Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Vastum - Patricidal Lust (2013)
Two years after corrupting my mind with their excellent and graphic debut, Vastum returned with six more tracks of sexual depravity themed filth. A change of drummer was the only real difference here as Adam Perry replaced R.D. Davies on the skins. The band certainly sound more mature on this release with the song structures being just as solid as the previous offering but the blend of the transitions on the tracks seems less chaotic this time around, although more thought needed to go into the overall album structure this time around.
That having been said I find album opener Seasons in the Claustrum (The Libidinal Spring) a little too fluid to fully appreciate the effort that went into writing it. Enigma of Disgust snaps me back to fond memories of first discovering the band with its slow and punishing, ground and pound delivery. The tone of the guitar is like a doomy slant on swedish death metal. Leila and Daniel are on great form again as they trade vocal blows across the riffscape of the track. All the while Luca Indrio motors along with his consistent and subtle bass work whilst the aforementioned Perry does a great job of holding point on the skins with some variety thrown in on the runs also.
As with the debut, Vastum aren't afraid to make the transition between songs not be as obvious in terms of the start of a new track not necessarily being the end of the previous one. 3am in Agony sounds like Enigma of Disgust is finishing for the first minute or so and as a result I fell it never really gets going as a standalone track. I had struggled to put my finger on why I never really warmed to this track until I sat down with the album playing to write this review. It's a shame because the use of pace in the track to sell the lead work is excellent but I can't shake that disjointed feeling easily unfortunately.
The looming, yet basic riff that introduces Incel sets the tone for a more slow and doomy offering after the varied pace of the opening three tracks. It feels like more of a plod than an all out chugfest though. A solid enough attempt at pacing the record as a whole though but it does tend to stick out like a bit of sore thumb. The title track offers a more atmospheric start before opting for the big riff approach, the pacing is better here and the track soon settles into more of a solid riffing pattern. The track develops well to have a fuller sound as the track progresses but the track never really establishes any presence for me.
The track that closes the album establishes much more impact a lot more quickly than the previous two. Repulsive Arousal feels like something is being forced onto the listener and though it is every bit as repulsive as the title suggests it is something you can't help but be left defenceless by with it's infectious riffing and guttural vocals smothering your ears like the tongue of some heinous sexual predator. When the leads come, they come swarming and biting for your flesh.
Overall, I enjoy the sophomore less than the debut. It has some good ideas but never quite has the arrangement to carry them off, like the work that went into the individual song structures never got envisioned as a structure for a whole album.