Alien Weaponry Release New Song ‘Ahi Ka’
New Zealand's Alien Weaponry left their mark on 2018 with their impressive debut album, Tū, blending punishing rhythms with the warrior spirit of the native Maori tribe. As they gear up for the first-ever North American headlining tour, they've debuted a new song, "Ahi Ka," which can be heard below.
The track is one of the selections on the new Adult Swim compilation, Metal Swim 2, which comes out tomorrow (May 3). "Ahi Ka" seesaws between bleak, oppressive atmospheres and pit-intensive riffs, telling a harrowing tale from New Zealand's past.
In 1953, the Auckland city council elected to burn down a dilapidated Maori village ahead of the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II. This event fueled a four-decade long battle as the Ngati Whatua tribe sought to reclaim their land. Part of the land was returned among growing global criticism.
Guitarist Lewis de Jong told Billboard (who premiered the track), "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."
Henry de Jong, drummer and brother of Lewis, stated, "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."
Listen to "Ahi Ka" and check out Alien Weaponry's upcoming tour dates below.
Metal Swim 2 is a streaming-only release and will be available for free here.
Alien Weaponry 2019 North American Tour Dates
May 04 — Mexico City, Mexico @ Domination Festival
May 06 — Dallas, Texas @ Cambridge Room at House of Blues
May 07 — Houston, Texas @ Bronze Peacock @ House of Blues
May 08 — Austin, Texas @ 3TEN ACL Live
May 11 — Rockingham, N.C. @ Epicenter
May 12 — Washington, D.C. @ DC9
May 13 — Boston, Mass. @ Middle East
May 15 — New York, N.Y. @ Saint Vitus
May 16 — Montreal, Quebec @ L'Esco
May 17 — Toronto, Ontario @ Velvet Underground
May 19 — Chicago, Ill. @ Chicago Open Air
May 22 — Minneapolis, Minn. @ 7th St Entry
May 24-26 — Pryor, Okla. @ Rocklahoma
May 26 — Denver, Colo. @ Bluebird Theater
May 28 — San Francisco, Calif. @ Bottom of the Hill
May 29 — Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Roxy
See Alien Weaponry in the 30 Best Metal Songs of 2018