Stream here: https://stream.al/Toa
New Zealand rockers, Shepherds Reign, will release a new song titled “Toa”ahead of their departure on the Shiprocked cruise. This is the band’s first release since releasing the album Ala Mai. The song continues the band’s unique style which takes generations of Samoan culture and blends it with hard, heavy and yet melodic metal music, a match made in heaven. Although the lyrics are sung in Samoan, there is no escaping the raw emotion apparent in every word.
“To me, this song channels the energy of representing your people and aiga (family) when you go out into the world. Drawing on the spirit of your ancestors and remembering why and who you are fighting for. Your family and people.” Says Oliver Leupolu, guitarist of Shepherds Reign.
The song’s release on January 22 (that’s the date in New Zealand) comes just in time for the band’s first appearance in front of a largely US audience on Shiprocked. As if there weren’t a more perfect place to see a New Zealand metal band, singing in Samoan perform a ship in the middle of the ocean is about as good as it gets.
Filiva’a James, the vocalist for the band elaborated, “Toa is a song about power. The warrior spirit passed down from generation to generation. The will to be the best. The will to fight or my loved ones and survive in life. This is how my father lived life and how I now live mine.”
Shepherds Reign – TOA – Official Music Video
Known for their live performances in New Zealand, Shepherds Reign have performed as support for Disturbed in their hometown of Auckland, a set which included fire dancers, traditional percussion and even their Chief. They’ve also toured with fellow New Zealanders Alien Weaponry.
Shepherds Reign won two awards at the 2024 Pacific Music Awards – the SunPix Best Pacific Language Award and the Recorded Music NZ Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui A Kiwa o te Tau | Best Pacific Music Album Award (for Ala Mai). Shepherds Reign were also the winners of the inaugural Creative New Zealand Award at the PMAs in 2022.
Watch Shepherds Reign Live at the 2024 Pacific Music Awards:
Shepherds Reign Live at the 2024 Pacific Music Awards
About Shepherds Reign
Shepherds Reign Tribal. Supremely talented. Fiercely noble. Richly proud. Shepherds Reign are bringing their house to your ears, mind and heart, their power and passion unequivocal, their musical voices luminescent and majestic. You’d do well to start paying attention…
Hailing from South Auckland New Zealand, and thus Polynesian by birth and blood, Filiva’a James (vocals and keytar), Gideon Voon (guitar), Oliver Leupolu (guitar/production), Shaymen Rameka (drums) and Joseph Oti-George (bass) are not playing games. Shepherds Reign is life, Shepherds Reign is survival, Shepherds Reign is mental and physical health and Shepherds Reign is what they are on this planet to do. Shepherds Reigns’ voice is their mighty and fearsome music. Their vocation is to share with the world every aspect of their lives and culture, which they feel deserves the international ear. Whether unleashing the raw, guttural tribal roar of “Aiga” or the biker-rough riffery which is “End of The Trial”, there is a special passion and power in every single note Shepherds Reign share with the world, a rare presence which demands the world stage.
Shepherds Reign carry a motivation and execution which defies logic. Their videos have become a thing of independent heavy metal/hard rock legend, with narratives and production values which embarrass many an established international act, and in a Covid19 era, they have managed to amass 2 million+ YouTube views with the video for “Le Manu”, whilst “Aiga”, released on December 5th 2020, has already amassed over 150,000 views.
As for their live show, Shepherds Reign are famous in Australasia for their primal performance, one which evokes many aspects of their cultural heritage and fierce Polynesian pride. There’s the enormous intimidating presence of James, a towering hulk of humanity adorned with the shark tooth necklace (as are all the band members) who demands your full attention and gets it. Then there’s the gargantuan riffs and twisting dual melodies of Voon and Leupolu, whose virulent virtuosity is undeniable. Rounding out the sound is the crushing, bombastic Rameka/ George rhythm section, which gives Shepherds reign their propulsive, dynamic metal sound. Here’s the truth.
Shepherds Reign’s raw passion, determination and sheer goddamn talent brings them to major international stages worldwide. Theirs is an inevitable journey.
Follow Shepherds Reign:
