New Zealand’s modern groove metal trio, ALIEN WEAPONRY, recently unveiled their most mature and powerful album to date. Te Rā, produced and mixed by the legendary Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God, Gojira, Megadeth), delivers a gnashing blend of groove, nu, math, and thrash metal, with anthemic choruses and a refined technical prowess. The album also features a special guest appearance from none other than Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God, adding an extra layer of intensity to this already explosive offering.
We had the special opportunity to chat with ALIEN WEAPONRY’s bassist, Tūranga “Tu” Edmonds. Throughout our chat, he shares the inspiration behind Te Rā, delving into the Māori legend of Māui and how it weaves its way through the album’s powerful themes. Tu also reflects on his personal journey; his eternal bond with his brother, and how bartending helped him overcome shyness and an anxiety over performing.
“If the band hit me up a year before about joining, I wouldn’t have done it,” he commented.
Don’t miss this deep dive into the creation of Te Rā and the transformative path Tūranga and ALIEN WEAPONRY have taken to get to this point.
See the full interview below:
We have our eyes on ALIEN WEAPONRY, particularly after their explosive response from fans after recently concluding their tour throughout the United States. Since releasing their acclaimed debut Tū (2018), the band have been lauded for their kinetic presence and sound, as well as their vital blend of culturally profound lyricism in both English and te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand. They solidified themselves as one of the greatest up-and-comers of their generation quickly, and the world is catching on at last.
The new album is their most refined to date. ALIEN WEAPONRY spends the entire album expanding on their hallmark messages of cultural, societal and environmental resilience. Te Rā’s gnashing blend of groove, nu, math and thrash metal shines with anthemic choruses and refreshed technical skill. A particular stand-out from the album is the quickly paced instrumentals, the crisp, clean vocals, and an otherworldly nature to the concept as a whole.
Te Rā is a bold, unwavering cry for a future in which we can all take part in the legacy of peoples like the Māori and others all around us – people who, if they aren’t seen, most certainly need to be heard! Taken as a whole, Te Rā grapples with what it’s like to be caught in the pull of divergent cultures – not just for the descendants of colonized people, but for all of us.
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