It’s been a difficult few years for Fuming Mouth since they released their debut, The Grand Descent. You can likely get that entire backstory from any other review of this album, so I won’t dive into it here. However, suffice it to say this band came out swinging with their follow-up, Last Day of Sun.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Massachusetts-based hardcore/death metal/crust hybrid, do yourself a favor and give this one a listen. Then do yourself another and grab their debut and 2021 EP. After that, why not knock out a quick tug? You’ve earned it and don’t let anyone tell you different!

I’ll mention a few tracks of course, but let me assure you, there are so many bangers, the boss is going to try to eat the album along with his mash (whatever that means). I’ll start with “Out of Time,” which is the opener. It’s difficult not to relate the title to frontman Mark Whelan’s struggles. The 6-plus-minute track, despite its length, is brimming with urgency. Along with the HM-2 guitar tone and the bass to match, the band has a d-beat, crusty, almost metalcore bounce. The chorus is heavy, the drums are pounding, and they sound nearly perfect in the mix. The last minute is also the heaviest part.

“Silence Beyond Life” is a track worth mentioning because of some surprises. Sure, it’s still super heavy with a crusty, d-beat plod, but then clean vocals come in. They’re of the throaty, metalcore variety, but fit quite well. In the first section of them, you only get a tease, like that friend you have who sends you dirty pics, but you know isn’t going to fuck you. Except Fuming Mouth does fuck you… with more clean vocals. Look, I didn’t think this through, much like most of my life. The music does briefly stop completely, which makes sense for a song with “silence” in the title. This is when the solo creeps in, and then a final chorus.

Moving slightly forward into the album, my next favorite is “I’ll Find You.” It begins with a quick solo, then the verse. The chorus comes quickly, and it’s the title being repeated with great force. It’s a short track, at less than 3 minutes, but it’s as impactful and heavy as your mother.

I’ll mention the title track next, which of course is “Last Day of Sun.” It’s a bruiser. I can’t wait to see that verse live. The chorus is relatable on many levels. I can’t decide if it’s chants or synths in the background since they’re buried. The breakdown near the end is brutal and well worthy of being the title track.

I’m so happy for these guys. The weight of expectations and a “comeback” album (although it’s only been 4 years) are heavy burdens. Many bands fail at the prospect, and could you blame them? However, if it wasn’t already clear, Fuming Mouth has met and exceeded them. The difficulty now lies in whether they can keep the momentum going into a brighter future. After what they’ve already endured, my money’s on these guys being perfectly capable. I’m ecstatic for them and the metal world to see what they do next.

[Visit the band's website]

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