Category Archives: Alien Weaponry

Alien Weaponry Announce May Shows With The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

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Alien Weaponry have announced two special concerts with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The first show will take place at Claudelands Arena in Hamilton (Kirikiriroa), New Zealand on May 22, while the second show will take place at Town Hall in Christchurch (Otautahi), New Zealand on May 29. Tickets can be found HERE.

Lewis de Jong said the following:

“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. 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.”

Turanga Morgan-Edmonds added:

“Being trained as a classical pianist when I was a child, I’ve 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!”

Peter Biggs, chief executive of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, also commented:

“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&M with the San Francisco Symphony sold in the millions. While we’ve collaborated with some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best-known 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.”

Alien Weaponry Announce New Bassist

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Alien Weaponry have officially welcomed Turanga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds to the band as their new bassist. He will be replacing Ethan Trembath in the group.

Trembath said the following:

“This is a decision that I’ve been considering for quite a long time. I have really struggled with touring and being away from home so much, and I know that it’s only going to get more intense as the band grows, so I’ve decided to focus my energies on getting work in a recording studio or the production side of things, as that’s what I’ve enjoyed most during my time with Alien Weaponry.

It’s been an awesome experience, and I know we’ll always remain good friends. And I really want to thank our fans all over the world for their amazing support, which has been truly humbling.”

Each member of the group also commented:

Lewis de Jong:

“Ethan is one of the OG crew and we are really going to miss his massive presence. But we get it, we have to respect his wish to spend more time with family and have a home life. The thing is, he lives just up the road so it’s not really goodbye. We fully expect to see a lot of Ethan on our visits back home to Waipu, New Zealand.”

Henry de Jong:

“Turanga was in my class in school and we had some mean times together playing music. We ran auditions with 10 different bass players and in the end it came back to our home boy from Bream Bay College, We are stoked to have him with us as we gear up for the next phase in our journey. Ethan has been a beast helping with the audition process and fully getting into choosing his replacement. We love him like a brother and he will always be part of the AW family.”

Turanga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds:

“I know Henry and Lewis from high school and Ethan is a good mate too. He has been so engaged and supportive during the handover and I feel privileged to be picking things up where he left off. Ethan is one of metal’s most energetic and charismatic bass players and I know he will be a hard act to follow.”

In other news, Alien Weaponry’s new album will soon be entering the mixing/mastering phase.

[via The PRP]

Alien Weaponry Cancel European/UK Tour

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Alien Weaponry have cancelled their summer European/UK tour due to the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, the group also had to take a break from recording their new album as well.

Lewis de Jong said the following about cancelling the tour:

“We are gutted that we won’t be able to make it over this summer, but rest assured we will be back among our fans as soon as we can. Stay metal, stay safe.

Henry de Jong added:

“We are so bummed to be disappointing fans, but understand the importance of us all working together in this time of global crisis to do what’s best for our communities”

As for the album, the band were recording it at Roundhead Studios in Auckland, NZ, but had to stop due to lockdown restrictions. Despite this, Ethan Trembath says they will still be working on new material:

“We have been taking the time in isolation to work on new ideas and material, which may find their way onto the album. We’re making the most of being in our bubbles and getting stuff really pumping for when touring finally kicks off again, but in the meantime we’re focused on staying healthy, staying safe and staying home.”

[via scoop.co.nz]

Alien Weaponry Bassist Ethan Trembath To Miss North American Tour

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Alien Weaponry bassist Ethan Trembath will missing the band’s upcoming North American tour so he can finish his last year of high school. During his absence, Bobby Oblak (Copia) will be filling in.

Trembath said the following:

“I don’t like to disappoint our fans, but finishing school is really important to me. It was a very hard decision, and I hope people will appreciate that.”

Oblak also commented:

“I recognized Alien Weaponry’s ‘kiwi’ accents in the artist camping ground at ‘Metaldays‘ last year, and from the first time we struck up a conversation, we all got on really well. I love their music and incredible energy on stage; and I’m stoked to be a part of it while Ethan is at school.”

Frontman Lewis de Jong added:

“We’re sad that Ethan can’t make this tour, but we understand and respect his wish to finish school. Bobby is an awesome bass player and performer, and he’s also a great guy, so we hope our fans will welcome him and show him the love you all gave us on our last North American tour.”

Trembath will reunite with the band in New Zealand this October to work on a new album and to play a number of shows in 2020.

Here’s the dates for the group’s North American tour:

With Black Label Society & The Black Dahlia Murder:

09/11 Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater
09/13 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory Concert House
09/14 Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory Concert House
09/15 Missoula, MT – The Wilma
09/16 Billings, MT – Pub Station
09/18 Colorado Springs, CO – The Black Sheep
09/19 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
09/21 Odessa, TX – Dos Amigos
09/22 Houston, TX – House of Blues
09/23 Baton Rouge, LA – Varsity Theatre
09/25 Fayetteville, AR – Fayetteville Town Center
09/27 Turtle Lake, WI – St. Croix Casino
09/28 Belvidere, IL – The Apollo Theatre
09/30 Kitchener, ON – Elements
10/01 Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
10/02 Pikeville, KY – Appalachian Wireless Arena
10/04 Boston, MA – House of Blues
10/05 Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
10/08 Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
10/10 Destin, FL – Club LA
10/11 Manchester, TN – Exit 111 Festival

Alien Weaponry:

10/13 Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
10/16 Window Rock, AZ – Window Rock Sports Center
10/17 Phoenix, AZ – Club Red
10/20 Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction
10/21 Sacramento, CA – Holy Diver
10/23 Portland, OR – Hawthorn Theatre
10/24 Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
10/26 Seattle, WA – Chop Suey

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Hey guys, we have an announcement to make for North American fans … Thought we would share this with you before it turns into a silly rumour fest … Official press release below m/m/ #NorthAmericalTour #BobbyOblak #FillingInOnBass Alien Weaponry, the New Zealand ‘Te Reo Metal’ band taking the world by storm is excited to be returning to the USA in September, where they will join Black Label Society and Black Dahlia Murder for 21 dates, followed by another 9 headline shows as well as Exit 111 festival. The lineup this time around will be slightly different, as bass guitarist Ethan Trembath is returning to New Zealand at the end of the band’s current European tour to complete his final year at high school. The band has been on the road or recording almost constantly since July 2018; and Trembath (17) admits it has been a struggle to keep up with his schoolwork. “I don’t like to disappoint our fans, but finishing school is really important to me,” says Trembath. “It was a very hard decision, and I hope people will appreciate that.” Brothers Lewis (guitar and lead vocals) and Henry (drums) de Jong will be joined in North America by bass player Bobby Oblak, whom they met at Metaldays in 2018. Oblak recently toured with Alien Weaponry in New Zealand and Australia as a member of support band COPIA. He has toured extensively internationally over the past six years, with COPIA and other bands; and it was fortuitous that he was already in Europe, with a gap in his schedule during September and October that allowed him to join Alien Weaponry in North America. “I recognised Alien Weaponry’s ‘kiwi’ accents in the artist camping ground at Metaldays last year, and from the first time we struck up a conversation, we all got on really well,” says Oblak. “I love their music and incredible energy on stage; and I’m stoked to be a part of it while Ethan is at school.” “We’re sad that Ethan can’t make this tour, but we understand and respect his wish to finish school,” says Lewis de Jong. “Bobby is an awesome bass player and performer, and he’s also a great guy, so we hope our fans will welcome him and show him the love you all gave us on our last North American Tour"

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Alien Weaponry Premiere “Blinded” Music Video

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Alien Weaponry have premiered a new video for their song “Blinded.” This track is featured on the b-side of the band’s “Ahi Ka” 7″, which was released today (July 12).

Lewis de Jong commented:

“The song has [a] very personal meaning for me, but we wanted the video to leave things more open so people can interpret it their own way. Piotr [Kwasnik] and Dwayne [Kyle] have really captured the notion of altered realities that we were going for, and we hope people will find their own messages in the images and the music.”

“We really loved making this video. Piotr Kwasnik has helped us to create six of our previous videos, and there’s a reason we keep working with him, but it was the first time we worked with Dwayne Kyle, and he really brought something new to the mix.”

[via Alternative Press]

Alien Weaponry Tease “Blinded” Music Video, Announce October North American Dates

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Alien Weaponry have shared a teaser for their “Blinded” music video. The full clip will debut on Friday (July 12), the same day the band’s “Ahi Ka” 7″ is set to be released.

Lewis de Jong commented:

“The song has a very personal meaning for me, but we wanted the video to leave things more open, so people can interpret it their own way. Piotr and Dwayne really captured the notion of altered realities that we were going for, and we hope people will find their own message in the images and the music.”

In other news, the group have also announced some headlining North American dates:

10/13 Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
10/16 Window Rock, AZ – Window Rock Sports Center
10/17 Phoenix, AZ – Club Red
10/20 Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction
10/21 Sacramento, CA – Holy Diver
10/23 Portland, OR – Hawthorn Theatre
10/24 Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
10/26 Seattle, WA – Chop Suey

These shows will follow their fall tour with Black Label Society and The Black Dahlia Murder.

Alien Weaponry To Release “Ahi Ka” 7″ In July

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Alien Weaponry have announced that they will be releasing a new 7″ titled “Ahi Ka” on July 12. The effort will come with the recently released title track on the a-side and another new song titled “Blinded” on the b-side. The record will be limited to 400 copies and pre-orders can be found HERE.

The band said the following about the tracks:

“Ahi Ka“:

“In 1952, in preparation for a Royal visit by Her Majesty the Queen, the Auckland City Council, in a misguided attempt to beautify the city, evicted the local Ngati Whatua people from their village at Okahu Bay and burned it to the ground.”

“Blinded“:

“Relationships are difficult to understand at the best of times but when you are 16 and on tour all over the world these things are bound to get confusing and hard to reconcile. Blinded is about a very personal trip down this rabbit hole.”

Tour Dates:

05/24 Pryor, OK – Rocklahoma
05/26 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
05/28 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
05/29 Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy
06/07 Berlin, GER – Musik & Frieden
06/08 Frankfurt, GER – Batschkapp
06/10 Cardiff, UK – Fuel Rock Club
06/11 Bristol, UK – The Exchange
06/12 Dublin, IRE – Vodoo Lounge
06/13 Glasgow, UK – Audio Glasgow
06/15 Donington, UK – Castle Donington (‘Download Festival‘)
06/16 London, UK – The Underground
06/17 Belval, LUX – Rockhal
06/19 Koln, GER – Luxor
06/20 Hamburg, GER – Uebel & Gefahrlich
06/21 Kobenhavn, DEN – Copenhell Festival
06/23 Clisson, FRA – Hellfest Open Air
06/25 Saarbrucken, GER – Garage
06/26 Hannover, GER – Capitol
06/28 Helsinki, FIN – Tuska Festival
07/03 Paris, FRA – Les Etoiles
07/04 Toulouse, FRA – Rue Louis Bonin
07/06 Galicia, SPA – Resurrection Fest
07/07 Lisbon, POR – RCA Club
07/09 Sevilla, SPA – Sala Even
07/10 Madried, SPA – Nasca Music Live
07/12 Barcelona, SPA – Sala Boveda
07/15 Milan, ITA – Circolo Magnolia
07/16 Padova, ITA – Parco Della Musica
07/20 Eindhoven, NET – Dynamo Metalfest
07/22 Tolmin, SLO – MetalDays
07/24 Budapest, HUN – Durer Kert
07/27 Warsaw, POL – Klub Stodola
08/02 Stuttgart, GER – Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
08/06 Munchen, GER – Backstage Werk
08/07 Dresden, GER – Alter Schlachthof
08/08 Josefov, CZE – Brutal Assault
08/10 Leeuwarden, NET – Into The Grave Festival
08/11 Kortrikj, BEL – Alcatraz
08/16 Graz, AUT – Metal On The Hill Festival

Alien Weaponry Premiere New Song “Ahi Ka”

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Alien Weaponry have premiered a new song titled “Ahi Ka.” This track will appear on Adult Swim’s new “Metal Swim 2” compilation, which will be released tomorrow (May 3).

Guitarist Lewis de Jong told Billboard the following:

“‘Ahi Ka‘ was inspired by the Auckland city council’s decision to burn down what is considered to be the unsightly indigenous Maori village of Okahu Bay in advance of Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 visit. The eviction sparked a 40-year battle for the native Ngati Whatua to reclaim their land, including protests and battles with the police. Amid worldwide criticism, a small portion of the original land was ultimately returned with an apology and some compensation.

We decided to write about it because it’s one of these untold stories in New Zealand history that really had a great impact on a lot of Maori.”

Drummer Henry de Jong added:

“For us, it’s something we felt needed to be brought to light more than it was. Me and Lewis are big fans of Adult Swim and all the shows. We thought this would be good for their compilation. If you really look into it, it’s also a commentary on what’s happening in the world, too. That’s happening to people all over the world still. I can’t understand it.”