ALIEN WEAPONRY

Tu - NAPALM New Zealand prodigies give groove metal a unique tribal tint

With members between the ages of 15 and 17, you’d be forgiven for assuming that Alien Weaponry are just another young, run-of-themill extreme metal act. But, based on its music alone, Tu-– their debut album, no less – is destined to be hailed as a true titan of the groove metal subgenre. By blending the neck-snapping stomp of Sepultura with the dissonant melodies of Cleansing-era Prong, this trio shine in a riotous fireball of non-stop energy. Equally impressive is Tu-’s heritage. Using New Zealand’s Ma-ori language as a gateway to tribal chanting, folk-inspired instrumentation and a continuing anti-prejudice commentary, Alien Weaponry champion an underrepresented yet hugely intriguing culture. The album is an example of state-of-the-art heaviness being used to communicate a vital and enlightening message, putting these youngsters on a par with lauded mavens like

Venom Prison. FOR FANS OF: SEPULTURA, PRONG, PANTERA

MATT MILLS