2nd February 2025

Review: “March Of The Eternal Heretic” by Sidewinder

Engineered and mastered by James Atkinson (Angel Witch, Carcass, Wytch Haze) and wrapped in artwork by drummer Gareth “Gaz” Hares, who doubles as a tattoo artist of repute, “March Of The Eternal Heretic” is the second record by crossover Thrash crew Sidewinder. Unless of course you count their eleven minute 2023 demo of course. Hailing from the wrong side of the tracks like the instigators of the Chernobyl disaster in some far fetched conspiracy theory, the Leeds quintet have made their name with a collection of rampaging cuts focused on themes of War, Anarchy and Destruction. Inspirations have come in the form of Exodus, Agnostic Front and Cro-Mags however the departure of original vocalist Lewis Gollick in 2023 left a void. Up stepped Damian “Damo” Hutchinson who surrounds himself with bassist Matt Finch, drummer Gareth “Gaz” Hares and axe wielding duo Joe “Ginner” Ward alongside Paul “Jonesy” Jones…

Hitting hard with a Slayer inspired Speed Thrash riff “Two Zero One” has broad crossover appeal with gang chants and flirtations with the whammy bar action. A high energy piece that screams for stage divers to join the quintet for a quick high five, it’s a horse kick to the chest of the naysayers that’s laced with intensity and aggression. Chris Barling of Inhuman Nature makes his presence felt on title track “March Of The Eternal Heretic“, a whirlwind of percussive battery and adrenalized Thrash riffs with a scream-a-long chorus. An old school call the circle pit, the blistering affair is both muscular and defiant in a way that combines the best of both Hardcore and Thrash Metal and is very much a genre tour de force. Flavours of Sick Of It All rise to the surface with “From Beneath They Shall Rise“, the rhythm section setting an electric pace. We finally get the whammy bar enhanced solo that the earlier cuts hinted at, this one screaming from the smouldering fretboard like a missile roaring out of its housing between two clanking bass bleed outs. Hutchinson then delivers some downright ugly death growls to in between lines of his usual bark that will shatter glass at thirty paces as the band take no prisoners, the knife rising in unflinching fashion. “Ashes Of Reality” brings up the rear sounding like an old school Exodus demo from 1982 that’s been given a serious make over. Another couple of flamboyant solo is an unexpected pleasure in a cut this harsh, the abrasive rhythms enhancing the barbed vocal threat with Hutchinson sounding like he’s bleeding out the eyes by the end. Non stop speed fuelled by a need for violent vengeance, this is a record that shoots first and asks questions later [8/10]

Track Listing