Before I caught this doco, I knew absolutely nothing about the cultural world of metal in New Zealand or the band Alien Weaponry. While hard out metal isn’t my ‘jam’, I am always intrigued with not just the artistry but where it came from through the heart, mind, and soul of the artist themselves. While it’s more of a fly on the wall doco than one that delves deep into the soul of its subject, Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara transports viewers into the world of metal in Aotearoa and the young men at the very heart of it. 

 

Alien Weaponry are rewriting what it means to be metal, with te reo Māori anthems channeling the power and pride of their culture. This feature-length documentary chronicles the band’s meteoric rise, following brothers Henry and Lewis de Jong from their first jams together as kids to headlining international stages. But this isn’t just music for the brothers—it’s a call to honor their tūpuna, confront colonisation and fiercely champion te reo. Filmed over six years, director Kent Belcher’s debut feature captures raw moments with these young metalheads and their dedication to music, family, and culture. 

 

As an outsider to this world what is incredibly striking from the outset is not only the level of artistry that these young men bring to their craft, but an overwhelming purpose as well. One of the stereotypes that lurks around child prodigies is pushy parents, but in the sit down interviews and the observational parts of this doco it is clear that it is the overwhelming vision of these young men that drives them to do what they do. 

 

The style of this documentary is that it is more a fly on the wall in its narrative structure and drive which can, at times, lead to a sense that there isn’t a concisely structured narrative or themes behind the storytelling which I found impacted my focus somewhat.  We see glimpses around why and how their culture influences their art but it could have carried some more weight if this was part of the narrative drive. 

 

All in all, Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara is both an informative and thoroughly entertaining doco for old, new, and not really metalheads at all. 

 

While it’s more of a fly on the wall doco than one that delves deep into the soul of its subject, Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara transports viewers into the world of metal in Aotearoa and the young men at the very heart of it.