Polynesian metallic power Shepherds Reign hail from South Auckland, New Zealand. United by an ironclad sense of ancestral pleasure, Shepherds Reign is an ode to fortitude, household, and survival. Alongside frontman and keytarist Filiva’a James, the band consists of fellow warriors Gideon Voon (guitar), Oliver Leupolu (guitar/manufacturing), Shaymen Rameka (drums) and Joseph Oti-George (bass). Shepherds Reign are simply days away from revealing their new album Ala Mai with Golden Robotic Data. Ala Mai is a muscular mix of catchy choruses, Gojiran heaviness, ’90s groove metallic, and Sepultura’s Roots file.

To have a good time the album’s impending launch, James joins us for a monitor by monitor exploration of the album’s themes. Starting from catharsis and private tragedy to cultural historical past and mythology, the lyrics are a supply of bittersweet reflection and constructive power.

Learn the band’s monitor by monitor ideas on this album beneath.

AIGA (FAMILY)
This tune relies on a conventional Samoan tune (heard within the intro). It’s about somebody who has discovered a lot that he/she thinks they don’t want the love of their household anymore. Desires a style of the world and ventures out falling into the numerous of our worldly temptations. Later figures out that the one happiness they may discover lies inside their roots. Their household. Our model is extra of a lecture to them to return house to their households the place they may discover true happiness.

LE MANU (THE BEAST)
A warfare chant about one in all Samoa’s most dominant warriors to ever stay, Manu Samoa. We then prolonged this warfare chant to be about us. As an alternative of heading out on our journey to warfare, we ask our ancestors and households for steering on our journey to [Shepherds Reign] turning into probably the most dominant metallic bands on this planet.

NAFANUA
A narrative about Nafanua, Samoa’s Goddess of Warfare. Nafanua, the daughter of Saveasi’uleo, the God of the underworld (Pulotu) was born of a blood clot and buried within the floor. This historical deity rose from the underworld and defeated all warriors who stood towards her to guard her household who suffered by the hands of a silly King. She was feared by all.

UA MASA’A (IT HAS SPILT)
This tune is about our lead singer’s sister who was murdered by her partner and his household. The tune is crammed with anger and voices what Filivaa feels his sister would have felt simply earlier than her dying. ‘Ua masa’a le ipu vai’ is translated to ‘The cup has spilt’. A symbolic take a look at the love as soon as shared, misplaced like water in a damaged cup.

ALA MAI (AWAKEN)
A name to our forefathers for power and steering not as Samoans however Polynesia solely, as we journey round to totally different international locations making our mark. The various obstacles that can stand earlier than us however we consider with the assistance of our ancestors our tales shall be heard. Peace shall be introduced onto the world. Particularly with how time has modified and the numerous difficulties we face all around the globe.

THE WORLD BLEEDS
This tune is concerning the struggling of our world in the present day. The various sins which might be being dedicated and the corrupt existence all over the world. That is our message to the world to get up and understand these arduous occasions and we should change for the higher.

COLD SUMMERS NIGHT
A ballad that paints an image concerning the realism of melancholy. A topic that we’ve gone by way of personally. The tune explains how one loses religion and the pure will to stay like they used to, however as a substitute crumbles and watches time go by in distress. Though, it does change within the final line. Exhibiting the world that there’s hope and you may overcome your issues.

FINALLY
A love tune. A tune about dropping hope that you’d ever discover your one real love, however then lastly discover somebody that makes you cheerful. Makes you are feeling like your persistence was value it. An individual who has simply come into your life and fully modified your perspective on actuality.

NEVER FORGOTTEN
A tender and really emotional tune made as homage for the son of our guitarist Oliver, who sadly handed away. Sung in Samoan, English and Tongan as illustration of his cultures. Tom won’t ever be forgotten.

ATALI’I (SON)
We wrote this tune to point out our love for our kids. Particularly after they aren’t round. This tune was made in hopes that they may perceive that regardless of the place we’re on this planet or the place they’ll find yourself sooner or later, we’ll all the time love and cherish them wholeheartedly.

SAMOA MO SAMOA (SAMOA FOR SAMOA)
A narrative about tragedy and triumph. Dying and victory. Worry and bravado. The most important international locations on this planet that attempted to rule over our little Pacific Nation, however we didn’t again down. We didn’t give in. We fought, we killed and we saved our lands. Lots of our males, girls and youngsters died defending our land. You’ll all be remembered. Samoa for Samoa.

Comply with the band for information and updates HERE

Order the album from Golden Robotic Data HERE