EP REVIEW: Sidewinder - March of the Eternal Heretic


Let’s get straight to it. This is crossover thrash done with as little fuss as possible. A blasting four songs that bludgeon and smash the skull. There’s nothing remotely new about this but to be honest, this is genre where originality is not the key issue. It’s driving power, aggression and energy, and Leeds outfit Sidewinder bring it in spades. 

Four tracks from a band only just over a year into their journey, and they have smashed it with four slabs of bruising crossover. It’s fast, frenetic, and oh so punishing. From opener Two Zero One which hits like a hammer, the addictive groove of the title track, or the ferocity of From Beneath They Shall Rise, it’s addictive stuff. 

There’s a decent bit of dive-bombing guitar work, whilst the engine room is tight and focused. It also has a decent production which ensures that things are clear in the ears. Yes, the raw energy is here, but ain’t nothing wrong with a crispy bit of clarity. 

Vocalist Damo sits in the right ballpark, barking his lyrics as one would anticipate, but he’s got a bit of control that steers his words through the waterfall of riffs. There are some nice slower chugging parts, a bit of death growling and some simple yet efficient thrash tropes. It’s enough to get this grumpy old 55-year-old nodding his table and contemplating a return to the pit, such is the infectious nature of these tracks. [it won’t happen – my knees are shot!] Finishing with a flourish, the huge stomp of Ashes of Reality is another blistering burst that hits every mark. 

Sometimes you really don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Give Sidewinder a listen. It’s another band that are now on the radar for the future.

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