Wellington experimental post-metal duo Into Orbit return to the stage in August 2017 for a one-off show at Caroline, joined by Hawkes Bay psychedelic trio THE MOA BELT and Wellingtons favorite pagan-folk-metal act HEX.
Into Orbit released their second album Unearthing in February 2017 to underground critical acclaim, and have been hard at work since, having recently completed pre-production for another full-length album and played support for Alcest and Pallbearer shows.
“Into Orbit’s instrumental songwriting savvy and meticulous musicianship is on display throughout Unearthing… A highly recommended listen for fans of challenging instrumental metal music.” - Dave Guzda (Echoes and Dust)
“Plenty of instrumental bands can construct complex musical suites. But it takes a greater level of songwriting acumen to make that music dramatic and soul-stirring like Into Orbit do.” - Craig Hayes (No Clean Singing)
“Into Orbit are one of the better examples of instrumental post-metal/rock out there at the moment, and Unearthing is a joy to experience.” - (Wonderbox Metal)
HEX
HEX is the progeny of wives Kiki and GG Van Newtown, a musical love affair who draw on influences spanning classical to folk to punk to metal. They align quick, incisive lyrics and rock opera levels of riffage to reflect the chaos approaching post-capitalism with fury and laughter. HEX is joined by Jason Erskine whose heavy drumming merges with his sonic arts background to lay the perfect foundation for their intricate guitar riffs and dual vocals.
Since late 2015 HEX have performed regularly throughout New Zealand, and have played support for Dinosaur Jr., Acid King and The Kills. For the last year HEX have torn up dance floors with their sharp anthemic performances around Aotearoa, unleashing their engaging and fierce act at A Low Hum, The Others Way, Newtown Festival and Cuba Dupa. HEX's live show has been described as a raw, unapologetic act that encompasses a mixture of folk, punk, metal and prog rock (noisey.vice.com), with the music moving methodically between harmony and discord.
HEX's debut EP Calling to the Universe (May 2016 - Southbound Records) received massive support from bNet stations, with four of the five tracks entering the 95bfm top ten. Their first full length album is due for release in early 2018.
THE MOA BELT
Amongst the music cultures of the world, The Moa Belt trio from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, find themselves naturally expressing the eternal translations of music. One can easily hear there is something else being revealed when these three musicians are together. With Damian Dodunski on drums, William Devine on bass, and Kurt Yates on guitar, there are no intellectual abstractions presented, only the purity of music and their love for its distinguished honesty. Reciting tones and rhythms from places one must travel great distances to hear, The Moa Belt emphasise specific melodic contours into a personal interpretation the listener can share and feel within.
