Korn‘s Jonathan Davis was so excited by ORGY that he created his own record label …
Startling, brutal, mature and mightily metal, Alien Weaponry are the New Zealand trio shocking and surprising audiences at every turn with their highly political and complex brand of music–and they’re not yet 16 years old.
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With a maturity and ambition like that of musicians twice their age, it’s flooring what these guys are achieving. Their debut album Tū is a mind-blowing game-changer charging political ideals with historical accuracy, topped off with heavy metal that sparks a massive wave of inspiration. Guitarist and vocalist Lewis de Jong talks about how he and his brother, drummer Henry, and friend and bassist Ethan Trembath, incorporate New Zealand’s native language, Te Reo Māori, into the passionate angles of metal. “Me and Henry grew up with all kinds of music,” says de Jong. “We listened to a lot of Rage Against The Machine and everyone knows they’re a real political band.
“We were drawn to heavy metal because it was so real, so raw. I feel like we want to write about subjects that are real and raw and not sugar-coated in any way.”
Traditional heritage is an important element to Alien Weaponry and their music. “A lot of things about New Zealand, I guess they’re kind of swept under the rug a little bit,” says de Jong. “We’re trying to bring light to some of these issues that need to be talked about.” de Jong is taking a very mature stance and it’s incredibly admirable his band should be so active in exemplifying their country’s heritage. And giving their political concerns a soundtrack always meant for Alien Weaponry that they would incorporate elements of traditional music. “No one’s mixed heavy metal with [Māori dance] taka haka before, and the two go hand in hand once you do it, because taka haka and metal are very similar in their aggression and passion.
“We’re inspired and perform songs about [war chief] Hongi Hika who fought battles in the 1800’s, to things like Kai Tangata, [portraying issues] which have been swept under the rug in New Zealand.”
Pride, passion and aggression, all these things apparent in the sensationally accurate and prideful video for single Kai Tangata. A beautiful blend of historical accuracies, inspirations from the music of Rage Against The Machine, met with taka haka performed by the prominent group Te Matarae i Orehu. Such a visual sensation was possible thanks to distant blood ties Alien Weaponry had with them. “A few people in New Zealand know this, the rest of the world doesn’t, but Te Matarae i Orehu are one of the top groups in the country and funnily enough we’re related to some of them. We originated from the same area of the country–we’re Ngati Raukawa and are of the same descent.
No one’s mixed heavy metal with [Māori dance] taka haka before, and the two go hand in hand once you do it, because taka haka and metal are very similar in their aggression and passion.
[ Lewis de Jong ]
“The people in the video are distant relatives so it was fun to go down there, connect with our family and have a blast.”
Alien Weaponry are on the brink of delivering an epic education. When the trio perform at Dead Of Winter Festival in July it will not only be their first international appearance, but the chance for Australian music lovers to bear witness to a riveting sound with a powerful thematic backing. “Our first overseas appearance full stop,” says de Jong excitedly. “This’ll be our first show outside of New Zealand, it’s pretty exciting stuff.” Sweet yet brutal, no one will know what hit them once Alien Weaponry take to the stage. “That’s what we’re aiming for,” giggles de Jong, “We’re trying to knock socks off of people!”
With so much socio-political disparity in the world right now, it’s easy to overlook issues at home. What Alien Weaponry are about to do, reminds us we have to look to ourselves and our doorsteps before we try and take on everything–Alien Weaponry have several things to show us. “At the end of the day what we’re trying to do is prove to people Te Reo Māori is a language any one can speak and that shouldn’t be feared.
“A lot of people in New Zealand, especially non-Maori, are afraid to attempt to speak Te Reo Māori because they’re scared of upsetting [people] or offend somehow. But that’s actually worse because then the language dies out.
“I guess we’re trying to spread the use of Te Reo Māori in New Zealand, and the rest of the world.”
Alien Weaponry play this years Dead Of Winter Festival in Brisbane on Saturday July 7, tickets available here.
