Metal Giants Head North
Northland metal fans are in for a treat this weekend, with two of the country’s top metal bands playing in Kaitaia and
Whangarei.
On Saturday May 6, Northland’s own metal heroes, Alien Weaponry, will be joining forces with Wellington’s Bulletbelt for
the first ever heavy metal show in the Far North.
Promoter Francis Malley decided to organize the event at the Waipapakauri Hotel, North of Kaitaia, so that local metal
fans wouldn’t have to travel long distances to see “some decent metal.”
Alien Weaponry were an obvious choice – the Waipu teenagers made history in 2016 by winning the National finals of both
the Smokefree Rockquest and Pacifica Beats competitions with their unique brand of thrash metal and Te Reo Maori. They
have released two singles since the win – ‘Urutaa’ and ‘Raupatu’ – and their music has been embraced by iwi radio
stations and metal fans throughout New Zealand and beyond.
The band sings only original material, about half of which is in Te Reo Maori, and were recently named one of the top 10
metal acts in New Zealand by UK based Metal Hammer magazine.
Alien Weaponry is double billing with Wellington Black Metal band Bulletbelt, who are infamous for writing and
performing the title track to the cult zombie movie ‘Deathgasm’, and have just released their second album, ‘Rise of the
Banshee’.
“It will be our first time playing with Bulletbelt,” says Alien Weaponry frontman and lead guitarist Lewis de Jong, who
celebrated his 15th birthday recently, “and it will also be our first time that far North. We actually haven’t played a
full show in Northland for three years, and a lot has happened in that time, so we’re looking forward to blowing the
place apart.”
The night promises to be an unforgettable one, with a large number of tickets already sold and interest high.
“Accommodation and camping are available at the venue,” says promoter Francis Malley, who expects many fans to stay
over. “It’s more of a mini festival than a gig.”
Bulletbelt will also be playing at the Old Stone Butter Factory in Whangarei on Friday May 5, where it is rumoured Alien
Weaponry may be making a surprise guest appearance along with Whangarei locals Eolithic Relapse.
Saturday May 6 – Waipapakauri Hotel, Kaitaia. Tickets $20 at the door or $15 pre-sales (contact Francis Malley - malley64nz@hotmail.com)