The mixing between Hardcore speed and adrenaline with Metal melodies and technique created both Thrash Metal and Crossover (depending on the point of view one takes). On UK, MOTÖRHEAD had fans from Punk Rock and Metal alike on its shows, opening ways for DISCHARGE, G.B.H., THE EXPLOITED and others have fans of Hardcore Metal, and ONSLAUGHT (that was born as a Hardcore act), SABBAT, XENTRIX and others have Punk Rock/Hardcore fans on their audiences. Then, to deal with a band as SIDEWINDER today is easier, and what great work their EP “March of the Eternal Heretic” is.

The band follows a path between Hardcore, Crossover and Thrash Metal, earning elements of these genres in equal proportions, because you’ll feel insane backing vocals in a Hardcore fashion, with killing Thrash Metal riffing and bone-crushing rhythmic work. The aggressiveness and energy that these guys unleash is something insane, and no one can stand stopped as their songs play. Be prepared, because they’re really great! James Atkinson (known for his works with ANGEL WITCH, MOLOCH, CARCASS and others) was hired to work on the sound engineering and mastering, so the smell of a ghetto is evident, but always with a clean and defined sonority, filled with aggressive instrumental tunes. And the artwork of the Gareth Hares fits on what the band expresses on its songs and lyrics.

“Two Zero One” is a Thrash Metal/Crossover holocaust based on insane guitar riffs and arrangements, with tempos usual for Crossover acts (and great Hardcore-like backing vocals), while “March of the Eternal Heretic” becomes a cause for endless moshpits and stagedives with excellent rhythmic contrasts (what means that bass guitar and drums are great here), and here you’ll hear the singer Chris Barling of INHUMAN NATURE as special guest. “From Beneath They Shall Rise” has a more hardcorized ambience, with faster tempos, great riffs and solos, and what insane screams and snarls of the vocals. And “Ashes of Eternity” comes closing the EP with a massive weight and Hardcore-like energy and intense blast beats. But after it, one can ask why such release is just and EP, and not a full-length.

Yes, “March of Eternal Heretic” deserved to be a full-length, so let’s hope that SIDEWINDER is coming with one as soon as possible! And it doesn’t matter if it’s Hardcore, Thrash Metal or Crossover, just listen to it or fuck off!