New Zealand-based, Polynesian heavy metal outfit Shepherds Reign announce the impending release of their eagerly anticipated forthcoming album, Ala Mai, due on 25 August via Golden Robot Records. The album carries universal themes of life, love, family, and culture, presented through the band’s unique and vivid allegorical storytelling, combining epic tales of Pacific Island mythology with a distinct, dynamic and propulsive metal edge.
This formula is perfectly captured on Ala Mai’s strikingly graphic cover art, which features a blindfolded Polynesian warrior (Chief Tafa Ai’i) in a howling rage, mid-battle cry, adorned with a tribal necklace while grasping traditional weaponry.
This is indeed heavy metal with a difference. Shepherds Reign’s songs are loaded with references to the band’s rich cultural heritage, giving extra dimension to each massive missive.
Shepherds Reign are famous for their primal performance, one which evokes many aspects of their heritage and fierce Polynesian pride. The band is set to announce September/October tour dates for New Zealand, to be followed by Australia, before venturing across the waves to the UK and Europe in early 2024.
