ALIEN WEAPONRY’s Te Rā Cements Their Legacy as Modern Metal Warriors – Album Review

Alien Weaponry has been an undeniable force in modern metal since their explosive debut Tū (2018), and their third album, Te Rā, cements their status as a promising young act and a band fully realized in their power. Combining their signature Māori heritage with groove-driven, pummeling metal, Te Rā is a bold, aggressive, and deeply resonant offering that pulls no punches.

One of Alien Weaponry’s hallmarks has always been their clean yet crushing production, and under the guidance of veteran producer Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Gojira, Megadeth), the band refines their approach even further. The album is as heavy as anything they’ve done, with punishing riffs, groove-laden drum work, and anthemic choruses destined to ignite crowds worldwide. Tracks like “Crown“ and “Mau Moko“ deliver immediate, chest-thumping intensity, while “1000 Friends“ and “Blackened Sky“ showcase their ability to balance melody with their signature aggression.

One of the most captivating aspects of Alien Weaponry’s music has always been their seamless incorporation of te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand. Te Rā continues this tradition in a way that feels more vital than ever. Whether it’s the war cry-infused energy of “Tama-nui-te-rā“ or the raw historical weight behind “Ponaturi,” the band wields their culture as a sonic weapon, reinforcing themes of identity, struggle, and resilience. This is particularly striking in “Mau Moko,” a track that delves into the Māori practice of facial tattooing, balancing reverence for tradition with an exploration of its modern social implications.

One of the album’s most intense moments arrives with “Taniwha,” featuring guest vocals from Randy Blythe of Lamb of God. Blythe’s venomous growls complement Lewis Raharuhi de Jong’s forceful delivery, creating one of the most viscerally charged songs in the band’s catalog. Meanwhile, “Te Kore“ closes the album on a haunting note, exploring the Māori concept of primordial nothingness in a slow-burning yet powerful way.

Lyrically, Te Rā strikes a balance between the historical and the contemporary, making it one of the band’s most socially and politically charged records to date. Songs like “Crown“ and “Hanging by a Thread“ tackle themes of disenfranchisement and mental struggle, while “Blackened Sky“ touches on looming global crises. The result is an album that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable, a testament to Alien Weaponry’s evolution as songwriters.

With Te Rā, Alien Weaponry has delivered their most mature, fully realized work to date. It is a powerful statement of identity, resilience, and musical growth. Balancing brute force with cultural storytelling, the album solidifies their place as one of modern metal’s most important acts. If their past two records proved their potential, Te Rā proves their staying power. Alien Weaponry isn’t just the future of metal; they are its present.

Te Rā Tracklist:

1    Crown
2    Mau Moko
3    1000 Friends
4    Hanging by a Thread
5    Tama-nui-te-rā
6    Myself to Blame
7    Taniwha (feat. Randy Blythe)
8    Blackened Sky
9    Te Riri o Tāwhirimātea
10    Ponaturi
11    Te Kore

ALIEN WEAPONRY is:
Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong – Drums, Backing vocals
Lewis Raharuhi de Jong – Guitars, Lead vocals
Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds – Bass, Backing vocals

ALIEN WEAPONRY online:
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