Northland thrash metal band to play with NZSO
North’s Alien Weaponry and NZSO join forces for unique musical experience
Classical music and thrash metal will collide when Northland’s world-famous Alien Weaponry play with the NZ Symphony Orchestra. The band — from Waipu¯ , but now known around the world for their mix of te reo and metal — have been hailed as one of the most exciting young metal bands in the world.
They’ve earned the reputation playing at some of the largest metal festivals across the globe and some prestigious support slots.
And in May the power trio will unite with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for two special performances.
Stronger Together in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton and O¯ tautahi, Christchurch will be a unique music experience for audiences, with the NZSO and Alien Weaponry performing together.
The performance will include material from their award-winning 2018 album Tu¯ and their soon-to-bereleased second album Tangaroa.
The concerts are Alien Weaponry’s first with an orchestra and the NZSO’s first collaboration with a metal band in its 75-year history.
Embraced by audiences and critics around the world, the three-piece from Waipu¯ have gone from strength to strength since debut album.
The band have sold out headline shows in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and North America; opened for metal heavyweights Slayer, Anthrax, Ministry, Black Label Society and Prophets of Rage; and played main-stage sets to record crowds at some of the world’s biggest and most prestigious music festivals.
Alien Weaponry deliver emotionally and politically charged stories of conflict and grief with a warriorlike attitude, with many of the songs sung in te reo Ma¯ori. Some, including the high-octane Kai Tangata, incorporate taonga puoro.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Lewis de Jong, drummer Henry de Jong
(Nga¯ ti Pikia¯ o and Nga¯ ti Raukawa) and bass player
Tu¯ ranga Morgan-Edmonds (Nga¯ ti Rarua, Nga¯ ti Wai and Nga¯ ti Hine) can’t wait to play with the NZSO, led by renowned New Zealand conductor Holly Mathieson.
“I’ve always loved the idea of incorporating orchestral music with contemporary music, and when I heard that the NZSO wanted to collaborate with us I was really excited,” Lewis said.
“I think there is going to be a very interesting mix of people who come to the show, mixing the metalheads with the classical music fans. One thing for sure, the mosh pits will be insane.” Tu¯ranga said being trained as a classical pianist as a child, he had always wanted to play in the true orchestra experience. “And now to be able to be a part
of something involving the talented team of the NZSO, I am super excited, and I’m so glad I get to join it with our passion for heavy metal too.”
NZSO chief executive Peter Biggs said audiences would be blown away by the performances.
“Classical and metal share much of the same DNA. Many of metal and hard rock’s biggest names, including Eddie van Halen, loved and took inspiration from classical composers and performers. Metallica’s live album S with the San Francisco Symphony sold in the millions,” Biggs said.
“While we’ve collaborated with some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s bestknown bands and artists, for us to finally play with a metal band of Alien Weaponry’s calibre will be one of the highlights of 2021.”