For whatever reasons, let’s say probably creative differences, Howls Of Ebb split up after just a couple of albums leaving half the line-up, Brungard to go it alone with new project Herxheim. Introduction made via Cultivating Throne Of Fur EP last year we now have a “cutting” arrival via this debut album via I, Voidhanger Records bringing things right up to date. It would appear that the name of this project could have been taken from a place called Bad Dürkheim, in Rhineland, despite the fact that Brungard is located in Texas. Maybe it’s a complete coincidence but the interesting thing if so is that archaeological remnants have led to the belief that the whole community may have been cannibalised circa 4950 BC leading to their complete disappearance. The fact that “tool marks on the bones show that the flesh had been carefully scraped off” may also explain the use of the word Incised on the album title. Even if this is completely wrong it makes an interesting story and allows me to waffle on and give a bit more of an insight into things than the average review.

Anyway, onto the music itself. What I get here as the battering, clattering drums and snarling vocals of 1st track ‘Wanton of Idols’ hone in and the blackened, deathly, thrashy tumult takes form is of a nutty multi-instrumentalist going it alone and making a racket. This is in similar ways and style of arch-nutcase Proscriptor McGovern of Absu /Apsu but perhaps without the mad in between track announcements here is renowned of in the live arena. It’s not all full gallop though and atmosphere is ramped by ghostly choral backing aspects and periods of nostalgia laden synth-work. Production is nice and meaty and the dominating drum work comes across particularly impressively holding it all together as the vocals craggily elongate fetid growls and rasps. There’s a thick bass emphasis too and it seems that Brungard has focus and form over his domain and a clear and cohesive idea of what he wants to project; namely a mix of styles, sinisterism and with some low barking intonations a feel of the macabre. Sounding a bit like a cannibalistic feast the snappy pace ramps up for ‘Lesson Crescent’ and the drums beat out a tribal tattoo like a call to a grotesque dinner table as yells of “fire” urge the pot to boil up its ghastly feast. Some razor-sharp grinding thrash parts as limbs are torn asunder and the crackling of flames complete the grizzly picture. At least they are not tucking in raw. The synths here and the eerie nature of songs such as ‘Branded by Pentagram’ (are those knives being sharpened at the start) further the narrative going on in my head here. The music has obviously done a good job taking to a very dark place of horrific rituals and there are definitely flavours to numbers such of this that will appeal to fans of the beastly Beherit.

Ultimately it is a fairly brief album, 5 main tracks, a short interlude and 37 minutes of music but what at first seemed short and concise seems to have a lot more depth than I gave it credit for on first couple of listens. Drawing you in, the primitivism of vocals and thudding drums along with the (dungeon) synth aspects and subtle screaming samples of ‘Chateaux Delirium’ definitely leave the listener unsettled and on edge as visions of aristocratic ghouls feasting on the flesh and perhaps bathing in the blood of virgins swarm the mind. There’s plenty of horror here and as we trawl the doomy crevasses of final number ‘Warrior Master Lore’ it is evident that Brungard is onto something very interesting with his new flesh laid bare. I would definitely be up for further sittings at his very grim table.

(7.5/10 Pete Woods)

https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/incised-arrival