ALIEN WEAPONRY are considered as one of the biggest names in Heavy Metal by international critics, especially in their home country, New Zealand, where the local band achieved almost familiar name status. In May 2021, the band plans to perform simultaneously with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in two exceptional performances, taking place in Kirikiriroa Hamilton and Otautahi Christchurch.
The performance events appropriately entitled "Stronger Together", will be a unique musical experience for the dedicated audience, Nzso and Alien Weaponory. The shows are: Alien Weaponry's first with an modern orchestra and Nzo's first collaboration with a metal band in its 75-year history.
The performance events appropriately entitled "Stronger Together", will be a unique musical experience for the dedicated audience, Nzso and Alien Weaponory. The shows are: Alien Weaponry's first with an modern orchestra and Nzo's first collaboration with a metal band in its 75-year history.
The official launch of "Tu" by Napalm Records in 2018, Alien Weaponry tells stories of social conflict and mourning emotionally and politically charged with a warrior attitude, with several songs in the original aboriginal language of "te reo Maori". Some, including "Kai Tangata", perhaps the local band's biggest hit, and with the official incorporation of "taonga puoro", traditional instruments of the Maori people of New Zealand. These highlighted elements of the band's music are ready to wisely make "Stronger Together" an exceptional night for everyone in the venue.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Lewis de Jong, drummer Henry de Jong (Ngati Pikiao and Ngati Raukawa) and bass player Turanga Morgan-Edmonds (Ngati Rarua, Ngati Wai and Ngati Hine) can’t wait to play with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, led by renowned New Zealand conductor Holly Mathieson.
Bassist Turanga Morgan-Edmonds adds: "Being trained as a classical pianist when I was a child, I've always wanted to play in the true orchestra experience. And now to be able to be a part of something involving the talented team of the Nzso, I am super excited, and I’m so glad I get to join it with our passion for heavy metal too!” Nzso Chief Executive Peter Biggs says audiences will be blown away: “Classical and metal share much of the same DNA. Many of metal and hard rock’s biggest names, including Eddie Van Halen, loved and took inspiration from classical composers and performers. Metallica’s live album S&M with the San Francisco Symphony sold in the millions. While we’ve collaborated with some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best-known bands and artists, for us to finally play with a metal band of Alien Weaponry’s calibre will be one of the highlights of 2021.”
Alien Weaponry has made headlines around the world with its unique fusion of thrash metal and its native language, te reo Maori. Let us remember they are not pioneers in mixing instruments of the natives with Heavy Metal, Sepultura in "Roots" did it, with songs like "Attitude", "Canyon Jam", "Itsari". The Alien Weaponry appeared on the cover of Metal Hammer UK, occupied the No. 1 position for 13 weeks in the Devil's Dozen countdown on SiriusXM Liquid Metal, their debut album "Tu" was elected the album of the decade by the Finnish metal magazine "Tuonela", and American metal the magazine" evolver"which named the band most likely to explode in 2021. In Denmark, they were received at the Copenhell Festival by a crowd of 10,000 people making a"haka" in their honor and opened the concert by Slayer in Stuttgart, Germany, at their last European show last year.
While the world was blocked, the band was in New Zealand, writing and recording their second album, due to be released soon.
Order ALIEN WEAPONRY's latest full-length album "Tu" HERE
