Well, that is if you even consider “sex” to be anything other than a social construct. In the scant few interviews that they have given so far, the members of Vastum (Luca Indrio on bass, Leila Abdul-Rauf on guitars and vocals, and Daniel Butler on vocals) have successfully proven to the world that they paid attention in college, thus forcing one anonymous Internet commenter to label Vastum as death metal “for people who have read Foucault, Bataille, and Kristeva.”
Well, that may be true, but you don’t need to be hip on gender studies or the theories of sexuality to get the thrust of “Patricidal Lust.” In six tracks, “Patricidal Lust” outlines a slower, more stripped-down type of death/doom blueprint that is then filled to the rafters with intelligent lyrics about existential dread, the fear of our own bodies, and yadda, yadda, yadda. It’s true that Vastum write smarter lyrics than the usual extreme metal outfit, but since the point of the growling vocal delivery is feeling trumping clarity, these highfalutin words are ultimately subservient to Vastum’s crushing grooves and their Obituary-meets-Bolt Thrower breakdowns.
“Libidinal Springs,” the album’s opener, lets the listener know immediately that this is a record of the old school - it focuses on the mid-range while at the same time it allows sonic space for the type of low-end, microtonal expressions that past and present cro-magnons love. “3Am in Agony,” the record’s third track, rinses and repeats much of the same lessons as “Libidinal Springs,” whilst “Enigma of Disgust,” the album’s longest track, unleashes a type of boorish brutality that can be felt even in the dankest recesses of the human body (i.e., the taint).
By the time “Repulsive Arousal” comes around, it should be clear to you that Patricidal Lust is the type of doom/death metal release that should have been made in 1991 - death metal’s golden year. Sludgy, pulverizing, and thicker than my arteries after wing night, “Patricidal Lust” is the sound of Cannibal Corpse-era Chris Barnes repeatedly smashing a hammer across your face, although this time around Barnes is clutching a Ph.D in lit. crit. in his other hand.
Track List:
1. Libidinal Springs
2. Enigma of Disgust
3. 3Am in Agony
4. Incel
5. Patricidal Lust
6. Repulsive Arousal
“Patricidal Lust” will be released on November 12 via 20 Buck Spin
Words: Benjamin Welton
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