November 14th, 2021 - Feel The Beat From The Tangaroa

 

Ahiahi pai!  The Meista here today pairing the wonderful "Tangaroa", the 2nd album by kickass New Zealand metal band Alien Weaponry and a crisp, hoppy, and delicious Feel The Beat From The Tangerine India Pale Ale from Epic Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Alien Weaponry
• Title: "Tangaroa"
• Recorded: 2021
• Release date: September 17th, 2021 (2nd full-length studio album by Alien Weaponry)
• Record company: Napalm Records
• Production: Hammerhead and Alien Weaponry
• Album cover art: Barny Bewick at Indium Design (artwork) and Lewis de Jong (original concept drawings)
• Personnel: Henry de Jong (drums, pūtātara, backing vocals, and lead vocals on "Īhenga"), Lewis de Jong (guitars, kōauau, and lead and backing vocals), and Ethan Trembath (bass, backing vocals, and lead vocals on "Dad")
• Additional musicians: Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds (guitars and backing vocals) and Marcia Hopa, Kaea Hopa, and Waimahana Henare (kai waiata vocals on "Īhenga") 
• Musical style: Thrash metal with elements of groove metal, heavy metal, and Māori folk music
• Sound: With musical influence from bands like Sepultura and Soulfly, and from the Māori culture, Alien Weaponry's sound combines powerful groove metal with thrash and tribal intensity!  I really love this album... fist-pumping, head-banging metal goodness!
• Major themes: Māori culture, lore, and history, life and death, systemic racism, violence, oppression, human rights, pollution, climate change, rebellion, courage, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Titokowaru"
2. "Hatupatu"
3. "Ahi Kā"
4. "Tangaroa"
5. "Unforgiving"
6. "Blinded"
7. "Kai Whatu"
8. "Crooked Monsters"
9. "Buried Underground"
10. "Dad"
11. "Īhenga"
12. "Down The Rabbit Hole"
13. "Tangaroa" (radio edit)
14. "Buried Underground" (radio edit)
15. "Hatupatu" (radio edit)
16. "Titokowaru" (radio edit)
17. "Īhenga" (radio edit)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Epic Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: https://www.epicbrewing.com/
• Brew: Feel The Beat From The Tangerine India Pale Ale 
• Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV: 7.0% 
• Ingredients: Citra, Amarillo, and Centennial hops with Brewers Malt, White Wheat Malt, Munich Malt, Carapils, and Flaked Oats
• Pour: The Feel The Beat From The Tangerine pours a hazy golden orange hue with a egg shell white, billowy, 1+ finger head with good retention and soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by fruity, hoppy, and slightly sweet elements.  There are aromas of tangerine juice and zest, pink grapefruit, orange peel, apricot, peach, mango, lemon zest, and very soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste follows the nose with lots of citrusy, fruity, sweet, and lightly malty flavors.  There are notes of tangerine, grapefruit, orange tea, pineapple, mango, dried apricot, sweet biscuit, caramel, and a hint of pine as well.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with good carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Feel The Beat From The Tangerine is crisp and juicy with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The lyrical power, crunch of guitars, and thunder of the tribal rhythm section on "Tangaroa" is even more intense when accompanied by Epic's Feel The Beat From The Tangerine India Pale Ale!  Throw a few of these tasty brews back and rock the hell out!  'Nuff said!!    

Cheers, Kia Ora, and hails!!