LEILA ABDUL-RAUF : " Andros Insidium"

This solo album from Vastum's guitarist/vocalist is more experimental than her death metal band. It starts off with some orchestral grandeur that carries an almost ritualistic feeling. The vibe the album gives off is like if Dead Can Dance scored the soundtrack for another remake of "I Spit On Your Grave". The challenge this album is going to face with me, despite being dark enough for my tastes, and delving into the kind of ancient neo-folk that Dead Can Dance weilds, is that it is not as song-focused as what Lisa and Brendan do. The weave in belly dancing grooves. There is something sexy about it, rather than being an artistic statement about how sex is used against women. In fact, I have no clue what her thoughts would be on the subject because she just makes music. 

Granted, this narrative is not shouted in your face with a megaphone, and the lyrics are shrouded in the ambiance, leaving only an ominous mood. Her voice cuts through more clearly on "Eros Anima," which works better as a song, since the song before this ran together with the opening track. "Senex Rule" is more of an interlude with droning throat singing. You can discern the lyrics to "Fractured Body," giving the song more form and function amid its hypnotic atmosphere. The title track is more gothic and creates an interesting backdrop when she brings in some of her harsher vocal tones. It goes to show I am all for experimentation if it works as a song.

There are two minutes of what sound like a fugel horn, but might be synths, leading up to "A Requiem for Ishtar". Here is employs higher, more siren-like vocals with an operatic leaning to a haunting effect. Another more droning composition. The last song carries the same hypnotic drone that surfaces in various incarnations throughout the album; this time, there is a more haunting Switchblade Symphony-style vibe to it. I will give this album an 8.5. I enjoy the mood it creates, but if I am in the mood for this type of things will mroe than likely listen to Black Tape For a Blue Girl or Dead Can Dance. But if you want some haunting, cinematic neo-folk, this is worth a listen. Drops April 17th on 20  Buck Spin.