Album Review: Alien Weaponry – Te Rā (Napalm Records)

Carl Fisher 4 min read

New Zealand modern groove metal trio Alien Weaponry are back. Expanding on their hallmark messages of cultural, societal and environmental resilience while delivering their most massive-sounding, focused musical output ever. It’s ‘Te Rā’, and it is out on March 28, 2025 via Napalm Records.

Photo Credit: Frances Carter

A word that comes to mind upon first listen is mature. Alien Weaponry have learned a hell of a lot since they first burst on to the scene with their acclaimed debut Tū in 2018, but they’ve also grown up a lot. Something that was evident in 2021’s Tangaroa too, but not in the same way as it is here. The difference maker? A renewed focus on accessibility and a much stronger balance of their unique Māori metal make up and familiar groove sound.

This is a bold step forward for Alien Weaponry and we get a really strong taste of that more accessible sound with the hefty head banger that is Crown. A hyperactive blast of vibrant metal that draws inspiration from the old-school world of groove. It might be a focused ‘out and out’ head banger, but rest assured, Alien Weaponry still have plenty to say too, and few tracks on the album capture their culture and history in the way that Mau Moko does. An absolute beast of a track, where the intensity is heightened by the lyrics and how they are delivered.

An easy track to love, and it’s going to be a long-term fan favourite. Which can’t be said for the confusing listen that is the following 1000 Friends. Is this an evolution? Considering it sounds more like a melodic metalcore track from the mid-noughties, it feels more like a devolution. Not to suggest that it isn’t a banger though, because it is, it’s just a little bit unexciting for this band.

It does show they’ve got more strings to their bow though, and all the parts (instruments and vocals) are sounding so strong again. This is an aspect of their maturing song-writing style, looking to the past as well as the future.

Darker and moodier, Hanging by a Thread’s tempo switch is quite something. Especially as the choppy guitar rhythm is so disconcertingly addictive and the vocal delivery is fire. A track that gets more and more powerful as it goes on. Although if we’re talking power, it doesn’t get more intense then Tama-nui-te-rā. The perfect amalgamation of Alien Weaponry’s cultural elements, clever melodies, and modern metal aggression.

There really is so much to take in, even if on first listen, you can take away so much too. It goes back to the word ‘accessibility’. Where the album is uniquely listenable, but the more time you spend with it, the more you can take from it. It’s certainly what will ensure you appreciate a more melodically charged and introspective track like Myself to Blame. Sit with this one, you’ll be glad you gave it the time.

Whereas Taniwha doesn’t quite need the same amount of patience as it feels very familiar, structurally, and delivers a crashing combo of guitars and drums. It also just so happens to feature the immense vocals of Randy Blythe (Lamb of God).

You’d think a track with that kind of combination would be a sign of the end times, but actually, it’s the following Blackened Sky that lays on the extinction level event. A brutishly heavy track with a soaring clean vocal chorus, yet it’s the gang shouts at the end that makes this so special. A sure-fire live hit.

Something that does also apply to many tracks here, with another being the anthemic Te Riri o Tāwhirimātea and another being the absolute groove monster that is Ponaturi. Albeit, as far as the latter goes, with some melodic experimentation too. It’s a strong latter part of the album and right up to the end, shows the fresh focus that Alien Weaponry has as they look to expand their sound and reach. This is how they can get away ending the record with something as epic, and short, as Te Kore. Statement freaking made.

Alien Weaponry – Te Rā Track Listing:

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




Links

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Alien Weaponry - Te Rā (Napalm Records)
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