ALBUM REVIEW: Vastum – Orificial Purge

The highly awaited fourth album of filth-ridden Death Metallers VASTUM is here, set for release via 20 Buck Spin on October 25th. This one should be horrendously heavy.

Setting things off with chilling ambience and eerie ritualistic chants, there is no lack of creepy vibes before the music has even started, especially when the swirling snarls are added. Grooving and festering guitars over snapping drum pounds drive in a disgusting blend of grisly Death Metal, filthy production definitely present which adds to the mortuary lurking guttural vocals amidst the doomy odious riffing. A real sense of clarity is noticeable with well-driven and punctual musicianship that does not lack direction takes us on a journey into the abyss with a hateful sonic spewing being convulsively thrown at us with brilliant force. There are some really tight sections that take a marching approach that breaks up swampy riffs with plenty of headbanger-friendly sections amidst the atmospheric bowel-rupturing depravity of the tremolo riffing and blastbeats. Another noteworthy thing about this record that sets it out from the typical 20 Buck Spin bands is that there are some really estranged lead guitars that give the more spectral vibes of Blood Incantation and similar artists rather than the more sewer-ridden putridity of label mates like Fetid. Additionally there is some marvellous use of thrashy sections that transcend into much more doomy territories which in essence is the ultimate contrast and works fiercely well when cloaked in the stench of Death Metal. Lacking no energy, the songs lurch from strength to strength with glistening gore dripping from the ooze of killer yet primitive guitars riffs, backed with impeccable drumming. While I personally prefer the likes of Cerebral Rot and Witch Vomit, there is no denying that this record has a charm of storming, low-tuned guttural grooves that are intensely enjoyable and enticing with some vicious dissonant flare used sparingly and with subtlety. Upbeat sections, much like the occasionally thrashy parts do add a fun element to the otherwise gruellingly heavy album to keep your spirits high and drive some additional energy into things which works beautifully betwixt pounding and crushing Death-Doom ferocity and makes for a gorgeously mixed listen. Four albums in and Vastum are still doing something a bit different which I really admire about them, it may not be the most “out-there” or my favourite Death Metal release either, but it certainly is not boring or lacking quality and some great ideas. If you enjoy the swampier side of things with gut-shaking low frequencies, then get right onto checking these guys out. -8/10