Nothing makes me feel more proud than when a local band from the Boston scene makes it. I’ve been a big fan of Fuming Mouth over the years of their growth and was pleased to find their sophomore full-length, Last Day of Sun (Nuclear Blast Records), in my bin.

This album was longer than I anticipated at forty-five minutes, but it certainly keeps your attention and does not overstay its welcome. There are enough differences and evolutions on enough of the tracks that it keeps things fresh as you are dragged through this hellacious soundscape.

For the Last Day of Sun, it certainly starts off with a big message in “Out of Time.” This is a crushing way to open the album both musically and lyrically. It sets up the rest of the album of how vocalist/guitarist Mark Whelan dealt with his recent fight and victory over leukemia. 

Another stand out track is the more upbeat “The Sign Of Pain,” complete with two solos to air guitar to. Fuming Mouth shows their abilities for playing the faster side of crust punk and Swedish Death Metal, while also not forgetting their roots with a spine-bending breakdown in the outro. 

If you were hoping for more of that D-beat feel, then “Kill the Disease” is going to be an album favorite. Like cars getting a green light in a road race, this track kicks right up to 5th gear, only slowing down to crush your soul in the chorus. Don’t get too tired though, the breakdown in the second half will make you want to move even harder before a reprise of the main riff buries you.

I cannot state in words just how happy I am that we got another Fuming Mouth album with Mark. Cancer is something that impacts all of us either directly or by hitting someone we love. 

With that said, the collection of music known as Last Day of Sun is certainly going to be considered one of the heaviest hitting death metal/hardcore albums to drop this year given the history leading up to its release. 

I may have had the distinct privilege of watching this band grow into what they are now, dropping albums of bangers with a highly respected label, but I am sure if fans were not paying attention yet, then they will after this.

Buy the album here:

https://fumingmouth.bfan.link/ldos.ema

8 / 10

TIM LEDIN