Artist: Hemorrhoid / Sequestrum
Country: USA / Denmark
Label: Extremely Rotten Productions / Headsplit Records
Formats: Split 7″ EP
Year: 2026
Some labels have never lost their love for (split) 7″ EPs. Thank goodness for that. Whether in collaboration with other labels or not, the Danish label Extremely Rotten Productions has treated us to several such releases in recent years that bring back memories of the old days. This clash between the American band Hemorrhoid and Denmark’s Sequestrum, released in collaboration with Headsplit Records, is the latest result, but it has been preceded by singles from Morbific, Sewerhaul, Septic Fumes, Blisterous, Purulent Remains and splits such as those between Undergang/Corpus Offal, Cadaveric Incubator/Cardiac Arrest, Sequestrum/Sněť, Human Corpse Abuse/Mortify and Hemorrhoid/Cadaveric Incubator. It goes without saying that fans of 90s Death Metal/Grindcore singles are in for a real treat once again.
The Americans kick things off, delivering the sort of gory patchwork they’ve previously showcased on the split 7″ EP with Cadaveric Incubator and the 2024 album ‘Raw Materials Of Decay’. This means we’re presented with a brand of Impetigo-inspired Grindcore that also offers clear references to bands such as Dead Infection and General Surgery: dynamic and surprisingly musical. Not only in terms of riffs that are groovy and simple yet effective, or the gurgling vocals, but above all because of the surprising leads tucked away here and there, making a comparison with early Exhumed entirely apt. These three new tracks prove that the Gory Death/Grind of yesteryear is far from dead; you might have to look a little harder, but it’s still out there!
Across the entire spectrum of the Goregrind/Grindcore genre, Sequestrum is certainly one of the most exciting newcomers. The band was formed just over five years ago and has only a handful of short releases to its name: three demos, one EP and two split 7″ EPs, including this latest one; but with just those few releases, the Danish band has already shown that they do things just that little bit differently. But take note: ‘a bit different’ is the key phrase, because all the essential ingredients are certainly there: the pitch-shifted vocals, the groovy rhythms and the swinging riffs. Most of what Sequestrum unleashes on the world sits somewhere between Dead Infection, early Pungent Stench and Blood, but Sequestrum is also like a filled chocolate: the inside may be different from what you can see on the outside. This is evident here in the second (and final) track, ‘Hematic Orifical Exploit’ in which, just when you least expect it, the band’s Southern/Stoner character comes to the fore. It’s by no means so pronounced that people who can’t stand these genres will turn their backs on the band with a grimace, but it’s enough to maintain the element of surprise. This worked really well on previous releases, and here too it makes for a fitting finale.
