Alien Weaponry
{{Short description|New Zealand Maori metal band}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Alien Weaponry
| image = Alien Weaponry 306 (51461636504).jpg
| landscape = yes
| caption = Alien Weaponry in 2015
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| origin = Waipu, New Zealand
| years_active = 2010–present
| label = Napalm Records
| website = {{URL|alienweaponry.com}}
| current_members = {{ubl
| Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong
| Lewis Raharuhi de Jong
| Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds
}}
| past_members = {{ubl
| Wyatt Channings
| Ethan Trembath
}}
}}
Alien Weaponry is a New Zealand metal band from Waipu, formed in Auckland in 2010.{{Cite web|title=Alien Weaponry Biography, Songs, & Albums|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/alien-weaponry-mn0003727199#biography|access-date=2021-09-26|website=AllMusic}} The band consists of drummer Henry de Jong, guitarist Lewis de Jong, and since August 2020, bass player Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds. All three members have Māori ancestry and a number of their songs are written and performed in the Māori language.
History
Alien Weaponry was formed in Auckland in 2010 by two brothers, drummer Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong and guitarist/singer Lewis Raharuhi de Jong, who were only 10 and 8 years old respectively.{{cite news|title=Talented Waipu kids form band: Alien Weaponry |first=Sandra |last=Bogart |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11179845 |access-date=23 September 2020 |newspaper=Northern Advocate |via=The New Zealand Herald |date=31 December 2013}} Their mother and their paternal grandfather are of Dutch descent, and their father and paternal grandmother are Māori.{{cite news |title=Māori Language Week: Whangārei heavy metal band Alien Weaponry release concert video |first=Jodi |last=Bryant |date=18 September 2020 |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/maori/news/article.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=12365858 |newspaper=Northern Advocate |via=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=23 September 2020}} Their tribal connections are with Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Raukawa.{{cite news |title=Alien Weaponry, Theia, Troy Kingi on rise of Māori language in music |first=Mike |last=McRoberts |date=14 September 2020 |url= https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2020/09/alien-weaponry-theia-troy-kingi-on-rise-of-maori-language-in-music.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200915025411/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2020/09/alien-weaponry-theia-troy-kingi-on-rise-of-maori-language-in-music.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 15 September 2020 |newspaper=Newshub |access-date=23 September 2020}} The brothers named the band Alien Weaponry after watching the film District 9.{{Cite web |title=Alien Weaponry {{!}} NZ Artist Directory {{!}} NZ Music Commission |url=https://nzmusic.org.nz/artists/metal/alien-weaponry/ |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=nzmusic.org.nz}} After moving to the small town of Waipu they were joined by bassist Ethan Trembath in April 2013. Trembath replaced Wyatt Channings who had briefly played bass for the band the previous year. The band were managed by the de Jong boys' father Niel, himself an experienced rock musician and audio engineer who also filled the role of front of house sound engineer when they toured. Their mother Jette is also involved with the band, tour managing and acting as the band's publicist.John Ferguson, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20200924151308/https://nzmusic.biz/industry/niel-de-jong-meet-the-man-behind-alien-weaponry/ Niel de Jong: meet the man behind Alien Weaponry]}}, NZ Music Business, 25 June 2018
In 2016, the band won both the national finals of Smokefree Rockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats (now Smokefree Tangata Beats) — the first of two bands to have ever won both events (the other being Top Shelf of Manurewa High School in 2024).{{cite news|title=Smokefreerockquest national finals results 2015 |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1509/S00187/smokefreerockquest-national-finals-results-2015.htm |access-date=14 September 2015|work=Scoop|date=14 September 2015}} They had previously come second in the 2015 Smokefree Rockquest, and been regional finalists for four years running. The band also toured with New Zealand chart topping band Devilskin on their "We Rise" tour in 2014 and performed at The Powerstation in support of Shihad in May 2015.{{cite news|title=Shihad shoulder-tap a dream come true for Alien Weaponry|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/68483342/shihad-shouldertap-a-dream-come-true-for-alien-weaponry|access-date=13 May 2015|work=Stuff |publisher=Fairfax Media|date=13 May 2015}}{{cite news|title=Review: Devilskin: We Rise Tour|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=11313964|access-date=25 August 2014 |work=Rotorua Daily Post |via=The New Zealand Herald |date=25 August 2014}} Alien Weaponry are believed to be youngest recipients to have ever received New Zealand on Air funding with their song "Rū Ana Te Whenua" in October 2015. They received a {{currency|10000|NZD}} grant to complete recording of their song and produce a video in 2015{{cite news|title=Waipu's Alien Weaponry lands $10,000 grant for thrash metal song in te reo Maori|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/whangarei-leader/73672201/waipus-alien-weaponry-lands-10000-grant-for-thrash-metal-song-in-te-reo-maori.html|access-date=4 November 2015|work=Stuff |publisher=Whangarei Leader|date=4 November 2015}} and then another two {{currency|10000|NZD}} On Air grants in 2016 to record their singles "Urutaa" and "Raupatu" and produce music videos.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} In 2016, the band was named by UK Metal Hammer magazine as one of New Zealand's top 10 metal acts.{{cite web |last1=Lewry |first1=Fraser |title=10 of the best metal bands from New Zealand |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/10-of-the-best-metal-bands-from-new-zealand |website=Metal Hammer|access-date=16 September 2020 |date=24 October 2016}}
File:Pause Guitare 2022 20220710 192829.jpg
The band toured Europe and North America for the first time in the latter half of 2018, performing as a supporting act for Ministry in their American tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/alien-weaponry-have-hit-america-just-in-time/|title=Alien Weaponry Have Hit America Just in Time|website=Kerrang!|date=18 December 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019}} During their European tour, they performed at several large music festivals, including Metaldays, and Wacken Open Air, the largest heavy metal music festival in the world. In 2019 they toured Europe and North America again. As bassist Ethan was unavailable for the final American leg of the tour as he chose to return to New Zealand to finish his high school exams, bassist Bobby Oblak filled the role.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/AlienWeaponry/posts/2903330793073464|title=Alien Weaponry|website=Facebook.com|access-date=10 October 2020}} The band had stated that they had a goal of performing at Wacken before Henry, the drummer, was 20. They succeeded in that goal, as Henry was only 18 at the time of their performance.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/108314623/alien-weaponry-on-their-huge-year-and-why-they-want-to-be-invited-to-play-for-trump|title=Alien Weaponry on their huge year and why they want to be invited to play for Trump|website=Stuff |date=9 November 2018|language=en|access-date=21 February 2019}}
On 17 February 2019, the band (alongside Radio New-Zealand) released a ten part documentary series entitled: 'Alien Weaponry Shake Europe', that documented their European tour the year prior.{{cite web|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/2018680395/new-alien-weaponry-documentary-follows-the-band-s-european-tour|title=New Alien Weaponry documentary follows the band's European tour|last=Murray|first=Alice|date=30 January 2019|website=Radio New Zealand |language=en-nz|access-date=21 February 2019}} In December 2018, Holding My Breath was made the official theme song for NXT TakeOver: Phoenix (series of specials produced by WWE featuring NXT brand).{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/nxt-takeover-phoenix-nxtloud|title=New #NXTLOUD artist announced for NXT TakeOver: Phoenix|website=WWE|language=en|access-date=19 February 2020}}
On 19 August 2020, it was announced that bassist Ethan Trembath would be departing the band and he would be replaced with high school friend Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds, also Māori, of Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Wai and Ngāti Hine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/316119405127962/posts/4200443886695475/|title=Ethan Bass Handover|access-date=10 October 2020|website=Facebook.com}} In official video declaration Ethan Trembath said that the reason of leaving the band is: "health and my own happiness" also being away from home and pursuing a career in making music in studio.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvIqJSsPDgg|title=Alien Weaponry - Ethan Bass Handover|access-date=24 November 2021|website=youtube.com|date=18 August 2020 }}
10 September 2020 saw an announcement from the band that they were shifting management to The Rick Sales Entertainment Group based in Los Angeles. Rick Sales is the long-standing manager of Slayer and also represents other notable metal artists such as Gojira, Mastodon and Ghost in his small exclusive portfolio.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/AlienWeaponry/posts/4314918245248038|title=Alien Weaponry|website=Facebook.com|access-date=10 October 2020}}
Niel de Jong continued on in the role of production manager and front of house engineer under the pseudonym Hammerhead.
January 2021 saw Alien Weaponry appear on the cover of British heavy metal publication Metal Hammer Magazine with the tag line "Meet The Future Of Metal" {{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/alien-weaponry-scores-cover-fame-at-metal-hammer/DJBNYOALOJYPZXDT2FARJGRB6U/|title=Alien Weaponry|website=The New Zealand Herald|access-date=9 January 2021}} The band was profiled by The Guardian newspaper in September 2021.
{{cite news
| last1 = Mills | first1 = Matt
| title = 'Racism is rampant': Alien Weaponry, the metal band standing up for Māori culture
| date = 28 September 2021
| work = The Guardian
| location = London, United Kingdom
| issn = 0261-3077
| url = https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/sep/28/racism-is-rampant-alien-weaponry-the-metal-band-standing-up-for-maori-culture
| access-date = 2021-09-28
}}
They were nominated 'Breakthrough Oceanian Band' and 'Breakthrough International Band' at the 2021 Global Metal Apocalypse awards, they finished 3rd & 4th respectively.{{Cite news|url=https://globalmetalapocalypse.weebly.com/metal-news/global-metal-apocalypse-gma-awards-2021-the-results|date=2022-01-09|website=Global Metal Apocalypse|title=Global Metal Apocalypse (GMA) Awards 2021 - The Results|access-date=2022-01-09|language=en}} In 2023, the song 'Kai Tangata' from Tū became the theme for New Zealand-born pro wrestler Henare.
=Albums=
Alien Weaponry released their debut EP The Zego Sessions in August 2014 and began work on their debut album at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios in Auckland with record producer Tom Larkin in September 2015.{{cite news|title=Are these teenage metallers NZ's next big thing?|url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11542937|access-date=20 November 2015|work=The New Zealand Herald |date=20 November 2015}}{{cite news|title=Waipu's Alien Weaponry lands $10,000 grant for thrash metal song in te reo Maori |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/whangarei-leader/73672201/waipus-alien-weaponry-lands-10000-grant-for-thrash-metal-song-in-te-reo-maori.html|access-date=4 November 2015 |work=Stuff |publisher=Whangarei Leader|date=4 November 2015}}{{cite news|title=Alien Weaponry |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/201763702/alien-weaponry|access-date=24 July 2015|work=Music 101|publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=24 July 2015}} In November 2016 Alien Weaponry released their single and music video for "Urutaa" as the first offering from their upcoming album. February 2017 saw the release of their second single "Raupatu" and in July 2017 they released "Rū Ana Te Whenua".
In January 2018 the band went back into the studio with producer Hammerhead to continue work on their first full-length album which included some of their biggest hits, Kai Tangata and Holding My Breath. On 1 June 2018, their album Tū was released,{{cite web|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/te-reo-thrash-metal-band-alien-weaponrys-album-t-hits-number-one-new-zealand-chart|title=Te Reo thrash metal band Alien Weaponry's album Tū hits number one on the New Zealand album chart|via=TVNZ}} debuting at number five on the New Zealand album charts,{{Cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/|title=The Official New Zealand Music Chart|website=Nztop40.co.nz|access-date=10 October 2020}} the top New Zealand album of the week.
On 17 September 2021, they released their sophomore album Tangaroa, also produced and mixed by Hammerhead at their studio in Waipu New Zealand.
Alien Weaponry released their latest album, Te Rā, on March 28, 2025 via Napalm Records.{{cite web | url=https://www.kerrang.com/alien-weaponry-announce-new-album-te-ra | title=Alien Weaponry announce new album te Rā | date=15 January 2025 }}
Musical style, influences and lyrical themes
File:Alien Weaponry Tuska 2019 (2).jpg
Alien Weaponry's debut single, "Urutaa", is sung partly in the Māori language and was originally about a clash of ideas and expectations leading to stress and unhappiness, which was likened to a plague or urutaa (an outbreak). The Māori lyrics refer to events that occurred in the Bay of Islands in the 1800s and what followed after a pocket watch was inadvertently dropped into the harbour. The misunderstanding culminated in the burning of the Boyd, a grim set of events in New Zealand's colonial history. The band says, "This incident is used in this song as a metaphor for the misunderstandings that continue to plague us today – between cultures, generations and individuals who torment each other through lack of understanding." {{Citation needed|reason= This appears to be a direct quote from the band - what is the written source of this quote? |date=June 2020}}
The band's second single "Raupatu" (released in February 2017) is about land confiscations by the New Zealand colonial government in the 1800s and the legislation of 1863 that allowed it to happen. Their third single, "Rū Ana te Whenua" (the trembling earth), released 1 July 2017, refers to the mighty battle at Pukehinahina/Gate Pa in 1864 where the brothers' great-great-great-grandfather, Te Ahoaho, lost his life.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/12/05/567304737/this-new-zealand-band-is-trying-to-save-maori-culture-one-head-banger-at-a-time |title=This New Zealand Band Is Trying To Save Maori Culture One Head Banger at a Time |date=5 December 2017 |access-date=6 December 2017 |publisher=NPR |first=Ashley |last=Westerman }}
The band's musical style has been described as "nü-metal tinged thrash"{{cite web |url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/ministry-carpenter-brut-and-alien-weaponry-get-weird-in-new-york/ |title=Ministry, Carpenter Brut, and Alien Weaponry Get Weird in New York City |website=Kerrang! |date=7 December 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019}} and "thrashing groove-metal",{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/alien-weaponry-how-teenage-band-channels-m%C4%81ori-heritage-haka-thrash-metal|title=Alien Weaponry: How Teenage Band Channels Māori Heritage Into Haka Thrash Metal|date=28 March 2018|website=Revolver|language=en|access-date=21 February 2019}} with the band naming Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, and Lamb of God as inspirations.{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503437&objectid=12051088|title=Q&A with te reo Māori metal band Alien Weaponry|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |date=14 May 2018|access-date=21 February 2019|language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777}}{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Brenton |title=Interview - Alien Weaponry Talk 'Tangaroa' And Bringing Māori History To The Metal Masses |url=https://www.maniacsonline.com.au/news/interview-alien-weaponry-talk-tangaroa-bringing-maori-history-to-the-metal-masses |website=Maniacs |access-date=26 September 2021 |date=20 September 2021}} They are also often likened to a Māori version of Roots-era Sepultura, both for their musical style and infusion of indigenous culture into their music.
Guitarist Lewis de Jong cites Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lamb of God, System of a Down, Meshuggah, and Polyphia as influences.
Members
=Current members=
- Henry de Jong – drums, backing vocals {{small|(2010–present)}}
- Lewis de Jong – guitars, lead vocals {{small|(2010–present)}}
- Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds – bass, backing vocals {{small|(2020–present)}}
=Former members=
- Wyatt Channings – bass, backing vocals {{small|(2012)}}
- Ethan Trembath – bass, backing vocals {{small|(2013–2020)}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="5"| Peak chart positions |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NZ {{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Alien+Weaponry|title= Discography Alien Weaponry |publisher=Recorded Music NZ. Hung Medien|accessdate=10 February 2022}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NZ
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| GER ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWI
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US |
| scope="row"| Tū
|
| 5 || 1 || — || — || 25 |
| scope="row"| Tangaroa
|
| 19 || 4 || 85 || 98 || — |
| scope="row"| Te Rā
|
| 30 |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:85%;"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart. |
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:12em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:16em;"| Album details |
|---|
| scope="row"| The Zego Sessions
|
|
=Singles=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.alienweaponry.com/ Official website]
- {{allMusic}}
- [https://nzmusic.org.nz/artists/metal/alien-weaponry/ Alien Weaponry at nzmusic.org.nz]
{{authority control}}
Category:2010 establishments in New Zealand
Category:New Zealand musical trios
Category:Groove metal musical groups
Category:New Zealand heavy metal musical groups
Category:New Zealand thrash metal musical groups
Category:Alternative metal musical groups