ALIEN WEAPONRY will release their album “Te Rā” in March; The video clip for «Mau Moko» – Digital Mediaverse has been published

Along with the start today of their North American tour opening for the metal icon Kerry Kingthe New Zealand modern groove metal trio, ALIEN WEAPONRYis pleased to announce its heaviest, most powerful and mature offering to date, «Te Rā«, which will go on sale on March 28 through Napalm Records.

Since releasing their acclaimed debut «You» (2018), the band has been praised for their kinetic presence and sound, as well as their vital blend of culturally deep lyricism in both English and te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand. With their third full-length album, ALIEN WEAPONRY expands on their distinctive messages of cultural, social and environmental resilience, while delivering their most massive and focused musical output to date. In the hands of the veteran producer and mixer Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God, gojira, Megadeth) and with the participation as guest vocalist of Randy Blythe of Lamb Of Godchampion of ALIEN WEAPONRY long overdue, “Te Rā”‘s crunchy blend of groove, nu, math and thrash metal shines with anthemic choruses and renewed technical prowess.

With today’s album announcement, the band has released a new single, “Mau Moko«. With lyrics in te reo Maori, the track pays homage to traditional Maori facial tattoos, while delving into the costs of maintaining customs that go against dominant cultural norms.

Take a look at the song and its new video clip below,

The lyricist and bassist of «Mau Moko«, Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmondsstates:

“Maori have a rich history of traditions that were almost lost during colonization. These traditions are currently undergoing a much-needed cultural renaissance, and that inspired me. I wanted the lyrics to remind people that moko is, and always will be, part of who we are. With the song video, we wanted to show the darker side of moko history and how the head trade contributed to the near-extinction of the tradition. “We fought against it and continue to fight for its resurgence even today.”

In “Te Rā«, listeners can hear the band redouble the aggressiveness in the verses before applying temperance, especially in the case of «Taniwha«, a great song with a death metal tendency that features the guest vocals of Randy Blytheparticularly raw. From a lyrical point of view, “Te Rā» leans noticeably towards despondency, hopelessness and frustration. While the bassist’s Maori lyrics Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds in songs like “Tama-nui-te-rā” and “Ponaturi» are inspired by the themes of history, battles and mysticism that made the first two albums so rich, the guitarist’s English lyrics Lewis Raharuhi de Jong illustrate the impact when culture collides with everyday disenfranchisement. «crown” and “Hanging by a Thread» we are introduced to the mental space in which the struggle pushes people to the brink of despair, while in «Blackened Sky” and “1000 Friends«, lewis addresses universal issues such as the looming threat of World War III and the detrimental effects of social media. In “Te Kore«, which closes the album, Tūranga dives into the primordial nothingness that is at the root of the Maori origin story, while in «Mau Moko» finds the middle ground between these perspectives. On the whole, “Te Rā» is about what it means to be caught up in the pull of divergent cultures, not just for the descendants of colonized peoples, but for all of us.

ALIEN WEAPONRY has established itself as one of the best young metal bands of its generation with a renewed musical tenacity and a crucial message. «Te Rā» is a bold and unwavering cry for a future where we can all participate in the legacy of peoples like Māori and others around us; peoples who, if not seen, undoubtedly need to be heard.

The guitarist and leader of Alien Weaponry, Lewis Raharuhi de Jong adds:

«This time we went ahead, because we knew that this album had to go further. We went through a lot of songs and threw out entire sections. We work on them over and over again until we get them right. Also, since we were pushing ourselves so much musically, I knew it was important to challenge myself lyrically as well. This time I went into difficult emotional places and mental states. “There is a lot of existential dread throughout the album, and I tried to find the right words to describe the indescribable.”

«Te Rā» will be available in the following formats:

• 1-LP Deluxe Gatefold Splatter Vinyl w/ 20» Booklet, Patch, Slipmat – Napalm mail order only, limited to 300
• 1-LP Gatefold Marbled Vinyl – Napalm mail order only, limited to 300 units
• 1-LP Double Fold Black Vinyl
• 1-CD Digisleeve
• digital album

Place your order here.

ALIEN WEAPONRY just announced a massive North American tour with metal icon Kerry Kingwhich starts today. Following the tour, the band will headline a tour of New Zealand. Find the band’s tour itinerary here.

ALIEN WEAPONRY is:
Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong – Drums, Backing Vocals
Lewis Raharuhi de Jong – Guitar, Lead Vocals
Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds – Bass, Backing vocals

(Photo – Frances Carter)