Global metal stars Alien Weaponry release new single / video ‘Hatupatu’; new album Tangaroa released today via Napalm Records

Alien Weaponry on tour alongside Gojira and Employed To Serve in 2022

International metal stars Alien Weaponry today release their highly anticipated second album Tangaroa via Napalm Records.

Order Tangaroa here: https://smarturl.it/Tangaroa-NPR

The band also release their new single/video ‘Hatupatu’, which you can view here: https://youtu.be/xvioybLgSMo

Performed entirely in the indigenous language of te reo Māori, the story behind this track is not only legendary in the band’s culture but is also written 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.

Alien Weaponry 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.”

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.

In addition, Tangaroa details stories of personal struggle and growth, as well as crucial environmentalism topics.

Having achieved past and present tours and festivals with the likes of Slayer, Black Label Society and Gojira, and being hailed the “future of metal” by esteemed magazine Metal Hammer (UK) and voted by Revolver Magazine (US) fans as “one of the bands most likely to break out in 2021”, Alien Weaponry are poised to dominate with Tangaroa. The album coalesces Alien Weaponry‘s growing maturation with an undisturbed songwriting process, resulting in their most inspired, honest and informed material yet.

In addition to lyrics written in te reo Māori, many tracks feature traditional instruments, called taonga puoro, providing the tracks their own warrior-like attitude. 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’ about facing self-loathing and insecurity, and the swirling, charging ‘Buried Underground’ detailing the aftershocks of drug abuse.

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.”

Alien Weaponry are due to hit the road alongside Gojira and Employed to Serve on a highly anticipated European and UK tour next January.

Tour dates below:

January
Helsinki, Finland – 17th Jan
Oslo, Norway – 19th Jan
Stockholm, Sweden – 20th Jan
Copenhagen, Denmark – 22nd Jan
Berlin, Germany – 24th Jan
Prague, Czech Republic – 25th Jan
Wroclaw, Poland – 27th Jan
Kraków, Poland – 28th Jan
Budapest, Hungary – 29th Jan
Zagreb, Croatia – 31st Jan

February
Vienna, Austria – 2nd Feb
Munich, Germany – 4th Feb
Zurich, Switzerland – 5th Feb
Milan, Italy – 6th Feb
Lyon, France – 8th Feb
Bordeaux, France – 9th Feb
Tilburg, Holland – 20th Feb
Wiesbaden, Germany – 22nd Feb
Oberhausen, Germany – 24th Feb
Paris, France – 26th Feb
Brussels, Belgium – 28th Feb

March
Luxembourg, Luxembourg – 1st Mar
London, England – 4th Mar
Nottingham, England – 5th Mar
Newcastle, England – 6th Mar
Glasgow, Scotland – 8th Mar
Belfast, Ireland – 10th Mar
Dublin, Ireland – 11th Mar
Manchester, England – 13th Mar
Cardiff, Wales – 14th Mar

Alien Weaponry on Tangaroa are:
Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong – Drums, Backing vocals
Lewis Raharuhi de Jong – Guitars, Lead vocals
Ethan Trembath – Bass guitars, backing vocals & lead vocals on ‘Dad’
Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds – Backing vocals & guitar on ‘Unforgiving’

Alien Weaponry online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS