Heavy Metal Ninjas, Cairo Knife Fight & Supervillains

The Powerstation proudly presents this triumvirate extraordinaire on Friday 25th May - the blistering metal onslaught of Heavy Metal Ninjas, the ferocious Cairo Knife Fight and the 'Howard Morrison Group on speed' hip-hop of masked crew Super Villians.

Heavy Metal Ninjas have been called 'seriously cosmic... vividly cinematic', and in the two short years since their formation the band have already gained a reputation as consummate showmen. Their epic instrumentals are accompanied by a jaw-dropping light show and yes, since you asked - all while dressed as ninjas.

Formed as an offshoot of Kora, their musical pedigree is untouchable. Their brand new self-titled EP has been highly praised for its '... brutal and beautiful precision' and If you have ever wondered what a 'stunt guitarist' does, now is your chance to find out.

Cairo Knife Fight have been described variously as 'unhinged, hallucinatory' and 'monumental' and indeed this Christchurch based duo's arresting sonic assault has led to high profile supports with the likes of Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age and Them Crooked Vultures.

Comprised of drummer Nick Gaffaney and guitarist-loop guru Aaron Tokona, the band have gained a reputation as one of NZ's foremost live acts. With an album and two acclaimed EPs under their belts, a slot at this year's SXSW and a forthcoming Australian tour, 2012 could be the year of CKF.

Super Villians are the new kids on this particular block, straight outta Western Springs College and are also, as their name suggests, quite partial to wearing masks.

A recent live show inspired the reviewer to remark upon the 'award winning 'fro' of rapper Sweaty Tooth Madman and at one point audience members were issued their own masks. But it's not all mask distribution and big hair - the band's Gravediggaz influenced sound is more trip-hop than hip-hop, and recent supports with Six60 have further increased their profile. Catch these boys before their voices break.