Hear Māori Thrashers Alien Weaponry's Savage New Song "Ahi Kā" | Revolver

Hear Māori Thrashers Alien Weaponry's Savage New Song "Ahi Kā"

Kiwi trio's latest outraged single tells "untold story in New Zealand history"
alien weaponry 2018 PRESS
Alien Weaponry, 2018

Kiwi tribal-metal upstarts Alien Weaponry have dropped a grooving, chant-along track "Ahi Kā," their first new material since the 2018 release of the trio's debut album, Tū. The cut, which premiered via Billboard, will also appear on Adult Swim's forthcoming compilation Metal Swim 2, which comes out tomorrow (May 3rd) and feature new tracks from Author & Punisher, Baroness, Botanist, Eyehategod, Nervosa, Oathbreaker, Sunn O))), the Body, Vile Creature, and more.

"'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," Alien Weaponry's singer-guitarist Lewis de Jong says of the track, which, like many of the band's songs, is sung in New Zealand's indigenous language Te Reo Māori. "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." Check out "Ahi Kā" below, and watch the group's recent NYC performance of standout cut "Rū Ana te Whenua."