Sid Vishnu was a hardcore punk band from Palmerston North, New Zealand, formed in early 1997. The lineup consisted of Scott Mercer (drums), Damian Joyce (guitar), Kelvin Shearman (guitar), and Kevin Hunt (vocals). Kevin and Kelvin had previously played in Motorsheep, with Kevin also fronting Master Cheese Maker. Influenced by punk and hardcore giants like Discharge, Varukers, and Misfits, as well as crust and grindcore acts such as Napalm Death, Assuck, Carcass, Gauze, and Assfort, the band carved out a raw, aggressive sound.

They made their chaotic live debut at The Stomach in Palmerston North shortly after forming, where a drunken performance saw Kevin nearly knock himself out by colliding with Damian’s guitar. They soon recorded an eight-song demo at Kevin and Scott’s house with Jarrod Love of Motorsheep which was self-released on cassette as “Collapsed and Bleeding”.

Sid Vishnu became a fixture in the local scene, playing at The Stomach and homebrew fuelled house parties in Palmerston North, and venturing to Wellington for shows at Thistle Hall, including Punkfest 1997, alongside bands like Fatal Error, Subreption, and Loosehead.

In June 1998, they recorded 13 tracks at The Stomach, which Kevin later released as the “Blind Axe of Faith” album in 2000 on Manticore Records. The band’s run ended in July 1998 when Kevin relocated to Japan, with their final show supporting Auckland’s Sommerset at The Stomach.

Origin	Palmerston North
Genre	punk, metal
Years Active	1997 – 1998
Labels	Manticore Records
Associated Acts	Motorsheep Master Cheese Maker
Past Members	Kevin Anthony Hunt (vocals) Damian Joyce (guitar) Scott Mercer (drums) Kelvin Shearman (guitar)

Releases

Title	Date	Label	Type	Format
Collapsed And Bleeding	1997		EP	tape
Intemperance – Palmerston North Compilation	1997		compilation	CD
No Fate IV	1998, Feb 21	HG Fact	compilation	CD
Radio Massey 99.4 Live To Air Compilation	1998	Radio Massey	compilation	CD
Swamp Musak	1998	Radio Massey	compilation	CD
Beer City Underground Invasion #2	1999	Beer City Records	compilation	CD
Blind Axe Of Faith	2000	Manticore Records	album	CD
Critical Pedagogy: A Compilation Of Teachers In Punk Bands	2000		compilation	CD, 12″
End Corporate Domination	2000	Loudmouth Records	compilation	CD
Out Of Control: 30 Years Of Radio Massey	2010	Radio Massey	compilation	CD