Introducing: Haast Hunter

New Zealand band Haast Hunter pack a punch with filthy low-tuned guitars, heavy atmospheres and intense vocals in a sound they describe as “fearless, undefined and authentic.”

The band, from Hamilton, just south of Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island, was formed by vocalist and guitarist James Harper. Over the last couple of years, he’s been working with bassist Chris Gudsell and Mitch Walker to refine their sound, which will be transformed by the recent addition of second vocalist Sinea Elizabeth.

On the sound they’ve crafted, James told us: “Very much hard rock with a sprinkle of metalcore. The band has so many different influences across the board, and we all feel that pours into our sound.”

Our latest taste of this is their seventh single Then Why, which was released earlier this month and will be the final track as a trio before Sinea comes on board. It opens with a building electronic sound that drops into piercing sounds and heavy drum claps, before dropping into a driving riff. Chugging guitars come in to support James’ vocals through the verse, before heavier vocals lead us into a big chorus “Why don’t I feel like, I don’t see whats standing right in front of me, Why do you care, What do they want me to be, I am free.” Heavy guitars bridge into another verse and a big atmospheric chorus, which drops into wild instrumentals teeing up a final blast of the chorus.

On the track, James told us: “The support from locals and overseas has been amazing. It’s the end of an era for us as a three-piece, and the start of the next era for our album. It’s a good departure card and yet a great taste tester of what is to come.”

Then Why follows on from a solid back catalogue of singles released over the last couple of years. That includes the excellent Turf It, SPITE, which features a delicious heavy breakdown to bring the track to a conclusion, the feisty To Forget, and their more laid-back, proggy debut single Sunshine.

The Haast Hunter is influenced by a vast range of musical styles and artists and, as James tells us: “It’s just something to take my mind off the day-to-day normalities of life. Especially with the way this world is going, any chance I get for a cathartic release, I take.”

As mentioned, Then Why is the end of an era and the start of a new one for Haast Hunter. Sinae joined the band to work on their debut album, which is due for release next year with the band heading back into the studio before the end of the month. As James says: “We are real excited for you all to hear the dynamic range she has added to our sound. 2026 is going to be a busy, exciting year.

“A massive thanks for all the love from our old fans and a warm welcome to the new ones. With Spotify receiving over 100,000 songs per day, we feel blessed to everyone who has taken the time to listen to our music in such a saturated market. It means a lot. And if you are reading this and discovering us for the first time, please be sure to follow along and be part of the journey.”

You can follow Haast Hunter on Facebook, Instagram and Threads, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.