Northland metal band takes on big boys

Alien Weaponry's Lewis de Jong performs at Kerikeri's Turner Centre last month. PHOTO/PETER DE GRAAF

An up-and-coming Northland band is wowing radio audiences and playing three shows this week with Devilskin, a chart-topping metal band on a sell-out tour of New Zealand.

That would be a good start for any group - but what makes Alien Weaponry's success remarkable is that some of its members have yet to hit their teens.

The Waipu thrash metal band is made up of brothers Lewis (guitar and vocals, 12) and Henry de Jong (drummer, 14), with Ethan Trembath (12) on bass.

The brothers go to Bream Bay College while Ethan goes to Otamatea High.

The trio were invited to join the Devilskin tour after bass guitarist Paul Martin heard a demo of their single Cages.

Alien Weaponry are Ethan Trembath, 12 (left), Henry de Jong, 14, and Lewis de Jong, 12. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Martin has also been playing the song on the Axe Attack, a heavy metal radio show he hosts on The Rock every Sunday night. He said was "blown away" by the band.

"When I played the CD to others, they couldn't believe how young they are," Martin said.

Alien Weaponry will play support for Devilskin this Friday night at the Woolshed Tavern in Reporoa and on Saturday and Sunday at the Brewers Bar in Mount Maunganui. All three shows are sold out.

The trio has written enough songs for an album, which they plan to start recording soon, and are as ambitious as they are loud.

Drummer/spokesman Henry said the band aimed to play with the likes of Metallica, Lamb of God and Trivium at big European metal festivals within the next five years.

Since landing the Devilskin gigs, Alien Weaponry has been invited to play with Team Kill on their national tour in October and will support Kiwi metal giants Subtract later this year. They have also received offers from a promoter in Canada.

"We feel very privileged to be playing this weekend with the mighty Devilskin, and we're gearing up for a no holds barred, high-energy show," Henry said.

Alien Weaponry came second in this year's Northland regional final of the Smokefreerockquest.