New Zealand global metal frontrunners ALIEN WEAPONRY just dropped their highly-anticipated sophomore album “Tangaroa” last Friday via Napalm Records. “Tangaroa” is a massive next step for the band – encompassing all of the elements that make ALIEN WEAPONRY heavy metal’s most authentic rising stars.
Following their two hard-hitting recent singles “Tangaroa” and “Buried Underground”, ALIEN WEAPONRY have revealed a third new standout single, “Hatupatu”. Performed entirely in the indigenous language of te reo Māori, the story behind this track is not only legendary in the band’s culture – it’s about one of the de Jong brothers’ ancestors! Journey alongside Hatupatu in the new music video as he escapes the dangerous clutches of the fabled witch of the forest, the evil bird-woman Kurangaituku.
Drummer Henry de Jong says: “The story of ‘Hatupatu’ is one Lewis and I grew up with – our father was the first person to tell us as children. Having a family connection with it only made creating a song more intriguing for us. Traditionally, Māori legends were passed down through families by re-telling them, not by having them written down in books. It only makes sense for us to be re-telling this story as our tūpuna (ancestors) did for generations. We cannot wait to share with the rest of the world.”
Rhythmic, dynamic album opener “Titokowaru” begins with determined rowing chants and depicts the tale of a famous war chief that challenged the colonial government in New Zealand and led a rebel army, backed by quick riffage and driving drums. Following standout “Hatupatu”, inspired by the harrowing, legendary tale of a de Jong ancestor facing off with a witch, is carried by frenzied guitars, spirited chanting and tribal-like percussion. While ALIEN WEAPONRY sourced inspiration from their culture and environmental surroundings while writing most of Tangaroa, the band also looked inward – drawing vision for other portions of the album from within. The album dives into some of their most effecting personal experiences, with English-language songs like the pensive “Unforgiving”.
Since releasing their acclaimed debut “Tū” (2018), the New Zealanders’ kinetic presence and sound – combining elements of thrash and groove metal with lyrics in the native indigenous language, te reo Māori — has attracted throngs of fans and media supporters across the globe. As with their 2018 single “Kai Tangata” – which has amassed more than 10 million views on YouTube and claimed the number-one spot on SiriusXM Liquid Metal’s “Devil’s Dozen” for 13 consecutive weeks – much of “Tangaroa” is immersed in the historical stories and cultural heritage of the Māori people.
“Tangaroa” Album Artwork
“Tangaroa” tracklisting:
1. Titokowaru
2. Hatupatu
3. Ahi KāT
4. Tangaroa
5. Unforgiving
6. Blinded
7. Kai Whatu
8. Crooked Monsters
9. Buried Underground
10. Dad
11. Īhenga
12. Down The Rabbit Hole
“Tangaroa” is available in North America in the following formats:
- 4 page CD Digipack
- 4 page CD Digipack + Patch
- 2LP Gatefold Black
- 2LP Gatefold Turquoise
- 2LP Gatefold Marble Light Blue/Cream (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 500)
- 2LP Gatefold Marble Orange/Transparent Black (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 500)
- Wooden Box Edition: CD Digipack, pendant, patch, cover flag, canvas tote bag (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 500)
- Die-Hard Edition: 2LP Gatefold Marble Crystal Clear/Curacao, hand numbered with guitar pic set and back patch (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 400)
- Digital Album
Accented by personal touches like its entrancing album art originally conceptualized from drawings by Lewis de Jong, “Tangaroa” is a massive next step for a band on the rise, encompassing all of the elements that make ALIEN WEAPONRY heavy metal’s most authentic rising stars.
Henry de Jong says about “Tangaroa”: “The album is tied together with the message of ‘Tangaroa’ – the whole album is more a snapshot of the band’s brains during the writing process. We have also written songs that are about some of our first tūpuna (ancestors) who were here in Āotearoa (New Zealand). Hatupatu, who is very famous in Māori history, as well as Īhenga, who named a number of places in Āotearoa during his travels.”
Lewis de Jong adds about the album’s artwork and thematic details: “The album is named after the track ‘Tangaroa’, and we went with this theme on the artwork. The album is drawn from some new experiences we’ve had as well as some ancient Māori tales. I think we have stepped things up from the last album.”
Bassist Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds also adds: “This album’s use of even more traditional Māori sounds and styles is a very exciting step forward for us.”
