Concert Review: Alien Weaponry - Auckland - 21st March 2025

Presented By Valhalla Touring

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL ALIEN WEAPONRY GALLERY BY GINNY COCKS

Review By: Riccardo Ball

Artist/Band: Alien Weaponry with support from Shepherd’s Reign

Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand

Date of Event: Friday 21st March 2025

The atmosphere in the Powerstation ahead of gig that featured two of Aotearoa’s premier metal acts was surprisingly chill.

People were standing in groups, talking, laughing and having a good time; it almost felt like walking into a Rugby club after the top side had won a game but the players were still in the changing room or like a wedding reception waiting for the bridal party to arrive. It felt like a family occasion, maybe because it was a kind of homecoming for Shepherds Reign and Alien Weaponry, who both call Tamaki Makaurau home.

Henry De Jong, drummer and band elder (at 24!) of Alien Weaponry, was at one end of the bar holding court with friends and family and greeting what felt like every second person through the door with a hug and a smile as if it was just another night and not a headlining gig at Auckland’s iconic live venue.

Shepherds Reign opened proceedings and their black and red-lit stage set drew the crowd in as they kicked things off with the anthemic Samoa Mo Samoa before transitioning into what is my favourite track these guys have spawned so far – The World Bleeds.

This track could easily pass for something Machine Head might release and it is obvious that the stagecraft and musicianship of Shepherds Reign and vocalist Filiva’a James have evolved since I last saw them headline their own show at Whammy Bar.

The cohesiveness of the South Aucklanders continues to impress throughout the set as they pump through Nafanua and Aiga like a well-oiled machine. Lead guitarist Gideon Voon really shone when he took centre stage for the solo during the later and it would not have surprised to see smoke rising from the fretboard afterwards.

Comparing anyone to the late, great Freddy Mercury is generally a frivolous exercise but I was reminded of his famous call and return with the Wembley crowd when Fili did similar! Rather than vocal scales, this was far more fitting to the audience with the Cha-Hoo’s going back and forth to the delight of all.

The band unveiled a new track Toa next, it has all the trademarks of what Shepherds Reign do well, Shaymen Rameka’s tribal rhythms, reminiscent of Roots era Sepultura set the foundation and as one the band launch into a powerhouse of a track.

The set finishes with two staples of the bands repertoire, Le Manu and Ua Masaa, the horns are up, the heads are banging and the crowd lends a chorus of backing vocals through out.

A superb set and a statement from a band that has some much more to give, I for one can’t wait for the third album.

Speaking of third albums, that’s a big part of why this tour is happening, headliners Alien Weaponry drop their third record, Te Ra, March 28th and the gathered masses are hoping for a sneak preview of what to expect.

Henry De Jong is the first of the band members on stage, looming above his kit and playing along to the intro with pukana and Kapa Haka moves before things hit hard with the opener Holding My Breath.

Lewis De Jong, younger brother of Henry and frontman of Alien Weaponry, has developed a real stage presence and gone is the teen that first fronted this band. He is shirtless, tattooed and displaying all the confidence of someone who has toured the world playing with the likes of Kerry King, Gojira and Mastodon. He delivered a rousing greeting before the band rolls into Raupatu and follows that introducing the latest single 1000 Friends with a ‘muthafuckers lets go’.

If the reaction to that song was anything to go by Te Ra isn’t going to be the bands biggest album yet.

Alien Weaponry don’t take any prisoners when it comes to the pit and it pulsated throughout the set, the band giving the fans little time to recuperate, delivery songs like “punches in bunches” as the saying goes.

PC Bro, Tangaroa, Hatupatu and Te Ara all melding seamlessly from one to the next before Lewis stopped down to introduce Ahi Ka as the band’s version of a drum & bass song. 

Te Riri and Whispers followed before one of the highlights of the night, Taniwha! This track features Lamb of God vocalist Randy Blythe who penned the lyrics for his part himself and Lewis was at pains to point out how much it meant having his all-time hero working on a song with them – it’s a killer tune too.

Another new track, Hanging by a Thread followed, more punky vibes especially with the memorable chorus of “Hanging By a Thread, Soon you’ll be fuckin’ dead” – if the pit was pulsating earlier it was pumping now.

Turanga Morgan-Edmonds came to the fore for the last stanza of tracks, a frontman in waiting, he cajoled the crowd like a season pro and his vocals complimented Lewis’ perfectly. Mau Moko, the first single from Te Ra was next before Fili from Shepherds Reign joined the band on stage for the intro to Ru Ana Te Whenua.

The giant frontman led the song off and had the crowd roaring along, what else byt Kai Tangata rounded out the set to rapturous applause.

Spent, the band took photos with the crowd from the stage before inviting all in sundry to Ding Dong Lounge for “a few beers”.

Don’t sleep on Alien Weaponry – they’re pro’s beyond their years, the performance was international standard and from what I’ve heard Te Ra will be their best offering yet.

Read the interview with Alien Weaponry by Riccardo Ball here

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