A couple years ago, the New Zealand-based folk metal trio Alien Weaponry unveiled their sophomore full-length album titled Tangaroa, rich in Māori culture and traditional instruments like various taonga puoro.
More recently, the band dug deeper into the track “Īhenga” by visually depicting the great Te Arawa explorer who pioneered through much of the North Island, naming many lakes and rivers. Not only is Īhenga iconic to Māori and New Zealand history, but also to Alien Weaponry when considering frontman Lewis Raharuhi de Jong and drummer Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong are related to Kahumatamomoe, one of Īhenga’s travel partners.
Watch Alien Weaponry’s “Īhenga” video: