Shepherds Reign Unleash Newest Offering ‘Toa’
New Zealand heavyweight rockers Shepherds Reign have today unleashed their newest offering, Toa, ahead of their departure on the Shiprocked cruise.
Marking their first release since releasing the powerful album Ala Mai in 2023, Toa continues the band’s unique style which fuses generations of Samoan culture and blends it with with hard‑hitting, melodic metal – making for a match made in heaven. Sung entirely in Samoan, there is no escaping the raw emotion apparent in every word.
Toa is released just in time for the band’s first appearance in front of a predominantly US audience on Shiprocked. There couldn’t be a more fitting stage: a New Zealand metal band, singing in Samoan, unleashing their sound from a ship in the middle of the ocean. It doesn’t get much better than that.
“Toa is a song about power. The warrior spirit passed down from generation to generation. The will to be the best. The will to fight for my loved ones and survive in life. This is how my father lived life and how I now live mine.” Says Filiva’a James, frontman of Shepherds Reign.
“To me, this song channels the energy of representing your people and aiga when you go out into the world, remembering why and who you are fighting for. Your family and people.” Says Oliver Leupolu, guitarist of Shepherds Reign.
