Shepherds Reign are a Polynesian metal band straight out of South Auckland. Unusual in itself and there’s simply no way you could tell this is their debut – so articulate and polished it sounds like any number of quality rock/metal bands doing the touring circuit in the USA.

Strong vocals and lyrics, slick riffs and tidy solos, a mix up of styles, they can sound like anyone – Korn, Metallica, Judas Priest… the list goes on! The four ‘brothers’ making hard-hitting music in style are Filivaa James (vocals and keyboards), Oliver Leopolu (guitar and production), Shaymen Rameka (drums) and guitarist Gideon Voon. They sound like they’ve been playing together for years and these eight fully realised tracks are basically a whole metal collection in one album!

Reign (with it’s proggy lead break); End Of The Trail (serious mosh material with a huge melodic breakdown); Concrete Walls (Queen-style intro, then all a bit Disturbed); Legend (a piano intro and then straight into Metallica territory); Take Me Back (mellow piano Metallica-ish ballad with a classical-style lead break and a bit more Queen); Death (Avenged Sevenfold); Angel In Black (more radio-friendly sounding, albeit with huge riffs); Why Can’t You Die (Korn-style goodness). There’s growly metal vocals along with “proper” singing, melodies, harmonies… there’s nothing missing here.

The drums are huge and most impressive. All of it is really – the standard is high. Coming from these shores this whole album is unprecedented. Extremely professional and worthy of an immediate follow-up. Wow!