New Zealand stoner metal heavyweights Sidewinder share fierce new single »Tempest«; new album »Dominion« details announced!
Wellington, New Zealand based stoner metal band Sidewinder share a music video for the third single »Tempest« taken from their forthcoming full-length album, »Dominion«, set to release on December 4th, 2026 via Wyrmwood Records.
Listen to »Tempest« on Spotify and all major digital streaming platforms!
Courtesy of Sheltered Life PR:
Unstoppable, monstrous, and impossible to ignore, listen to a vortex of doom, psych, and progressive metal with the Wellington quartet…
New Zealand heavyweights Sidewinder are back with »Tempest«, a brooding, riff-heavy single that signals a darker, heavier and more progressive ahead of the release of their third album, »Dominion«, in December.
Formed in Wellington in 2021, Sidewinder have built a reputation for towering riffs, monolithic grooves and blues-drenched heaviness, establishing themselves as a formidable presence in Aotearoa’s hard rock and stoner scene.
Photo credit: Bradley SG
Following their 2022 debut »Vines« and sophomore album »Talons«, Sidewinder have continued to build momentum through explosive live performances and support slots with international heavyweights including Orange Goblin and Sasquatch. Their powerful stage presence has helped establish them as a band equally at home on stage and in the studio. Produced by Toby Lloyd at Tiny Triumph Recordings, mastered by Will Borza (Deftones, Smashing Pumpkins), »Tempest« captures Sidewinder at full power, combining bone-dry stoner-doom swagger with swamp-soaked heaviness.
“»Tempest« is the third single from our upcoming album, »Dominion«. A throwback to one of our older songs, »Tempest« is the daughter of Mother Earth, called upon when mistreatment of the world goes too far. It’s a massive, hard-hitting track with a powerful message at its core.”
Their third album, »Dominion«, marks a new chapter for Sidewinder, introducing vocalist Jem alongside guitarists Ben Sargent and Thomas Rousell, bassist Si Randall, and drummer Grant Lister. Jem’s commanding presence brings a fresh dynamic to the band’s sound, pushing their songwriting into heavier and more expansive territory.
With »Dominion«, Sidewinder build on the foundations of their first two albums and further their reputation as one of New Zealand’s rising heavy-rock exports. Released worldwide on December 4th, 2026 via Wyrmwood Records, stream and share new single »Tempest« HERE.
“Riff City. Equal parts hard rock and smoky stoner metal, »Talons« is practically made to destroy your speakers.” — Metal Injection
“The riffs are unstoppable, the vocals even more so. And the band makes it all sound so simple, so natural, fitting together so well yet including enough surprises and inventions it doesn’t get old fast.” — Angry Metal Guy
Line-up:
Jem Tupe – Vocals
Ben Sargent – Lead Guitar
Thomas Rousell – Rhythm Guitar
Si Randall – Bass
Grant Lister – Drums
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well