I’ve been locked in with hardcore for a good 15 years now, and aside from some earlier musical obsessions (Green Day, for example—which I still think is the best band in the world), hardcore continues to come in waves from all over the globe. This week, a band called Sidestep is catching my attention.
Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, Sidestep returns with a new batch of songs in the form of a promo release. Drawing from early Turnstile, Trapped Under Ice, and the undeniable swagger of Cold World, Heavy Head // Weak World serves as a follow-up to their killer 2024 self-titled EP (check that out if you haven’t already). The promo features four tracks: an intro, the two title tracks (“Heavy Head” and “Weak World”), and a cover of “Sin Egen Motståndare” by Swedish d-beat legends Totalitär.
“We wanted the promo to be able to stand on its own while we write something longer, and I really think we accomplished that. We’re very proud of it,” vocalist Hugo Sundberg tells No Echo. The release was recorded and mixed with Ulf at Hoborec in southern Sweden, who also worked on the band’s previous EP. “Will at Dead Air Studios then did the master. We’re super happy with how it turned out. Also, our friend Filip made the cover for us,” Hugo adds.
Looking ahead, the band is already deep into the next phase. “We are in the process of writing our second LP, which I’m really proud of,” Hugo says. “This year, we decided to focus fully on that. We will play shows, but not tour and travel as extensively, to allow ourselves to put time into this LP.” That said, Sidestep will still hit the road for a Swedish weekender alongside Ceaseless and Scotland’s Test of Patience.
Sidestep are also heavily involved in their local scene. Half the band plays a key role in organizing shows through Moral Panic Records, a collective that has helped build a strong DIY foundation in Gothenburg. “The scene in Gothenburg is really, really special and has allowed us to play incredible shows at home,” Hugo says. “Now a bunch of hardcore kids have started putting on shows with the same style and attitude as Moral Panic—there’s almost a show every week in the area. We couldn’t be more stoked.”
Beyond regular shows, the crew also launched Moral Panic Fest last year, featuring bands like Scarab, Headbussa, and Dynamite. Keep an eye out—the 2026 edition is right around the corner.
Sidestep also recommends checking out their friends in Outstand, Bulls Shitt, Spitball, Ceaseless, and Test of Patience. Don’t sleep on any of them.
***
Sidestep on social media: Instagram
Tagged: sidestep
