Maori collective Alien Weaponry are primed to set the world of heavy music ablaze with the eagerly-awaited arrival of their Napalm Records full length, Te Rā.
The project was produced by Josh Wilbur and further underscores the band's potent, pummeling composition and savvy songwriting. As has become the signature for AW, the band's aggressive soundtrack is driven by substantial themes - delving into subject matter ranging from cultural identity to technological dependence and beyond.
Among the most intriguing entries on Te Rā includes the cosign of the inimitable Randy Blythe of Lamb of God for the track, “Taniwha”. A showcase single on the record, the track arrives just days before the album's release, punctuating what has been a compelling preview campaign featuring mammoth singles like "Mau Moko" and "1000 Friends".
The band spoke about the final single ahead of the album release and the kind of full circle moment they experienced in working with such an influential figure like Randy Blythe.
“Lamb of God played a significant role in making Alien Weaponry what it is today and this collaboration with Randy Blythe feels like one of those ‘pinch yourself’ moments that our teenage selves would never believe possible. Randy’s lyricism and vocal expertise was an amazing addition to this song and we are beyond stoked to share this song/milestone with the world.”
Speaking to the greater scope of the album, frontman Lewis Raharuhi de Jong explained, "We really stepped it up this time, as we understood that this album had to go further. We went through a lot of songs and scrapped entire sections of songs. We kept working them and working them until we got them right. Then, with the way we were pushing ourselves musically, I knew it was important to challenge myself lyrically as well. This time I delved into difficult emotional places and mental states. There’s a lot of existential dread running through the album, and I tried to find the right words to describe the indescribable.”
Te Rā lands March 28th via Napalm Records. Order the album - HERE
