Supplied
Imperial Slave, from left, Anthony Hati, Achilles Manley, Sam Sheppard, Matt Wright and Isaac Lundy.
Metal fans can expect a little extra chaos and catharsis when Kiwi band Imperial Slave is finally unleashed on stage.
The Manawatū-based band’s national tour, which has twice been rescheduled, gets under way in Napier on Friday, before a homecoming show at The Stomach in Palmerston North on Saturday.
Singer and guitarist Sam Sheppard said they couldn’t wait to play live and loud again after a difficult start to 2023, with both drummer Matt Wright and guitarist Isaac Lundy suffering injuries.
“It’s been a nightmare.”
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They were originally meant to be touring in February but Wright suffered a hand injury playing football, which had taken some time to heal. A rescheduled tour for March also had to be scrapped.
Lundy was now battling a hand complaint, but Sheppard said they couldn’t rework the tour and all its logistics a third time, so Wright’s brother Brodie was coming in as a replacement and was furiously learning the band’s songs.
It’s been a frustrating flat patch for a band that enjoyed a massive break in 2022 when they filled a slot on a European tour supporting Fleshgod Apocalypse.
“It’s just the way it goes. But there has been a lot of stress,” Sheppard said.
The eight-date tour through May is punctuated by gigs in Wellington and Auckland supporting enduring Polish act Vader, who have been together for 40 years.
“They’re probably still not that well known here, which is weird – they are awesome.”
Sheppard said they were also excited to play at the inaugural Dunedin Deathfest on May 19, and to play in New Plymouth for the first time, at Eightball on May 13.
He had been warned off Taranaki, that it was a difficult region to make a dent in, but figured if no metal bands had been there for a while, there would likely be a demand for it.
“It sounded like a challenge we’re up for, and tickets there are selling well. I’m really looking forward to it.”
The tour setbacks have also affected the recording of the band’s second album.
Sheppard said the drum tracks were down, and guitars would be next. The album was likely to be released in October or November.
Tickets for Imperial Slave’s May tour are available from undertheradar.co.nz