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Track Listing: Primal Seduction Re-Member Devoid Umbra Interna Carnal Law Spirit Abused

Coming out of the Bay Area/San Francisco, my old stomping grounds and where some of the finest death and thrash metal acts have risen, Vastum has shown they are ready to play with the big boys. Signing on with indie label 20 Buck Spin, this death metal outfit is preparing to release their full-length album "Carnal Law" at the end of May. Fans of old school death metal might want to pay attention because this one's for you.

Vastum has managed to spew out some of the most wretched metal I've heard in awhile. Very stripped down and raw, Vastum's musicianship is tight and the lyrical content dabbles in sexual and psychic disfiguration. Might I add that the female in the band kicks major ass? Yes, she does. Leila supplies a viciousness that I love. Dan (vocals), Kyle (guitar), Leila (vocals, guitar), Luca (Bass), RD (drums) have all harnessed in their talents together making this album very powerful.

The opener "Primal Seduction" enters with killer guitar riffs and demonic vocals supplied by Leila and Dan. "Re-Member" begins as more somber but is slowly carried out into more of an up-tempo beat with Dan's vocals supplying an endless amount of brutality. "Devoid" carries that classic death metal chugging and the vocals carry an insane amount of power. I want to say it's Leila and Dan both on this track, and if it is, they fit each other's style perfectly. They then manage to take it up another notch with an awesome guitar solo at headbanging speed.

"Umbra Interna" drips with pure evil, with a melancholy rhythm and the kind of vocals that make your skin crawl. "Spirit Abused" is a great closer again with both Dan and Leila showing off their skills of demonic power. Although Vastum is fairly new to the scene they carry the spirit of old school death metal with full force, they know how to harness that strength and make it their own. You definitely want to go out and pick up a copy of "Carnal Law"!