Vastum

An extreme metal band featuring members of Acephalix, Necrot, Ulthar, Mortuous, Ionophore, and Cardinal Wyrm, Oakland, California's Vastum specialize in a grinding and groove-laden blend of death and doom metal. Emerging in the early 2010s, the group seasons its lurid sonic brew with lyrics that touch on sexuality and eroticism, and draw inspiration from the works of French writer Georges Bataille and psychoanalyst Jean Laplanche. Founded in 2009 by bass player Luca Indrio, guitarist/vocalist Leila Abdul-Rauf, vocalist Daniel Butler, guitarist Kyle House, and drummer R.D. Davies, the band issued its debut album, Carnal Law, independently in 2011. Davies left the fold shortly thereafter and was replaced by new drummer Adam Perry, who made his studio debut on 2013's Patricidal Lust. 2015's Hole Below saw the departure of guitarist Kyle House, and the arrival of Shelby Lermo, who appeared on the band's fourth studio long-player, Orificial Purge, which was released in 2019 vis 20 Buck Spin. ~ James Christopher Monger