global albums of 2024), BBC Radio, Pitchfork, Arte, Dazed, The Fader, NTS, Crack, Resident Advisor, and The Quietus. The album has captivated audiences around the globe, from East Africa to the rest of the world, establishing a new frontier in extreme music.

In September 2025, Lord Spikeheart released his EP REIGN under HAEKALU Records. The EP is a hard-hitting encapsulation of elements of industrial, death metal, grindcore, African traditional rhythms and club sounds. Featuring collaborations with Iggor Cavalera, Brodinski, and Togolese sensations Arka’n Asrafakor, REIGN has received recognition from various outlets, including Metal Hammer, The Fader and Wire Magazine. Lord Spikeheart is renowned for his captivating stage presence and high-energy live performances, which often ignite exhilarating mosh pits filled with enthusiastic fans. Attending a Lord Spikeheart concert is an immersive experience, where the music creates a vibrant atmosphere of excitement. From the intense beats to the electrifying riffs, each performance fosters a deep connection among attendees, leaving them buzzing with energy long after the show concludes.