29 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Shepherds Reign - Single Review: Legend

14 Aug 2019 // A review by Steve Shyu

Shepherds Reign originated in South Auckland, combining essences of classic and contemporary metal with Polynesian influences. Arguably the best-known Pasifika metal band on our side of the globe, this rising name has not stopped recording music and wowing audiences with live performances with their signature sound since starting in 2016. With the new addition of a fifth member to Shepherds Reign, it appears the group is just getting started on the road to domination with the release of their latest single Legend.

Where a modern heavy metal song would begin with a guitar riff or a drumbeat, Legend begins with a slightly quirky keyboard jingle laid over traditional pate drums before electric guitars, bass and conventional drums enter. This eyebrow-raising intro lets the listeners know they’re in for something different.

Make no mistake, this is still heavy metal; the grooving palm-muted guitars are energising, moving one into a fist-raising and headbanging bounce. The vocals are gruff but baritone and very bold, at once taking your attention with the line “Let me tell you ‘bout someone I know”. Armed with a well-thought out breakdown, consisting of chugging guitars, pumping bass drums and frantic harsh vocals, making for a nice climax to a great piece of Aotearoa alt-metal. 

Evidently, the lyrics are dedicated to someone who is deeply revered, a role-model who had great impact on the writer, which, thematically, is a perfect fit with the big, anthemic chorus, providing a personal side to the boisterousness, with a delicate touch applied courtesy of the keyboards.

Personally, I’ve always been a fan of heavy music crossed with styles not normally associated with metal; following in the footsteps of genre-hopping alternative groups like Australia’s Twelve Foot Ninja, injecting their native influences in the mix, makes for not only an invigorating listen, but adds a fresh edge to the New Zealand heavy metal scene.

The accompanying music video, courtesy of NZ on Air, features Aotearoa's boxing extraordinaire David Tua. The titular legend in the clip is embodied by Tua himself, acting as a spiritual guide to the young protagonist boxer. The addition of interspersed clips of different Pacific Island warriors' hints at the power of one's ancestry, and this is made all the more powerful during the climactic breakdown, as the main character faces off opponents in the ring. Not only does this assert the band's Pasifika roots, it makes good use of the tribal imagery in a creative manner. Top-notch stuff.

Furthermore, for those who enjoy the song Legend, be on the lookout for their emotive acoustic rendition of Legend, stripped down to just two guitars and two vocalists.


Don't forget to follow Shepherd's Reign on Facebook and stay tuned for their upcoming live shows!

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

About Shepherds Reign

Shepherds Reign bring their house to your ears, mind and heart. Their power and passion is unequivocal, their musical voices luminescent and majestic. They do not simply hit the stage to perform their songs. Their vocation is to present all aspects of their lives and culture, and there is a special passion and raw power in every word and note they seek to share with the world.

Hailing from South Auckland, New Zealand, and Polynesian by birth and blood, Filiva'a James (vocals/keytar), Gideon Voon (guitar), Oliver Leupolu (guitar/production), Shaymen Rameka (drums) and Joseph Oti-George (bass) are not messing around. Shepherds Reign is their life. Literally.

The band was co-founded by Filiva’a, Oliver and Shaymen. Filiva’a spent much of his childhood fighting on the streets of Mangere. He flipped that to become a correctional officer. Now he is chasing his dream of becoming a rock star. Says Fili, “As a baby, my parents and older siblings said I couldn’t sleep without music playing. Growing up with a big island family, everyone had their own taste in music. I grew to love them all. Bands like ABBA, UB40, Tiama'a, Jim Reeves, etc. My love for rock started when I first saw November Rain by Guns N' Roses at about 5 years old. Then I saw Slash with his guitar, and my mind was set”.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Shepherds Reign

Releases

Ala Mai
Year: 2023
Type: Album
Shepherds Reign
Year: 2018
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Steve Shyu

Gig Review: Homegrown 2024 @ Wellington Waterfront - 16/03/2024 Part 2
18 Mar 2024 // by Steve Shyu
With nothing of last night's rainstorm in sight except puddles in the asphalt, the sun warmed the air to counter the day's cold breeze. There was plenty of talk of a cold snap on the way, but I was confident my tee and hoodie combo would suffice.
Read More...
EP Review: PHNX
11 Mar 2024 // by Steve Shyu
Aotearoa, look out for a rising star on the horizon.Under his stage name PHNX, 18-year-old singer-songwriter and producer Phoenix Simpson has released his self-titled debut EP and it’s a gem.
Read More...
EP Review: Ben Ruegg
29 Feb 2024 // by Steve Shyu
Ben Ruegg is one of the most hard-working people I personally know. He's a Muzic.
Read More...
Bevan Mical - Album Review: Division & Difference
12 Dec 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Since 2017 Bevan Mical has been busy. Hailing from the small Waikato town of Turua, he’s now onto his fourth full-length album, this one entitled Division & Difference.
Read More...
Bulletbelt - Album Review: Burn It Up
28 Sep 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Though nobody can claim they know every Kiwi metal band to have ever existed, to know anything about heavy music in Aotearoa, the name Bulletbelt should at least ring a bell. To say their career thus far has been impressive is an understatement.
Read More...
Will McClean - Album Review: Don't Forget to Breathe
28 Jul 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Out of the underground hip-hop scene of Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington comes Will McClean, who over the past handful of years has garnered accolades on his recorded music and performances. Having shared stages with Kiwi icons Troy Kingi, Che Fu and Diggy Dupé, Will seems determined to keep the momentum and create new releases.
Read More...
Album Review: The Heroic Adventures of And$um & Lui Mill
21 Jul 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Following a string of acclaimed singles, Otautahi Christchurch Hip-Hop artists And$um and Lui Mills have released a brand new collaborative album of seven tracks named The Heroic Adventures of And$um & Lui Mill. The two rap artists have been kicking around the Christchurch Hip-Hop scenes for years, and have put together this LP as a result of their longtime friendship.
Read More...
GZ - EP Review: The Story Behind the Realness
16 Jul 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Purportedly an artist with many pseudonyms, GZ is a rap artist active as a part of the Auckland hip-hop diaspora. Though safe to assume he’s had a considerable presence over the years under multiple stage names, I wasn’t able to unearth much in the way of artist info relating to GZ, except images of the man himself looking like a force to be reckoned with.
Read More...
View All Articles By Steve Shyu

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem