OERHEKS have shared ‘De Vloed Vervloekt,’ the first track revealed from their debut album, De Stroom, through Amor Fati Productions’ official YouTube channel. The album is announced for November 24 internationally, with Amor Fati Productions handling CD and vinyl editions and Babylon Doom Cult issuing the cassette.
The four-song, approximately 41-minute album takes its subject from water and its effects on Cagghenvinna, the Demer valley and the Hageland region. According to the announcement circulated by Suspicious Activities PR, its themes encompass ancient seas, rain, floods and the changing course of the Demer, following water’s journey from source to flood.
The announcement describes a combination of ethereal atmosphere and violent black metal, connecting the music’s shifting intensity to that landscape. ‘De Vloed Vervloekt’ occupies the second position on the album and is listed at 9:10.
Belgium’s OERHEKS first appeared on record with the Cagghenvinna demo in 2022. Five demos preceded the debut album, including two described in the announcement as album-length. Hans Cools is the principal figure behind the project; the supplied background also identifies his involvement with SILVER KNIFE, LVTHN and HÄXENIJZRKELL. The announcement places OERHEKS within Flemish black metal and describes a pagan approach drawing on stories associated with the Hageland.
The newly revealed cover artwork and album layout take inspiration from classical music and soundtrack LPs of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The visual presentation credits artist Pierre Perichaud, photographer Davy Prenen and layout designer Dan Fried.
The running order is ‘Herovering der Diestiaenzee’ (12:09), ‘De Vloed Vervloekt’ (9:10), ‘Veranderende Demermeanders’ (14:42) and ‘Oerwater’ (4:43).
The release announcement also lists a December 4 record-release performance in Antwerp with HÄXENIJZRKELL and IHLOOSUHREE.
