Representing Polynesia, Shepherds Reign concoct folk-tinged groove metal with conviction on their recent Ala Mai album, released via Golden Robot Records.
In the same vein as others who meshed indigenous and heavy music, fans of Alien Weaponry or Sepultura should absolutely try Shepherds Reign.
Looking for a place to start? The band just dropped a video for the single “Samoa Mo Samoa.” In their Samoan language, frontman Filiva’a James tells of the US bombing the island of Samoa at the end of the 19th century, specifically the USS Philadelphia warship firing upon villages on the coast of Upolu. The whole situation is a bit complicated and involves a Samoan civil war and American-British-German alliance (learn more about the siege of Apia).
“The harbour was filled with big battleships. Their conquering about to commence. But with our faith in our shield. The storm revealed its power.”