Alien Weaponry: Thrash Metal Forged in Māori Culture

Alien Weaponry is a New Zealand thrash metal band renowned for seamlessly blending aggressive metal with the Māori language and indigenous themes. Formed in Northland by brothers Henry and Lewis de Jong, the band achieved a landmark in 2018 when their debut album, Tū, debuted at number one on the New Zealand Albums Chart.

Early career

The band was formed in 2010 by brothers Henry (drums) and Lewis de Jong (guitar/vocals), who were then just eight and ten years old, later joined by bassist Ethan Trembath. Their father, a musician himself, introduced them to metal and encouraged them to write songs in te reo Māori, their ancestral language, as a way to connect with their heritage. Their early promise was recognized when they won the Smokefreerockquest high school music competition in 2016, leading to significant local attention.

Breakthrough

Alien Weaponry's international breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the release of their debut album, Tū, via the German metal label Napalm Records. The album's powerful fusion of groove-laden thrash and Māori history, sung predominantly in te reo Māori, resonated globally, earning them features in major publications and a debut at number one on the New Zealand charts. This success was solidified by extensive international touring, including major European festival circuits.

Key tracks

Kai Tangata — This explosive single became their signature track, its lyrics about historic Māori warfare driving its viral music video to millions of views.

Rū Ana Te Whenua — Their first major song written entirely in te reo Māori, it established their unique cultural-metal identity from a young age.

Ahi Kā — A standout from their second album, this track showcases their evolving songwriting with a massive, chant-along chorus rooted in themes of land and home.

Holding My Breath — Demonstrating their versatility, this English-language track from Tū tackles modern anxiety with a relentless, pummeling rhythm section.

The band's second album, Tangaroa, released in 2021, further expanded their sonic palette and lyrical themes, addressing environmental issues and personal struggles. They have continued to build a formidable live reputation, performing alongside acts like Slayer and performing at prestigious festivals like Wacken Open Air. Bassist Ethan Trembath departed in 2022, with new bassist Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds joining the lineup.

Fans of Alien Weaponry's intense, culturally-charged metal might also explore other powerful acts from the region. Devilskin delivers a hard-hitting alternative metal sound from New Zealand with soaring female vocals. Jakob is a celebrated New Zealand post-rock/instrumental band known for creating vast, cinematic soundscapes. For another blend of indigenous culture with heavy music, Testament offers classic thrash metal excellence, occasionally incorporating Native American themes. The groove-oriented modern metal of Lamb Of God shares a similar relentless energy and rhythmic precision.

The distinctive sound of Alien Weaponry has earned them regular rotation on specialty metal radio stations, independent music radio stations focusing on global heavy music, and online rock radio streams dedicated to the latest in extreme music. Their unique cultural perspective and undeniable musical force make them a staple for programmers seeking impactful and innovative metal.

You can hear the powerful music of Alien Weaponry on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover and stream their thrash metal anthems through the various online rock and metal radio stations available on onairium.com.