NZ Heavyweights SIDEWINDER Ignite a New Era With ‘FIRELIGHT’ | New Album Out in 2026

We’re thrilled to announce that ahead of the release of their new album Dominion in early 2026, New Zealand heavyweights Sidewinder return this month with ‘Firelight’, their most formidable, swagger-drenched, speaker-rattling statement to date.

Formed in Wellington in 2021, Sidewinder have carved a reputation for towering riffs, monolithic grooves, and a blues-drenched heaviness that has propelled them to the forefront of Aotearoa’s hard rock and stoner scene. Now, with ‘Firelight’, the band step boldly beyond their origins and herald the arrival of a darker, heavier, and more progressive sound.

Off the back of their 2022 debut Vines and thunderous sophomore album Talons, Sidewinder’s rise has been fuelled by explosive live shows and sold-out support slots with international titans including Orange Goblin and Sasquatch. Their seismic stage presence has proven repeatedly that the band’s live ferocity translates with equal force in the studio.

Produced by Tiny Triumph Records and mastered by Will Borza (Deftones, Smashing Pumpkins), Firelight captures Sidewinder at full power, blending bone-dry stoner-doom swagger and swamp-soaked sound that is unmistakably their own.

Their third album Dominion will also usher in a new era with vocalist Jem Tupe, whose commanding presence joins guitarists Ben Sargent and Thomas Rousell, bassist Si Randall, and drummer Grant Lister, elevating the band to a new creative peak. Critics worldwide have already praised Sidewinder’s crushing evolution, calling their sound unstoppable, monumental, unique, powerful, and a gripping reflection of their artistic intent."

Sidewinder stand ready to cement their status as one of the most electrifying heavy rock exports to emerge from New Zealand in recent years. Check out new single ‘Firelight’ here and keep your ears peeled for further developments.

Sidewinder Live:

5th December –Sanctuary Sounds Festival
6th December – Sidewinder Single Release Show

Artist: Sidewinder
Single: ‘Firelight’
Release Date: 05/12/2025
Formats: Digital

Sidewinder on Bandcamp | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Spotify

Thanks to Sheltered Life PR for the details.

Sidewinder - Sirens (Single Review)

Release date: April 2021. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Sirens – Tracklisting

Sirens

Review

Sirens is the 1st single from Wellington, New Zealand – Desert/Grunge/Stoner Rockers – Sidewinder – and it shows this band may have something to say when their debut album is released later this year.

The band state “Sidewinder is a new combination of experienced musicians playing a mash-up of desert rock with bluesy southern rock and a grungy aftertaste.”

Sirens has a deep SOUNDGARDEN and ALICE IN CHAINS influence with a dirty Grunge sound being the main thing that you can hear within the constraints of the song. The 3 minute plus song does see the band bring in elements of Stoner Rock and Desert Rock which makes for a more interesting approach to their overall sound.

The vocals are purely “Grunge” based but offer a very cool touch to the familiar style Desert and Stoner Rock grooves the band play on SIRENS.

Sirens is a very good song indeed and is LOUD and POWERFUL for the message of the song that Sidewinder are trying to aim for. Though, I do need to hear a lot more from the band but this is a promising from Sidewinder. 

I recommend you should check their Website out where you can get a free download of the song yourselves.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Official | Facebook