Hamilton will host an unusual collaboration with Alien Weaponry and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
The partnership will perform two concerts, one in Hamilton and the other in Christchurch during May.
Alien Weaponry, who hail from Northland’s Waipu, are seen as one of the most exciting young metal bands in the world.
The partnership will be Alien Weaponrys first with an orchestra, and the first collaboration with a metal band in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestras 75-year history.
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Alien Weaponry released their debut album T in 2018 and since then have opened for the likes of metal heavyweights Slayer, Anthrax, Ministry, Black Label Society and Prophets of Rage.
The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Lewis de Jong, drummer Henry de Jong and bass player Tranga Morgan-Jones deliver many of their songs in te reo Mori.
Ive always loved the idea of incorporating orchestral music with contemporary music, and when I heard that the NZSO wanted to collaborate with us, I was really excited, Lewis said.
I think there is going to be a very interesting mix of people who come to the show, mixing the metalheads with the classical music fans.
One thing for sure, the mosh pits will be insane.
Morgan-Jones who trained as a classical pianist when he was a child, has always wanted to play in the true orchestra experience.
And now to be able to be a part of something involving the talented team of the NZSO, I am super excited, and Im so glad I get to join it with our passion for heavy metal too!
NZSO Chief Executive Peter Biggs said audiences will be blown away.
Classical and metal share much of the same DNA. Many of metal and hard rocks biggest names, including Eddie Van Halen, loved and took inspiration from classical composers and performers.
Metallicas live album S&M with the San Francisco Symphony sold in the millions.
While weve collaborated with some of Aotearoa New Zealands best-known bands and artists, for us to finally play with a metal band of Alien Weaponrys calibre will be one of the highlights of 2021.
In 2019, Alien Weaponry beat the likes of Metallica to take the top spot in a Finnish music magazines poll for best metal album of the decade.
They play in Hamilton on May 22 at Claudelands Arena, and Christchurch on May 29 at Christchurch Town Hall Auditorium.
Tickets for Stronger Together go on sale from 10am, Thursday at ticketek.co.nz
The Kiwi metal band is partnering with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for two concerts in May.
