About a decade ago, Vastum crawled out from the shadowy scene of the Bay Area. It was in the year 2013 when the band received appreciation on their most successful album to date: Patricidal Lust. The latest material from this five piece band relies on simple song structure. In most instances Vastum uses some ritualistic and electronics samples that produce eerie sounds. The new album also includes some renowned musicians such as the drummer Chad Gailey of Mortuous, bassist Luca Indrio and vocalist Daniel Butler of Acephalix. Guitarist and vocalist Leila Abdul Rauf and guitarist Shelby Lermo of Ulthar. This visceral band plays old school death metal in vein of Autopsy, Coffins and there are lot of comparison as well to the band Acephalix. Those who have been anticipating the band’s latest material should rejoice. The new and long awaited album entitled Orificial Purge is released via 20 Buck Spin.

Orificial Purge contains six solid tracks of heavy and raw old school death metal, the new album is a continuation of the band’s previous albums such as Patricidal Lust and Hole Below. The first track Dispossessed In Rapture (First Wound) kicks off with a heavy onslaught riff. Vastum are accentuated by the upbeat riffage and mid tempo paces. The band gives a lot of value to the riffs and grooves, therefore the comparison to bands like Acephalix comes to mind when you listen to them. Other strong delivery comes from the dual vocals which are handled by Leila Abdul-Rauf and the vocalist of Acephalix Daniel Butler. These combinational growls are aided by steamrolling drums that strike with overwhelming power.

As mentioned, all the six tracks are driven by the filthy and primitive old school riffs. Moreover, the band also crosses the borders of doom metal with the song composition that involves slow doomy riffs. You’ll hear some gutted growls that are contrasting the sinister melodies. Through deep guttural vocals and the slow pacing riffs, Vastum evokes the sense of doom metal without being obliged to its depressive slow tempos. I On the Knife (Second Wound) is a good blend of punishing drums and deep guttural growls. During the track the slow pace of the rhythm guitar creates the effect with drums providing a solid performance.

Most of the tracks here are dominated by mid paced tempo. Vastum deliberately focuses on these areas to launch series of sweeping riffs and depressive melodies. The album is a solid overture, but it doesn’t present anything new in my opinion. Not to say that the band has failed to produce a good album. It was hard to predict on how the band would sound on the latest album. After listening to their sophomore Patricidal Lust, it gave me an impression that the band would be stuck with the generic sound. Another example which falls relevant to my criticism, is the track Abscess inside Us which includes standard riffs with simple heavy riffage that continues midway through the track.

The overall performance is quite generic but not pleasing enough from a band that includes renowned musicians. While the drums are the strongest part of the band, the growls are mainly good and nicely executed. The final three tracks hold most of the musical value on the album. The title track Orificial Purge features some eerie sounds and it’s where Vastum kicks hard. The band revs up its engine as the track begins with double bass and guitar dissonance. The excellent skills of drummer Chad Gailey are accompanied by series of riffs and tremolo pickings. 

Vastum batters with a heavy chunk of riffs, bringing the American style of death which is attributed by its savage growls and brutality. The band professionally unravels the elements and the visceral sound of Autopsy on the fifth track Reveries in Autophagia. Towards pummeling double bass the guitars provides massive bulldozing riffs and grooves. The dual growls and the impact of the heavy riffage are overemphasized to increase the effectiveness.

Lyrically the final track His Sapphic Longings reflects on the perversions of the human behavior and the urge to sin. The closing track is a mid-paced song and has some hints to Autopsy and the Japanese death/doom band Coffins. Launched by down tuned guitars and pulverizing riffs, the track is a great showcase of the band’s primitive style of death metal. Orificial Purge is a good old school death metal record adjusted by the dual vocals of Daniel and guitarist Leila Abdul Rauf. The musical expansion of the newest album has brought various elements from previous albums as mentioned. If you crave for some filthy slab of primitive death metal with hints from Autopsy, Necrot and Coffins then look no further.

Release Date: October 25th, 2019
Label: 20 Buck Spin
Track list:

1. Dispossessed In Rapture (First Wound)
2. I On The Knife (Second Wound)
3. Abscess Inside Us
4. Orificial Purge
5. Reveries In Autophagia
6. His Sapphic Longing