ALBUM REVIEW: Ala Mai – Shepherds Reign
Located in the depths of South Auckland, New Zealand, and armed with the thunderous heartbeat of Tonga and the warrior pride of Samoa, SHEPHERDS REIGN are a primal force of physical power and Polynesian might. Steeped in tradition and channelling the uncompromising power of the gods, the band are fast becoming a uniquely dominant presence in the global metal scene, using their voice to evoke many aspects of their cultural heritage as well as leading the charge against the world’s injustices. Alongside their powerful music, the sheer presence of each member – Filiva’a James (vocals, keytar), Oliver Leupolu (guitar), Gideon Voon (guitar), Shaymen Rameka (drums), and Joseph Oti-George (bass) – is an imposing image that stays with you.
SHEPHERDS REIGN’s long awaited and highly anticipated sophomore album Ala Mai is an incredible step up from the band’s self-titled debut released back in 2018. Returning with more pace, power and raw energy, Ala Mai is designed to get your heart racing and adrenaline hurtling through your veins. The band have doubled down on their unwavering passion for music and culture and imbued it with a fervent dedication to their craft, and as a result they’ve created a soul-shaking album that transcends cultural boundaries and awakens a primal beast inside you.
At the core of Polynesian culture is the family. Tracing its roots matrilineally, the love and pride of the tribe and honouring your ancestors is so deeply embedded that it is a key part of the Polynesian identity. Throughout Ala Mai, you can feel that the deep love of family and the blessings of their ancestors are ever present.
Alongside this, Ala Mai demonstrates the fierce sense of cultural pride that SHEPHERDS REIGN posses; it is incredibly emotive. The album tackles a variety of strongly emotional and deep topics with a noble and elegant maturity, with James’ gritty vocals dispatching the lyrics with vigour and ferocity. In many respects Ala Mai is as educational as it is musical, through the band’s incredible openness and honesty as well as passion for sharing their culture, every song on this album teaches you something. That in and of itself is why Ala Mai feels incredibly special.
Musically, the album is incredibly dynamic, packed with groove and fist-pumping tribal rhythms. SHEPHERDS REIGN have effortlessly combined gargantuan modern metal riffs with technical and acrobatic dual melodies with an earthy rhythm section that pummels away underneath. Yet that is not all; the Auckland quintet also demonstrate their soulful and softer side, especially on the heart wrenching ballad Cold Summers Night and the heart-breaking Never Forgotten. The latter blends three languages – English, Tongan and Samoan – to tell the story of guitarist Leupolu’s son being forever in their hearts since his passing.
The album opens (and closes) with the spiritual singing of Samoa O La’u Fesili, before launching into the powerful and gut punching Aiga, which is a story about someone thinking they don’t need the love of their family but it turns out they do. Le Manu is a mighty war chant, packing plenty of tribal rhythms with the aggression of the Siva Tau. This is followed by Nafanua, a dark and brooding track about the feared by all goddess of war of the same name; it is a powerful anthem that conjures up vivid imagery of warriors and battles. Ua Masaa is one of the more frightening songs in terms of dominating riffs, its subject matter channels an intense anger as it talks about the murder of James’ sister by her husband. A symbolic look at former love and sinister people.
Title track Ala Mai is a rousing awakening of the ancestors to give the band guidance and blessings as they share their stories. Pummelling riffs and adrenaline-inducing rhythms make it feel like an anthemic ritual. This leads into The World Bleeds which showcases the band’s technical ability at their instruments which is contrasted by the ballad Cold Summers Night. Finally charts the story of finding someone who makes love worth it, while the aforementioned Never Forgotten is a powerful tribute to a lost child. It’s followed by Atali’i which is a tribute to the love the band have for their children no matter where they are – a rousing anthem of soaring choruses filled with love. Samoa Mo Samoa is an incredible story of sacrifice and triumph, how Samoa defied colonisation and remained proud in doing so. Heavy and bombastic, it is a final flourish to the album that sets SHEPHERDS REIGN on course to make a significant impact. Mo’omo’ogo Sa Molia brings us back to earth after a tumultuous rollercoaster of an album.
Whilst their Maori counterparts ALIEN WEAPONRY have lit the metal world on fire with the raw fury of the Haka and the Kiwi side of Polynesian culture, it feels like SHEPHERDS REIGN will help Polynesia dominate the global scene. Dynamic and emotive, there is something for everyone and it will be a challenge not to be moved in some way by Ala Mai.
Rating: 9/10
Ala Mai is set for release on August 25h via Golden Robot Records.
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