Hailing from New Zealand, five-piece metal outfit Shepherds Reign are fiercely proud of their Polynesian background: made instantly apparent during the short opening prologue Samoa O La'u Fesili. While based in South Auckland, the band come from a range of ethnic backgrounds: Samoan, Maori, Chinese, Thai and European. Their self-titled debut album set out their sound and was well received. However, Ala Mai (in English – Awaken) has taken their music to an altogether new level and the band have clearly spent the last few years (the first song from this album was released in 2019) honing their songwriting skills and the result is a unique and compelling album.
While Ala Mai is without doubt a metal album at heart, Shepherd Reign’s sound encompasses a range of sub-genres within this wider definition. Aiga (Family) (released over two years ago) displays the bands power, which is passionate but controlled. Immediately following and lyrically linking to traditional Samoan song Samoa O La'u Fesili, Aiga tells the story of someone who feels that such has become their knowledge that the love of their family is no longer a requirement. Shepherds Reign say the song is a lecture to those who, “want a taste of the world and venture out, falling into the many of our worldly temptations. They later figure out that the only happiness they will find lies within their roots. Their family.” This theme of the inner battle for happiness throughout life is one that recurs throughout the album in various forms both tangible and transcendental. Musically and lyrically, Aiga is a formidable opening statement.
Shepherd’s Reign are certainly not shy about their own performances and how they see themselves as a unit. Le Manu (The Beast) refers to Manu Samoa (one of Samoa’s greatest warriors) - Mua’au le Atua manuia ou faiva / O ou fili uma e te lepetiaina (May God bless your ministry / All your enemies you destroy). Extending and adapting the war chant, Shepherds Reign ask their ancestors and families for guidance on their journey to become a world-dominating band. Gideon Voon’s and Oliver Leupolu’s chugging guitar riffs drive the track; however, there is plenty of melody within the chorus to keep the track interesting and appealing. For any metal fan, particularly those interested in bands who incorporate their heritage within their sound (Sepultura’s Roots is a fine comparison), tracks such as Le Manu (which has amassed more than 3 million views on YouTube) and Nafuana (a story about Samoa’s Goddess of War and one of the heaviest tracks on the album - Shaymen Rameka'a drumming is bombastically intense) will be truly enticing.
While there is much admire in the songs which wear their Polynesian influences with pride, title track Ala Mai takes the band into grand and at times, symphonic territories. Shepherds Reign are convincing not only due to their power but because they are truly excellent musicians. Embellishing their sounds with pātē (log drums) allows them to create a distinctive atmosphere within the heavier tracks. Filivaa James is not only an imposing figure physically but as a vocalist handles everything this album has to offer from the pounding metallic songs such as Atali’i (Son) (in which bassist Joseph Oti-George also shines and songs such as Halo by Machine Head come to mind) to the tender, heartfelt delivery of Cold Summers Night, a narrative ballad that describes the realism of depression – a state that the band themselves have experienced due to personal loss.
That personal loss is addressed head on in two songs that must have been incredibly difficult to write. At ten and a half minutes long, Ua Masa’a (It Has Spilt) acts as a centrepiece for the album and uncompromisingly tackles the subject of the murder of Filivaa James’s sister by her spouse and family. Enraged music and vocals fill the track with voices echoing what Filivaa feels his sister would have felt just before her death. “Ua masa’a le ipu vai’ is translated to ‘The cup has spilt’. A symbolic look at the love once shared, lost like water in a broken cup.” It is a sprawling, angst filled helter-skelter of emotion.
Never Forgotten, sung in Samoan, English and Tongan, is a tribute to the son of Oliver Leupolu who tragically passed away. You always walk beside me in my dreams / It burdens me to wake up from my sleep / I will never forget you / You'll always have a place inside my heart / Your memories will guide me in the dark / You are never forgotten. While completely different in style (building to a heart-breaking crescendo via an incredible guitar solo and tumbling piano) Never Forgotten is, in many ways, a sister song to Ua Masa’a each drawing attention to different versions of grief – anger for a life taken so violently and sorrow for a life taken so young.
Two other English language songs feature on the album. Finally (albeit heavyweight and dynamic is about losing hope that you would ever find your one true love but then ultimately doing so) and The World Bleeds (the band’s message to the world on corrupt lifestyles around the world) further highlight the band’s lyrical range and their willingness to experiment.
It would be easy to assume that the range of the tracks (the album closes with another traditional Samoan composition) on Ala Mai could lead to a confused and incoherent album but the flow between the songs never feels as if it is about to derail. Well structured, multi-textured and performed with virulent virtuosity, Ala Mai should be on many a metal fans list to explore. Fai se laa i se lalolagi lautele….
Ala Mai is released on 26th August 2023. You can visit the band's website here: https://shepherdsreign.com/
Written: 24th June 2023
Watch the video for Le Manu and the lyric video for Finally below...
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