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.

KAVEMAN - Giants (EP Review)

Release Date: December 05th 2025. Record Label: Marathon Recordings. Formats: DD

Giants - Tracklisting

The Giant Magog (5:15)

The Giant Gog (8:25)

Lineup

Alfath Arya Nugraha - Guitar

Fikri Izza - Bass/Vocals

Review

 Psych/Doom/Stoner Metallers KAVEMAN are a duo based between South Tangerang, Indonesia and New York who are releasing their new EP - Giants. The EP is a great mix of modern day Heavy Psych merged with Doomed Out Stoner Metal passages with the band showing a slightly flamboyant style with influences from the likes of MASTODON, MELVINS and HIGH ON FIRE. The music can be slightly experimental but never boring with the overlapping Psychedelic sounds and classic Stoner Metal with a certain Progressive energy to it all. The two tracks of The Giant Magog and The Giant Cog are superbly played which has some blissful Post-Rock moments set against the turbo-charged music. Sometimes things can be quite JAZZ based that appear within the opening track. This does slow down the chaotic and fast-paced energy that KAVEMAN first opened the EP with but it’s good to see a more progressive and technical sound appear from behind the scenes. KAVEMAN is full-on Sludge/Stoner Metal aggression with little flashes of Sonic Exp

erimentation which is perhaps the standout track on the EP with the band aiming for a heavier, aggressive and intense delivery. The song is more riff-centric but KAVEMAN provide excellent vocals that leans heavily into the Stoner Metal underground scene with flashes of Prog Rock and Jazz interludes appearing once more. There’s also a tribal aspect to KAVEMAN’s aspect where I hoped they explored further but perhaps on future releases such as a longer EP or full length record so they can build a grander cinematic vision for their music. Giants is a stunning EP for KAVEMAN to make themselves known further within the underground scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Official| BandCamp | Instagram

NON - Vipassana (Album Review

Release Date: December 04th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Vipassana - Tracklisting 1.Valley of the Moon 08:20 2.Turiya 04:16 3.Ayutthaya 06:39 4.Vipassana 06:03 5.Saqqara 05:22 6.Büyük Çarşı 07:44 Lineup Dom Bunnag - Guitar Matthew Stillone - Bass Nick Radcliffe - Percussion Review Vipassana is the debut album from Instrumental Doom/Stoner Metallers NON who are made up of members from Aussie Heavy Hitters - Lamassu, Motherslug, and Isua. NON are a different entity to these bands with the music being more tribal, psychedelic and adding cinematic landscapes into the mix. The music can be quite cerebral with a haunting Desert Rock and Post-Rock being delivered throughout the album. You can hear influences from the likes of YOB, Yawning Man, Earthless, OM and SLEEP. NON’s music is best described as Meditative Doom which transforms into a heavier style of Progressive Stoner Metal that you can hear within the excellent and haunting opening track Valley To The Moon. The track sees NON containing a heavier distorted sludgy dynamic with creepy soundbytes adding an Occult flavour to the mix.

This is a great sound for NON to develop for the other tracks on the album, especially on tracks such as Turiya, Ayutthaya, Vipassana and Büyük Çarşı. The album sees NON always constantly moving their music into other areas of WORLD MUSIC with certain trippy Middle Eastern elements appearing. Another major highlight for the album is how each track sounds quite different to each other but contain similar themes and melodies which explore the more spiritual and darker side of Instrumental Doom/Stoner Metal. The songs also have an EERIE quality to them which allows the DOOM & GLOOM aspect of their music to fully branch out into heavier areas of music that gives Vipassana a grounded quality.

The use of different soundbytes from classic movies is another great touch with NON playing their music around a certain theme from the movie where the actual soundclip is taken from. Things become quite progressive on the later stages with NON becoming more experimental but you can’t deny how good everything is delivered especially with the excellent music that Dom, Matthew and Nick play throughout the whole album. Vipassana is a highly unusual album but it’s one that offers a different style of Instrumental Rock/Metal that should gather a LOYAL and CULT following from the underground scene. Excellent and Highly Recommended. Words by Steve Howe

Links

Bandcamp: https://nonriffs.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/non.riffs/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonriffs
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NONriffs
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Vk5NRKp9RaQWEFbokV3L3?si=n7HJOEskRG-L25KXiVz2aw
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nonriffs 

TROY THE BAND Share ‘NOTHING’ – A Frenzied, Genre-Warping Descent Ahead of the Release of Sophomore Album

London-based noise experimentalists Troy The Band return this week with their blistering new single ‘Nothing’, the second track to be revealed from their anticipated sophomore album (des), due for release in 2026.

“This was a fun one,” explains bassist Sean Durbin. “The track itself is weird. It opens with blast beats, then drops into a noise-rock influenced verse that would feel right at home recorded at Electrical Audio. Just as you settle in, it drags you somewhere completely different again for the chorus with these doomy, dissonant riffs. Jake’s vocals took the track to a whole new level.”

The “Jake” in question is none other than Jake Packham of Eastbourne Sludge outfit Black Groove, and Brighton's Outback who provides a ferocious performance that twists through asymmetric tension and release. Culminating in doomy, dissonant riffs and bleak vocal interplay with Durbin, ‘Nothing’ is a chaotic and exhilarating demolition through the band’s heavy wall of sound, exploding with annihilating black-metal beats and raw and jagged noise-rock.

Following the release of last year’s acclaimed debut album Cataclysm, and like last month’s ‘Porous’, ‘Nothing’ signals a bold creative shift. After parting ways with their original vocalist shortly after entering the studio, the band re-imagined (des) as a collaborative project celebrating London’s vibrant underground heavy-music community. The album features contributions from members of Elephant Tree, Believe in Nothing, Black Groove, Codex Serafini, Black Orchids, and others.

Recorded at Bear Bites Horse Studio in Haggerston with producer Wayne Adams (Gum Takes Tooth, Petbrick, Terminal Cheesecake), the new material showcases the band’s ever-expanding sonic palette. The sessions also cemented long-time live drummer Jack Revans as a permanent member, reinforcing the band’s evolution while maintaining the distinct identity forged on Cataclysm.

With plans to release one track per month leading up to a full physical edition in 2026, Troy The Band are gearing up for their most ambitious year yet. For now, listeners can stream and share ‘Nothing’ (featuring Jake Packham) here.

Troy the Band:

Sean Durbin – Bass
Sean Burn – Guitar
Jack Revans – Drums

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Sheltered Life PR for the details.

Rattlesnake Venom Trip - Ablaze Set I (Single Review)

Release Date: December 05th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Ablaze Set I - Tracklisting

Ablaze Set I

Lineup

Evan Davell – Guitar

Shane Shook – Drums

Matt Tackett – Bass

Kevin Schindel – Vocals and Guitar

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers Rattlesnake Venom Trip return with another blazing song Ablaze Set I from their forthcoming new EP Eclipse The Sun. This time round the band harnesses the power of classic Grunge melodies set against a backdrop of Psych, Groove, Sludge and Thrash surroundings. There’s subtle influences from the likes of Soundgarden, Melvins, Metallica and Alice In Chains running around the creative asylum here. The song is quite aggressive with plenty of moments of up-tempo Psych Doom/Stoner energy with lead vocalist Kevin Schinedel’s vocals being delivered with demented relish.

The song is way more riff-centric than their previous track Hollowed Eyes released back on Halloween 2025. Rattlesnake Venom Trip perhaps play a THRASH and GROOVE oriented sound which allows their technical and musical ability to fully shine through with epic instrumental solos being performed superbly well by everyone. 

Ablaze Set I is another stunning track with Rattlesnake Venom Trip perhaps showcasing perhaps the standout track from the forthcoming EP.  The production values are pretty great as well with the band showcasing a winning style of music that perfectly captures the Nineties Metal Scene that has a thrilling modern day atmosphere holding everything together. Lets hope the rest of the EP allows Rattlesnake Venom Trip to keep up the great momentum they’ve delivered so far.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Palm Desert - Rays Of The Gold And Grays (Album Review)

Release Date: December 05th 2025. Record Label: Electric Witch Mountain Recordings. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Rays Of The Gold And Grays - Tracklisting

In The Breeze

Black Hurricane

Blue Of The Sky

Lightriders

At The Edge Of Time

Rays Of The Gold And Grays

Son Of A Wind And Dust

My Eyes

Lineup

Piotr Łacny – Guitars Wojciech Gałuszka – Vocals Jan Rutka – Bass Kamil Ziółkowski – Drums Wojciech Kuczwalski – Guitar

Review

Psych/Desert/Stoner Rockers Palm Desert return with their first album since 2014 with the original line-up that features two members from the mighty SPACESLUG in their ranks. Rays Of The Gold And Grays navigates itself through waves of classic Stoner Rock/Metal and intense melodic passages of Psych Rock and Desert Rock landscapes. With creative cues from the likes of KYUSS, FU MANCHU, Brant Bjork Truckfighters and Yawning Man appearing in certain aspects of the record, Palm Desert stand on their own merits with a gritty sound developing from the very start with a gloomy Grunge vibe appearing.

Palm Desert conjure up areas of Space Rock and areas of Sludge Rock movements which is built fully around lead vocalist Wojciech Galuszka’s sublime vocals which taps right into the most perfect parts of the iconic Californian Desert/Stoner Rock scene with that the melodic gritty attitude of the Polish underground scene. This record is about as perfect as you can possibly get from Palm Desert as they expertly deliver all the things you expect from a classic COMEBACK record such as this.

They always allow themselves the perfect opportunity to try new things like SONIC MANIPULATION into the world of Cosmic surroundings that the likes of LOWRIDER and DOMKRAFT have used quite extensively within their music. The lyrics offer a DOOMED OUT aspect which is another hidden surprise as Palm Desert have written lyrics that have a more deceptive energy behind them. The music becomes quite trippy and grunge centric within the early sections of the album with opening tracks In The Breeze, Black Hurricane and Blue Of The Sky capturing a heavier and slightly distorted FUZZ atmosphere that allows the music to be played at a deliriously fast pace. 

Wojciech Gałuszka’s vocals fuse classic Grunge moments that have a slight Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell vibe behind them and it’s the most perfect style when matched against the blazing grooves that Palm Desert have laid down throughout the album. There are some progressive and post-whatever moments appearing within the fourth track Lightriders which is perhaps my favourite track on the album. 

As it’s beautifully understated with an aggressive and distorted melody holding everything together. The whole song becomes more emotional when the heavier Sludgy dynamics appear to lead the song into a heavier and unexpected direction. This is perhaps Palm Desert at their most emotionally engaging, laying everything on the line with music that does have some small resemblance to the mighty SPACESLUG.

Palm Desert continues with that style of music for the remainder of the album which offers a dynamic presence on other tracks such as At The Edge Of Time, Rays Of Gold And Gray and In My Eyes with the band exploring new creative and sonic grounds to impress and inspire listeners with. The record offers a high amount of first rate soundscapes that’s always beautifully delivered with Palm Desert fully explaining their true importance to the Polish Desert/Stoner Rock underground scene.

It may have taken them over a decade to release a new album but what a fucking huge sounding album to come back with. My final thought is that Palm Desert has released a truly wonderful and masterful record with Rays Of The Gold And Grays that maybe their most defining record to date.

Words by Steve Howe

Rays Of The Gold And Grays will be available to buy digitally and physically via Electric Witch Mountain Recordings from Friday 05th December 2025.

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp

Feel Worse - This Will Weigh Heavily On Your Annual Performance Appraisal (Album Review)

Release Date: November 28th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

This Will Weigh Heavily On Your Annual Performance Appraisal - Tracklisting

1.In Public 03:47

2.Elbow Party 04:31

3.Graves Upon Graves 06:17

4.Break the Ice 03:17

5.So You Die 04:58

6.The Giant Who Wanted Company 03:30

7.Storms 03:57

Review

This Will Weigh Heavily On Your Annual Performance Appraisal is the debut album from Noise/Post-Hardcore/Sludge Metallers Feel Worse and it’s a project made up of members from bands such as Sulaco, Sully and Burn Everything. Feel Worse play a wide range of different musical themes such as Post-Rock, Black Metal, Psych Metal and Industrial Rock within their main Post-Hardcore and Sludge Metal attitude. 

The band are perhaps closer to the likes of KOWLOON WALLED CITY and WHORES with the band creating sludgy anthemic grooves with a stirring social conscience appearing within the lyrics. The vocals are very much of the Post-Hardcore and Punk Rock variety as the music even has influences such as The Melvins, At The Drive-In and Converge to give this quite a highly experimental vibe. Feel Worse even find the time to play around with Psychedelic and Sonic movements which you can feel the full force on tracks such as In Public, Elbow Party and Graves Upon Graves.

With a twisted sense of melody allowing Feel Worse to move across different musical boundaries and even when the vocals move into Pitch-Black territory, the music is constantly melodic with a dark Psychedelic energy appearing within some of the more longer tracks of the record. There are some parts where the music is quite chaotic and Jazz focused in places but it’s quite refreshing to hear with Feel Worse always thinking ahead by creating complex rhythms and musical structures that also allow you to focus upon the lyrical content even more especially on tracks Graves Upon Graves, Break The Ice and The Giant Who Wanted Company.

Feel Worse has a harsh Nineties Alt-Metal attitude appearing on the later stages of the record with plenty of menacing beat-downs and progressive beats becoming more part of the action. This is a highly captivating slice of Noise Rock with a full on Sludge Metal attitude with the album also having quite a surreal experimental sound throughout.

This Will Weigh Heavily On Your Annual Performance Appraisal is a superbly entertaining record which dares to be quite different and still leaves you wanting to hear more with it’s great collection of individual songs that have BRAINS and BRAWN to match in equal measure.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | LinkTree