Detroit EP by Hedorah: A Crushing Sonic Assault from the Rust Belt
Released in 2011 on DIY Noise, Detroit EP by Hedorah is a raw and unrelenting slab of grindcore, death metal, and doom metal that feels like a punch to the gut—repeatedly. Hailing from the US, this five-track release (plus intro and outro) doesn’t mess around with frills or filler. Instead, it delivers an abrasive yet strangely cohesive experience that captures both the bleakness and defiance of its namesake city.
The lineup features Jerrod Preston handling bass and guttural vocals, Marc Zakalik on drums pounding out rhythms that could crack concrete, and guitarists Mike Massar and Ryan Riggs weaving riffs so heavy they seem to warp time itself. It’s clear these guys aren’t here for fame—they’re here to make noise, plain and simple.
Two tracks stand out as particularly unforgettable. First up is “A Shallow Grave For Rick Snyder.” Now, if you know anything about Michigan politics, you’ll get why this song hits hard. The title alone screams protest, but musically, it's just relentless. The chugging guitars feel like industrial machinery grinding away at your soul, while Preston’s vocals sound like pure anguish personified. You can almost picture someone screaming into the void of bureaucratic apathy. This ain’t background music—it demands your attention.
Then there’s “Force Fed Shit,” which might be the most aptly named track ever. From the opening riff, it slams you with all the subtlety of a runaway freight train. The drums are chaotic yet precise, creating a sense of controlled chaos that perfectly mirrors the lyrical themes of being overwhelmed by forces beyond your control. About halfway through, the tempo shifts unexpectedly, dragging you down into a swampy doom section before erupting back into full-on grindcore fury. Honestly, I don’t think my ears have recovered yet.
While the other tracks—like “Cop Crusher” and “Hivemind”—are equally brutal, what ties everything together is how organic it feels. There’s no glossy production sheen here; every cymbal crash and snare hit sounds like it was recorded live in some dingy basement. And honestly? That works. It gives the whole thing an authenticity that polished albums often lack.
One minor quirk worth mentioning is the inclusion of “The World To Save (Intro)” and “Epitaph (Outro).” These bookend pieces add a touch of atmosphere, though they’re brief enough not to detract from the main event. Still, you gotta wonder—isn’t life already short enough without intros and outros?
In hindsight, Detroit EP isn’t just another metal record. It’s a snapshot of frustration, anger, and maybe even hope buried beneath layers of distortion. Listening to it feels less like entertainment and more like witnessing something primal—a sonic middle finger aimed squarely at despair.
So yeah, give this one a spin if you’ve got the stomach for it. Just be warned: once you press play, there’s no turning back. Oh, and fun fact—I listened to this album while stuck in Detroit traffic once, and let me tell ya, it made rush hour way more bearable. Who knew?
