Somewhere between Leeds and the end of the universe there’s a gas masked warrior bedecked in spikes and bullets. Beneath a burning sky he’s facing down a legion of undead scum, skeletons infused with some kind of toxic nuclear power, armed with every damn thing they can find – from guns to sticks, barbed wire to billhooks – and for some reason they think they stand a chance. The warrior checks his double barrelled laser and death belching sidearms, adjusts the gas mask and pushes the wireless earphones deep into his ear canals. He checks the ancient, rusted music player that’s never let him down…hits play and starts killing. And to the sound of hardcore, thrash metal, speed and violence the undead start to die all over again…
Leeds based kings of crossover, Sidewinder, are back with a new four track EP that’s primed and ready to tear you limb from limb. ‘Only four songs’ you might be thinking…well, you won’t be thinking that when Sidewinder have finished with you! March Of The Eternal Heretic packs more aggression and intensity than most bands manage over the course of four albums. If it was any longer this thing would probably kill you… Opening with single, ‘Two Zero One’ you’re hit hard by Slayerized riffing that takes you back to when the skies rained blood and everyone lived south of heaven. Add to that the muscle and defiance of Agnostic Front and a dangerous, pit hungry attitude and you’ve got the perfect recipe for destruction. The title track comes next, featuring a guest appearance from Chris Barling of Inhuman Nature, all pummelling drums and guitar leads howling and diving, razor wire vocals and the adrenaline counter in the red zone. The breathless ‘From Beneath They Shall Rise’ follows, on your tail like a rabid dog before mixing in some mid-tempo punches and a cool clanking bass tone. Applying the final knockout blow ‘Ashes Of Eternity’ is the kind of song that makes everywhere a pit. This bruising, battling anthem is simply glorious in its blood-spitting rebellion and dissent. However, for all the sonic violence that seethes throughout March Of The Eternal Heretic, don’t go thinking these songs are just interchangeable bursts of angry noise. They are sweetly structured, individual, characterful tracks, purposeful and unflinching in delivery – they just all happen to hit like a ten ton truck with its pedal to the metal.
Engineered and mastered by James Atkinson (Angel Witch, Carcass, Wytch Hazel etc) March Of The Eternal Heretic sounds virulent and venomous, walking deftly along the edge of chaos – and the amazing artwork of renowned tattooist Gareth Hares, who also supplied the visuals for Sidewinder’s 2023 release War Tapes Vol. 1, perfectly completes this explosive package. Single ‘Two Zero One’ is out on January 31st and the full March Of The Eternal Heretic EP drops on February 7th. Be ready for this one, because Sidewinder are taking no prisoners!