Tattoo Talk: Alien Weaponry Bassist Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds Tells Us About Moko

As a band, Alien Weaponry stand out for so many reasons, but one of the most important might be their ability to mix their massive sound with an ability to say something valuable. They’ve done it again with the release of their new album Te Rā. Released last week via Napalm Records, the band continues to expand on their core message of cultural, societal, and environmental resilience. Vocally, they cleverly blend their message between English and te reo Māori, the indigenous language of their homeland of New Zealand. Lead singer and guitarist Lewis Raharuhi de Jong’s lyrics emphasize the impact of culture colliding with day-to-day disenfranchisement. Within their culture and history, the songs on Te Rā hit on topical issues like the potential for large-scale war, the damaging effects of social media, and the daily struggle that so many experience.

Combining culturally profound lyrics with their powerful sound has been the defining characteristic of Alien Weaponry since the release of their highly regarded 2018 debut Tū. This is perhaps the band’s heaviest release and reflective of the current day’s intense disdain and aggression. It is not only the band’s heaviest work, but it is also their most focused work. The real cherry on top of all of this is that the album features a guest vocal appearance from metal legend Randy Blythe of Lamb of God. If you aren’t already an Alien Weaponry believer, you will be after you get done with Te Rā.

We are pleased to be joined today by Alien Weaponry bassist Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds for Tattoo Talk. We discuss his introduction to tattoos, his favourite one, and he educates us in the cultural importance of Tā moko.

What was the first tattoo you ever got?

Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds: “The first Moko (traditional Māori tattoo) I received was the ‘Niho Taniwha’ pattern on the inside of my forearm. It is a pyramid of triangles that is inspired by traditional Māori weaving patterns known as ‘tāniko,’ and the design represents the teeth of the Taniwha, a Māori monster/guardian.”

Do you have an art background or professional training in tattooing?

“Before I was in Alien Weaponry I actually juggled with the idea of becoming a ‘Kaitā’ or Moko artist because I always had a passion for the art form but I never really felt confident enough in my skills to handle the pressure of permanently marking somebody else’s body so I decided to work on covering myself instead (laughs).”

When did you know you wanted to get tattooed?

“Moko is a significant part of Māori culture and tradition, and for as long as I can remember, I wanted to go through the process of adorning my body with Moko once I came of age. So as soon as I turned 18, I started this journey, and I’ve still got a long way to go!”

What’s the most painful piece you’ve ever received?

“A lot of people assume my face must’ve hurt a lot, but because of the ritual surrounding the tradition, I was almost in a meditative state during that entire session. My hands on the other hand (no pun intended) hurt like hell and I’m glad I’ll never have to do that again.”

Is there a tattoo you’ve received recently that is a personal favourite?

“My Moko mataora (traditional men’s facial marking) will always be my personal favourite and the most significant piece I’ve ever received. Considering the sacred significance that our facial markings carry specifically, I don’t think that will ever change as I continue to cover my body in Moko throughout my life.”

Alien Weaponry ‘Te Rā’ album artwork

Who are some of your favourite artists?

“I would have to shout out the Kaitā who have done all my Moko so far: Lance Ngata, Te Haunui Tuna, Tristan Marler, and Aaron Luckman.”

What’s the longest session you’ve ever had?

“So far, it was my face, which took eight hours because I bled a lot, so the artist had to keep going over the lines because all the blood was pushing the ink back out! Sounds worse than it was (laughs), but there is a Moko style I plan to get called ‘pūhoro’ that covers both thighs, your bum and lower back, and that can take a minimum of five days to complete depending on your size.”

Do any of your tattoos have a particularly special meaning behind them? If so, do share, man!

“So, for those that don’t know what Moko is or represents, it is a thousand-year-old tradition that’s unique and very sacred to Māori people. It represents a person and their lineage/achievements, and each one is uniquely designed for each individual person, so no Moko is the same!”

Do you have any new tattoos planned or underway?

“My Moko Mataora currently only covers my face from my nose down, but once it’s complete, it should cover my entire face, so I do plan on completing that at some point. When? That is dictated by the events/achievements in my life. So it could happen tomorrow or in 20 years, who knows!”

Have any tattoos that were painful? Like, made you cry, see white light, regret being born?

“Not sure if this counts because it wasn’t from the pain, but I’ve mentioned the significance of our facial markings already, and when that session had finished, and I looked in the mirror for the first time, I completely broke down. It’s hard to explain the emotion that comes over you in that moment, feeling like you’re looking at a version of yourself that’s been hidden beneath your skin your entire life. I cried like a baby! It didn’t help that my family were all there with me crying too!”

Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds, photo by Tiaho

When do you get work done? Is it something planned and more regimented, or whenever the mood strikes?

“For me personally, I have chosen to only cover myself in Moko. This isn’t a hard cultural rule; however, a lot of Māori people these days mix moko with other non-Māori styles of tattoos, it’s just personal preference for me. When it comes to planning, I have a clear-cut plan on what areas of my body I want covered in Moko. The designs are completely done by the Kaitā on the day, so I don’t know what it’s going to look like until it’s finished. That can sound a bit strange to people, but the best way to explain it is: if you’re only getting Moko because of the way it looks, you’re getting it for the wrong reasons. Each symbol and line represents something, so it’s all about what story you want to be told on your skin.”

Getting a tattoo is a deeply personal experience. Do you feel people choose a tattoo artist in the same way they choose the actual tattoo design?

“In the context of Moko, it can’t just be given to you by any tattoo artist. Kaitā are people who have been taught hundreds of years’ worth of knowledge. Maybe it’s even been passed down directly through their family if they have a lineage of Kaitā, so as a recipient of Moko, it’s very, very important who you choose to conduct such a sacred ritual! You have to not only like their style but potentially feel a deeper connection to them than you might for a ‘normal’ tattoo artist.”