Shepherds Reign
Shepherds Reign | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Genres | Heavy metal, hard rock |
| Years active | 2013 - present |
| Labels | Golden Robot Records |
| Members | Filiva'a James Oliver Leupolu Oliver Leupolu Joseph Oti-George Shaymen Rameka Gideon Voon |
Shepherds Reign are a New Zealand based heavy metal band. They recorded their album Ala Mai which was released in 2023.
Background
[edit]Two members of Shepherds Reign have a background in classical music. Lead singer Filiva’a James had begun classical music training, playing piano from the age of five. As a teenager, Oliver Leupolu had also learnt classical piano. Filiva’a James' interest in metal music goes back to when he at the age of five saw the Guns N’ Roses music video for the song "November Rain".
According to NZ Musician, the group started out a trio in 2013 which was made up of guitarist Oliver Leupolu, drummer Shaymen Rameka and keyboardist / vocalist Filiva’a James.[1]
According to 2023 interview with Far Out, the influences are Bach and Chopin for Fili James and Oliver Leupolu. The band also listens to French metal band, Gojira and in the early days they were listening to Avenged Sevenfold, Lamb of God, and Slipknot.[2]
Career
[edit]2010s
[edit]It was in 2018 that they released their self-titled album of eight songs. It contained the lead single "Concrete Walls".[3]
On 27 December 2019 their single "Le Manu" was released.[4] According to the review by The Big Idea, the track was possibly the first heavy metal song sung in Samoan language. It was also said to capture the bands raw energy.[5] According to Heavy Magazine, the song notched up over 2 million YouTube views.[6]
2020s
[edit]In 2023, the group played at the annual Teuila Festival in Samoa. Afterwards, they were invited to play at the Manumea Hotel. The event had a positive response and according to the group, people were open and curious.[7][8]
On 12 July 2024, the group played the midnight slot at the Riddu Riđđu festival in Norway.[9][10]
In 2024, their album Ala Mai was released. The heavy metal album featured songs sung in the Samoan language.[11] It won awards in the SunPix Best Pacific Language category[12] and the Best Pacific Music Album category.[13]
According to the 22 November 2024 publication of Metal Roos, Shepherds Reign are to be special guests on the 2025 Alien Weaponry tour beginning in March.[14]
Members
[edit]- Filiva'a James - lead vocals, keys
- Oliver Leupolu - guitar
- Joseph Oti-George - Bass
- Shaymen Rameka - drums
- Gideon Voon - guitar
References
[edit]- ^ NZ Musician, December/January 2024 - Shepherds Reign: Samoan Industrious Metal by Dean Blackwell
- ^ Far Out, Wed 12 June 2024 - Music >> Features, Shepherds Reign: The cult heroes of Polynesian heavy metal - Jordan Potter
- ^ Audio Culture, 24 Apr 2022 - Shepherds Reign - Gareth Shute
- ^ Band Camp - Le Manu By Shepherds Reign, released December 27, 2019
- ^ The Big Idea, 31 Dec 2019 - Polynesian Metal band, Shepherds Reign bring us their latest single 'Le Manu'.
- ^ Heavy Magazine - SHEPHERDS REIGN Release New Song ‘Le Manu’
- ^ DIY Conspiracy, Aug 1, 2024 - Shepherds Reign: The Reign of Pacific Metal in a Bleeding World By Gabriel Kuhn
- ^ Audio Culture, 24 Apr 2022 - Shepherds Reign - Gareth Shute
- ^ Riddu Riđđu Festival - Shepherds Reign Concert
- ^ DIY Conspiracy, Aug 1, 2024 - Shepherds Reign: The Reign of Pacific Metal in a Bleeding World By Gabriel Kuhn,
South Auckland metal band Shepherds Reign discuss their musical influences, Samoan heritage, and experiences performing in various places, including the indigenous Sámi Riddu Riđđu Festival in Norway. - ^ Heavy Magazine, 25 August 2023 - SHEPHERD’S REIGN: ‘Ala Mai’ Written by Erin Eddy
- ^ Under the Radar, Friday 30th August, 2024 - 2024
Pacific Music Awards Winners Announced, 2024 Pacific Music Awards Winners: SunPix Best Pacific Language Shepherds Reign - Ala Mai - ^ Under the Radar, Friday 30th August, 2024 - 2024 Pacific Music Awards Winners Announced
2024 Pacific Music Awards Winners: Recorded Music, Best Pacific Music Album Shepherds Reign - Ala Mai - ^ Metal Roos, 22 November 2024 - News, ALIEN WEAPONRY Announce New Zealand Tour March 2025 With Special Guests Shepherds Reign
- ^ ABC, 16 Jun 2023 - Singing in Samoan was a risk for metal band Shepherds Reign, but 'it just blew up' By Michael Chow, Jacob McQuire, and Dinah Lewis Boucher