Alien Weaponry are on the attack from the start. You cannot take away our mana. Metal haka with activism driving this machine.
That is from Raupatu. Early in the show and having received a rapturous audience welcome. Predominantly in te reo and championing tino rangatiratanga, Māori sovereignty and independence.
This is the Thrash Metal that has been wowing European fans in the heartland of the genre. Reaching a peak at the massive Wacken Open Air in Germany. The largest Metal festival in the world.
The two brothers Henry de Jong drums, and Lewis de Jong guitar and lead vocals, formed the band as youngsters in hometown Waipu, at the foot of the Brynderwyns.
Father was a musician and sound engineer, and he recognised prodigious and precocious pre-teen talent.
They have Dutch and European heritage and dad was fervent in the boys being aware of rich Māori ancestry, with the Far North steeped in key historic events. Waitangi is not far from Waipu.
This is the energy source which the band tap, to make their Thrash Metal stand apart.
There have been several in the bass guitar chair. Turanga Morgan-Edmonds seems to fit like a brother
Their movie Alien Weaponry Kua Tupu Te Ara which debuted at the Auckland Film Festival last year, highlights their youth and the strong family support.
Opening song Holding My Breath. The powerful motor cranks over a few times before roaring into life. Bleak and morbid. Void of humanity/ I’m in a black hole. Delivered at a ballad pace in the context of what follows.
Band is on a high tonight anticipating the imminent release of third album Te Ra.
First sampler played tonight is 1000 Friends and refers to communication without a voice. Metronome drums lead and dominate as the strings fire up. Clearly activist themes.
PC Bro is battering artillery and brutal rhythms, and it resonates through the moshing audience in a cathartic way.
One highlight is Hatupatu. Galloping guitars hurtle off, and a familiar Te Mate chant.
Ahi Ka allows some melody to break on through with effects-laden Surf guitar washes. The voice of Queen Elizabeth II is a ghostly presence.
Taniwha also from the forthcoming album. They pay tribute to Lamb of God, American hardcore Metalheads, as one of their main inspirations. Their lead singers voice appears as a low throaty rumble from the sound desk.
There is a guest vocalist on stage for the war cry of Rua Ana Te Whenua.
That’s Filiva’a James, lead singer and percussionist for Samoan Metal band Shepherd’s Reign.
Taking the support slot tonight and they plunder through with Thrash Metal, taking elements of Husker Du and Metallica, interwoven with a large dose of Samoan language and Polynesian themes.
Some of the band have classical backgrounds including the singer. James has a powerful voice and doesn’t need to scream. Guttural roars which can approach Mongolian throat singers.
Samoa a Samoa and the band have considerable technical chops. Guitars can play against the grain. Drum battery has the necessary firepower.
Shift up a few gears for The World Bleeds as the guitar interplay makes this relentless and menacing. Takes the foot of the pedal and a melodic outro. The world breathes a sigh.
Percussion can sound like African drums. Looking in the direction of World Music. WOMAD has encompassed this in recent times.
Ua Masaa brings melodic vocals from James as the guitars go on a fierce attack. Punctuated by thunderclaps.
Alien Weaponry take a last shot at the new album with Hanging by A Thread. Singer dials down the intensity but the strings keep ripping out the charged riffs.
Most of the pit audience have jumped on cue to Mau Moki.
The mosh pit goes crazy with final song Kai Tangata. Seems like Alien Weaponry have borrowed the intro to the Clash’s Complete Control and turned into a Metal lament.
Rev. Orange Peel
Alien Weaponry
Shepherds Reign
