Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
17.07.21
04.01.21
17.07.20
28.06.20
27.06.20
19.06.20
01.05.20
23.04.20
28.02.20
21.02.20
14.02.20
02.01.20
25.11.19
25.10.19
18.10.19
20.09.19
13.09.19
26.07.19
19.07.19
14.06.19
07.06.19
22.03.19
15.03.19
21.12.18
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Today marks 25 years since the release of the iconc 1998 PC game that brought colourful brick-breaking action to the next level: DX-Ball 2! And we are commemorating the event with the release of Sidewinder’s brick-shattering DX-Ball 2 Studio Soundtrack!
At long last, the PC game that helped define Sidewinder’s fan base worldwide finally sees the official release of its vibrant and techno-flavored soundtrack – all 15 tracks fully transformed into brilliant studio remasters!
You can stream DX-Ball 2 Studio Soundtrack for free on YouTube, while supporting Sidewinder fans are always welcome to grab their digital download in lossless and high quality formats on Bandcamp!
So what are you waiting for? Celebrate DX-Ball 2’s 25th anniversary with us and give Sidewinder’s new and glorious DX-Ball 2 Studio Soundtrack some well-deserved play-time on those speakers and headphones!
16/12/23
If you are a true-blue DX-Ball 2 fan, you probably know that DX-Ball 2 was released on December 16, 1998. And you probably also know that the initial release featured a soundtrack by Sidewinder, consisting of three title-screen songs and a high score theme…
Some of you may even be aware that DX-Ball 2 also had a separate soundtrack expansion, known as the Music Pack, which was released on May 12, 1999. Featuring 11 hand-picked MODs by Sidewinder, the Music Pack completed the game’s soundtrack, summing up a total of 15 vibrant and robust Sidewinder tunes.
Five years ago, we presented you with an EP comprising the initial soundtrack for DX-Ball 2, and we celebrated the game’s 20th anniversary with our fully remastered studio versions of Beatwave, Dust Raiders, Seasons and Orbital Flower…
Today, we announce the upcoming release of the complete DX-Ball 2 soundtrack, comprising fifteen fully remastered studio versions, presented to you in celebration of the game’s 25th anniversary.
Remember that noisy, rugged coarsely panned 4-voice sound of the Commodore Amiga? You will undoubtedly forget all about that when you hear the full set of our high-fidelity studio-grade remasters! It’s time to let your ears savour the most exquisite collection of Sidewinder music, with the sonic precision and aural fullness you always longed for.
DX-Ball 2 Studio Soundtrack is available on December 16, 2023, for streaming on YouTube and digital download on Bandcamp.
Wanna hear one of the new remasters from the soundtrack before release? Keep tabs on us at X in the coming days for more news about that!
01/12/23
Today is July 17, marking our third anniversary and exactly one year since the release of Sidewinder’s third studio album, Timeless! And in celebration of the day, we have prepared for you a free studio remaster from Sidewinder!
This song was originally considered a candidate for the album, but ended up bypassing the final cut. We held on to it since then, waiting for the right occasion to present it to you… Well, today is the day we’re finally letting it out of the bag, and the song we present to you is none other than Sidewinder’s stellar synthesizer march, Orbital Dreams – now presented to you as a high-fidelity studio remaster!
You may proceed to stream the song on YouTube, and even download it for free on Bandcamp, as always in high-quality and lossless formats!
Note: If you are going for the free download on Bandcamp, you will have to use the ‘Buy Digital Track’ link, and then input 0 as your order value. This will in turn unlock your free download option. Feeling generous? You’re welcome to show your direct support to Sidewinder and give a tip in exchange for the track!
17/07/21
It’s been a while since we posted a news update, so we want to shed some light on our prospect for 2021. As you might recall, we previously mentioned that Sidewinder’s new album Timeless would see a physical CD release before the end of last year. Today, it is with regret that we announce that the CD project has been discontinued.
There were multiple factors that inclined us to make this decision, all of them collectively concluding that it was not the right season for this project to bear fruit. So when will that season come? While we cannot say anything for sure, it is our goal to hopefully someday be able to provide you with physical CD editions for all of Sidewinder’s remastered releases, and possibly even some official Sidewinder merch.
Concerning the year ahead, the production side of Sheep Hour Records will also be left on hiatus until further notice. While we certainly do have more remastered Sidewinder music planned for the future, we are unfortunately unable to estimate any time frame for when our production process may be able to resume again.
In other news, you may have noticed that we have enabled the Full Digital Discography bundle as a purchase option for you on Bandcamp. If you haven’t purchased your own digital downloads of Sidewinder’s remasters in high quality and lossless format yet, this offer allows you to grab all 40 tracks for $18, saving you $12 with the pre-applied 40% discount! This option appears on every Sidewinder release on Bandcamp, so be sure to drop by and check it out!
04/01/21
Today is the big day! We just released the final track from Sidewinder’s new album on YouTube, and the digital version of Timeless is now finally available on Bandcamp!
So what are you waiting for? Show your direct support to Sidewinder and purchase your official copy of Timeless today, and you will get the whole bunch of 20 tunes for download in high-quality or lossless format – all ready for you right here!
We crafted this product for you with sheer diligence and passion, so do let us know if you appreciate this fine work of art! As an added bonus, your download will also include a logo-free Full HD wallpaper of the album’s cover art, which was designed for us by the talented Howard Winterson!
We hope you enjoy Timeless for all it is, and may it enrich your summer with memorable moments and melodies!
17/07/20
As we mentioned in our introduction to Timeless earlier, starting today, June 28, 2020, we are publishing 1 track from the album on YouTube every day for the next 20 days! The tracks will be published in the order they appear on the album, so this will also be our way of revealing the official track order, while letting each track be a daily surprise for you!
Also starting today, all supporting Sidewinder fans can now pre-order your digital download of Timeless on Bandcamp! We are even running a pre-order discount for the album, giving you the dibs to claim the whole bunch of 20 tracks for only $10! Simply purchase Sidewinder’s new album before July 17, 2020, and you will receive an email with your download link immediately when it goes out!
The standard retail price for the digital download will be set to $12 when the album is released on July 17, 2020, so be sure to seize the opportunity today!
Well, are you ready? We invite you to stream the opening track from Sidewinder’s new album Timeless on YouTube right here!
28/06/20
We’re going to premiere the super-hot track “Just Like That” from Sidewinder’s new and almost-ready album, Timeless, coming up today on-air with our friends at Radio Corax!
You don’t wanna miss out on this ecstatic synth-pop jam from Sidewinder, rewritten from scratch as a new and completed studio version, so be sure to tune in with radiocorax.com today at 3:00 PM UTC!
And don’t forget – the 20-Day Release Marathon for Timeless begins tomorrow, so make sure you are subscribed to us on YouTube!
27/06/20
The time is nigh for the digital release of Sidewinder’s third studio album, and the name of the record is none other than Timeless!
We previously revealed the album’s track list (unordered) to our newsletter subscribers, as well as posting it on Twitter. In no particular order, the album will feature the following songs:
Tribe of Man
Imagine When
Imagine When
Keisha
What Life
Millennium
What Life
Millennium
Tribelands
Beyond the Game
Analyzer
Beyond the Game
Analyzer
Beyond Dreams
Rhelms
Just Like That
Sandrise
Sandrise
She Said
Sheep Dance
Jasmine
Traveler
Sheep Dance
Jasmine
Traveler
Birthday
Alesis
In the Eyes
Honeybee
With a whopping 20 tracks ready to be served on a single plate, we also want to make sure that each song gets some dedicated attention – so beginning on June 28, 2020, we’re going to start a 20-day pre-release marathon for Timeless, publishing one track from the album on YouTube every day! During this period, Timeless will also be available for pre-order on Bandcamp, until the album is finally released on July 17, 2020!
To help boost your excitement, we’re also pleased to present to you a burning hot album preview, so don’t hesitate to check it out right here!
We hope you’re as excited about Sidewinder’s new album as we are, so make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel and join the 20-Day Release Marathon!
19/06/20
Did you know we’ve been working since March, 2018, to create what will become Sidewinder’s third studio album? Well, you do now! We’ve mostly kept quiet regarding anything about the album thus far, but as we’re now slowly closing in towards the release, we want to make sure that the word about Sidewinder’s upcoming album is being heard loud and clear!
Although it’s still a bit early to give away any specific details at this time, we’re more than happy to provide a rough outline for what we have in store, so please enjoy these appetisers:
The album will feature a whole score of awesome tunes, all fully recreated as studio versions.
Some of the tracks will be slightly reinterpreted from their original Protracker versions.
A digital release is planned to conquer first, with a physical release following up later.
The album is scheduled for a release this summer, 2020.
We hope you’re as excited about this upcoming Sidewinder album as we are, and we’ll be keeping you posted about the latest album news coming up!
01/05/20
We’re excited to share that Sidewinder is now getting airplay on Radio Corax in Turkey! Keep an eye on their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more information about when Sidewinder’s releases are scheduled for debut airplay!
Living somewhere else in the world, you say? You can stream Radio Corax live from their website, so be sure to tune in and check out their groovy alternative music!
23/04/20
Okay, everybody lie down on the floor and keep calm – we just added a hidden bonus track to Sidewinder’s blasting Lollybomb EP!
This top secret and exclusive tune is only available when you purchase your copy of Lollybomb EP from Bandcamp, so be sure to show Sidewinder your appreciation for the music and unlock this awesome treasure right away!
Not sure about it just yet? We totally understand – so we want to let you know that this mysterious mystery track will also be revealed in full length on YouTube next Friday, March 6, 2020!
If you already purchased Lollybomb EP, your bonus track is available by simply downloading the EP again. For more information about how to download your purchased music on Bandcamp, you can find instructions here.
28/02/20
You better be ready to party like it’s the early 90s, because Sidewinder’s banging Lollybomb EP is out now and booming!
We packed this explosive EP with 5 absolute techno jams, ready to detonate on the dance floor and blast off the roof! Now presented anew in sweet high-fidelity audio, these killer tunes have never sounded more amazing!
Lollybomb EP is available for streaming on YouTube, while supporting Sidewinder fans can grab their digital download in lossless and high quality formats on Bandcamp!
21/02/20
Lollybomb is the EP with attitude! Blast your speakers with this sweet selection of Sidewinder’s most explosive tunes, featuring 5 unique flavours for you to experience!
This time, we traced back to Sidewinder’s roots within the tracker scene, digging up the most lit tunes from yesterday’s Amiga rave party! We also gave each track a complete revamp, transforming the classic 8-bit tunes into a sonic explosion of richness and clarity!
It’s time to get retro and rave like the 90s never ended, ’cause they’re coming back on February 21, 2020, with the options for streaming on YouTube and digital download on Bandcamp!
Meanwhile, be sure to drop by the EP’s landing page for the options to preview and pre-order the music right here!
14/02/20
It’s 2020 and a brand new decade! So what will this awesome year bring from Sidewinder?
We have been busy for the past couple of months, working to put together more remastered Sidewinder music for you. Coming down the pipeline, we have a series of neatly revised and polished Sidewinder tracks, which will conclude Sidewinder’s next EP this winter. We’re not gonna tell you just yet what it is, but it will be some wild and noisy stuff, for sure!
In other news, we are glad to formally announce that Sidewinder’s upcoming third studio album will be coming later this year, currently planned for a release in the summer. You will certainly recognise many of the tunes to appear on this record, and we are happy to also be introducing a handful of rare and previously lost songs, which have all been recreated and realised into their true studio potential.
In the meantime, stay tuned with us – you will hear from us again soon!
02/01/20
If you like the visuals we have conjoined with Sidewinder’s releases thus far, you can now get an exclusive 1920×1080 wallpaper version of the official artwork when purchasing either of the following releases on Bandcamp: Technobee, Wonderfull, Strike A Panzai and Concerto Tragedia.
The wallpaper is included as a bonus item with your digital download, which Bandcamp bundles into the ZIP file containing your purchased audio.
If you previously purchased a release from us before the wallpaper was added, simply download your purchased audio again from your Bandcamp fan account, or use the link in your order confirmation email. If you need any further support with this, please get in touch with Bandcamp via their website.
Releases featuring a desktop wallpaper will from now on include the note “your purchase of this release also includes a 1920×1080 desktop wallpaper of the artwork” displayed in the order description on the Bandcamp page.
25/11/19
Are you ready for Sidewinder’s dramatic and eerie new single? Well, ready or not: Concerto Tragedia is out now!
This haunting future-medieval synthesizer symphony arrives just in time for the season, so prepare your headphones and speakers for a most unique and dark piece from Sidewinder…
Concerto Tragedia is available for streaming on YouTube, while supporting Sidewinder fans can grab their digital download in lossless and high quality formats on Bandcamp!
You may proceed to the good stuff here…
25/10/19
Today we reveal to you a mystery hidden within Strike A Panzai… If you already heard the Sidewinder’s previous single, you were likely gripped by the rushing orchestral segments. But what you likely did not know is that the two melodic sequences are actually part of an entirely different piece, originally left unfinished for over two decades…until now.
In response to a request from Eric himself, Zephyrean took on the venture to finish the once lost orchestral piece, revealing the sonic secrets of a story untold. The result is a spine-chilling symphonic synthesizer drama of unsettling mysteries and dark endeavours, unveiling a sound of Sidewinder you never heard before…
Concerto Tragedia, Sidewinder’s enigmatic prequel to Strike A Panzai, will be available for streaming on YouTube and digital download on Bandcamp, starting October 25, 2019. In the meantime, be sure to check out the single’s landing page for a haunting preview, an epic backstory and the option to pre-order now!
18/10/19
Watch out everyone! Sidewinder’s fierce new single Strike A Panzai is on the loose!
You can now stream this crazy jungle-orchestra-synthesizer-fusion of a tune on YouTube! We also invite all of you supporting Sidewinder fans to grab your digital download of the track in lossless and high quality formats on Bandcamp!
If you think you can handle it, just head right over here!
There’s no risk at all!
20/09/19
If you’re reading this, you better watch out – Sidewinder is about to release an untamed beast! And by that we mean an untamed beast of a new single: Strike A Panzai!
This intense jungle-style tune takes the drum and bass genre to the next level with its heavy melodic infusion, led by a dramatic orchestral theme that will stirr your heart and soul…
For this wild beast of a release, we traced the song back to its tracker module roots from 1995, desperately trying to cage and disarm it. And when that didn’t work out, we ended up giving it our specialised reconstruction treatment, transforming it into a hot new studio remaster of a Sidewinder gem!
Take heed now – Strike A Panzai is coming September 20, 2019, available for streaming on YouTube and digital download on Bandcamp!
Until then, be sure to drop by the single’s landing page for the options to preview and pre-order right here!
13/09/19
We bring you the news that Sidewinder’s summer anthem Wonderfull is indeed out now!
As some of you may know, this is the original synthesizer version of the better known tracker module What Life, which was featured in the DX-Ball 2 sequel, Rival Ball. Originally written in 1996 on Eric’s Ensoniq SQ-2, What Life was the first completed version of the song, while Wonderfull made its debut in 1999 on MP3.com. They are in essence the very same song, but the nuances between the tracker version and the studio version still differ like night and day!
For this fine release by Sidewinder, we introduce a brand new version of Wonderfull, reviving the lost original and kicking it up a notch! In addition, we have also included the perfect remix to complement all the bouncy and exciting vibes, presenting a most serene and relaxing arrangement from Zephyrean, guaranteed to soothe your mind into tranquility.
Wonderfull is available for streaming on YouTube, while supporting fans can grab their digital download in high-quality or lossless formats on Bandcamp – all waiting for you right here!
26/07/19
Sidewinder is ready to enrich your life with some sweet mid-summer vibes, introducing the brilliant new single: Wonderfull!
We know you Rival Ball fans out there are gonna love this one, because Wonderfull is actually the synthesizer version of What Life – the sampled tracker module counterpart from 1996. Better yet, the song has been rewritten from scratch, providing a slightly extended track with an extra overall polish. We assure you this bouncy marveling tune will rock your summer!
Furthermore, we even have another remix coming from Zephyrean, this time providing a romantic ambient arrangement of the song – perfect for those lazy summer days, just lying out in sun!
Wonderfull will be available for streaming on YouTube and download on Bandcamp from July 26, 2019.
In the meantime, we invite you to preview and pre-order the single over here.
19/07/19
We’re buzzed to announce that Sidewinder’s new single Technobee is finally out! However, we also have a couple of precautions to address about this fine release:
First, we regret to say that we were unable to retrieve the lossless audio for Sidewinder’s better known 1997 remix of Technobee, meaning that we cannot distribute this track on Bandcamp. In addition, due to technical difficulties with the video production for the release, the YouTube playlist for Technobee will be delayed by one day, available from tomorrow on June 15, 2019. This means that unless any further announcement is made, Sidewinder’s 1997 remix of Technobee will be exclusive to the YouTube release of the single.
In the case we would be able to retrieve the raw audio for the track in question, we do have the ability to retroactively add the missing track to the release on Bandcamp. In this scenario, if you already purchased the single previously, the new track will be available immediately at no additional cost.
As for the single itself, we’ve still got you covered with a jam-packed release of pure nectarous goodness, headed by the revised revival of Sidewinder’s original Technobee from 1996, plus another remix and a bonus track!
We can’t wait for you to hear all the good stuff we packed into this single, so go ahead and check it out right here!
14/06/19
As warmer days finally embrace the northern hemisphere of the world, Sheep Hour Records has you covered for the new season with our upcoming new single – and it’s none other than Sidewinder’s signature track: Technobee!
The bee song was originally written in 1996 on the Ensoniq SQ-2 synthesizer, but it was never finished as a complete track. Although a MOD version was created by sampling the sequences from the synth, all the song data on the synthesizer was soon after erased in the incident of a memory crash, making Technobee but one of multiple Sidewinder songs that were permanently lost. But with the aid of the MOD version and his Ensoniq SQ-R sound module, Zephyrean has brought the song back to life, diving into its very essence to bring out a renewed and completed version!
We’re packing this single up with 4 nectarous tracks, including the revived original mix and the hard-hitting 1997 remix + 2 additional surprises – all available for your enjoyment on YouTube and Bandcamp, starting June 14, 2019.
We know your ears are itching to hear the good stuff, so we went ahead and prepared a little preview for you!
07/06/19
You may already have heard the tracker version of Arisan (Crossroad) from 1993, which was given a limited feature in the cult-hit artillery game Scorched Tanks on the Commodore Amiga. Perhaps you even heard the album master from Sidewinder’s debut record, Future Shock 2. But we guarantee you have never before heard the song come alive this crisp and clear!
Sidewinder’s new single is out now, available for streaming on YouTube and download in lossless and high quality formats on Bandcamp. As an added treat, we have also included a complementing remaster of the original 1992 version of the song!
22/03/19
We are excited to announce our next release from Sidewinder! Taken from the archive of Sidewinder’s old tracker modules, Arisan has been given our special reconstruction treatment, being transformed from an 8-bit tracker module into a true studio quality recording – all while still retaining the character of the original composition.
The new single will feature two fully remastered versions of the song, the original version of the latter also being previously unreleased!
Arisan is available for streaming on YouTube and download on Bandcamp from March 22, 2019.
15/03/19
We’re launching a Year End promo contest, giving you the chance to win a 50% off discount code to apply when buying DX-Ball 2 Sound Selection on Bandcamp!
To enter the contest, simply join our Sidewinder newsletter by submitting your email on the contest page, and you will be included in the drawing of 5 winners!
The contest will end on December 31, 2018, and the winners will be emailed their discount codes shortly after, all of which will be declared on our Twitter.
21/12/18
We are pleased to announce the official release of DX-Ball 2 Sound Selection! The songs are now available for streaming on YouTube, so head right over and enjoy some fine Sidewinder tunes, rewritten from scratch in studio quality, true to the character and sound of the originals! Be sure to also get your digital download of the EP over at Bandcamp, available in both high quality and lossless formats.
14/12/18
Sheep Hour Records proudly presents our first release: DX-Ball 2 Sound Selection – an extended play featuring recreated revisions of the 4 songs you heard in the initial release of DX-Ball 2, back in 1998. What better way to kick things off than by celebrating the 20th anniversary of the PC game that became Sidewinder’s biggest breakthrough!
For this exclusive soundtrack release by Sidewinder, each song has been reconstructed from scratch within an unrestricted sonic environment, using the very same synthesizer that produced the sounds you would find in the respective tracker modules. As a result, you can now enjoy these songs as recreated revisions, preserving the clarity and stereo spectrum of the sounds you only heard as 8-bit monophonic samples.
DX-Ball 2 Sound Selection is available from December 14, 2018 on Bandcamp.
Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter for the final announcement next Friday. You can also join our mailing list to get in the loop of the latest Sidewinder news.
07/12/18
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