North Carolina hash thrashers Hempire announce new EP »Sealed By The Sea« out October 24th; documentary film »Count Your Days« out now!

Asheville, North Carolina based stoner/thrash/hardcore trio Hempire has announced their new EP, »Sealed By The Sea«, which will see the light on October 24th, 2026.

In the meantime, you can watch the band’s short documentary »Count Your Days« below!

Tracklist:
01. Indianapolis
02. Price To Pay
03. Blue Water, White Death
04. Death By Secrecy

Courtesy of Good Boy PR:

Hempire will self-release »Sealed By The Sea« on October 24th, an EP recorded in Asheville at Roundtable Studios by Reilly Appert (Fliora).

»Sealed By The Sea« offers a progressive take on stoner rock with elements of hardcore, thrash, and death metal following their debut release »The Weight« (2025). Inspired by historical tragedy, »Sealed By The Sea« is an empirical and intense elaboration of the previous album’s themes of life and death.

Accompanying »Sealed By The Sea« is the short documentary »Count Your Days«, filmed by the band and including behind the scenes footage on the recording process & tour, band member interviews, and more.

Hempire has been a part of the DIY music scene in the southern Appalachian region since 2022, opening for Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, Whores, and Bongripper, along with repeat appearances at Lily’s Snack Bar’s Doomerang Fest and Kentucky’s Holler of Doom.

Hempire will be hitting the road this Fall/Winter with fellow North Carolina heavies Mean Green in October/December and Broadslab in January.

Hempire – »Sealed By The Sea«
EP out October 24th, 2026
Self-released (Digital, CD)

Recorded in Asheville at Roundtable Studios by Reilly Appert (Fliora).

Hempire is:
Joey Shaw – Vox, Guitar
Jon Andre – Drums
Jason Watson – Bass

FFO: High on Fire • Melvins • COC • Howling Giant • Conan

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well