By SoDak
Fuming Mouth’s Beyond the Tomb is a three-song, twelve-inch EP that demands attention. The title track, which opens the record, oscillates between relentless, hard-driving parts and slower, moody sections. Fuming Mouth does not linger too long on any part. A variety of vocal textures are present, making the song dynamic. I find the back-and-forth aspects of “Beyond the Tomb” to be quite captivating. It remains my favorite song on this record. While Fuming Mouth is generally considered a death metal band, I think their sound is broader than just this. In fact, on the title track, I only hear little elements of death metal, sprinkled throughout the song. Instead, during the fast, intense moments, there are exciting burst of hardcore punk rock. The slower moments have wonderful metal flourishes. The second song, “Master of Extremity,” seems more rooted in death metal, with its slow to mid-paced punishing riff, especially at the start of the song. But as the song progresses, Fuming Mouth incorporate other styles, which open up the music and keep it interesting. When the song slows down and guitar notes are held, there are aspects of High on Fire. At times gruff vocals dominate, then switch to vocals, where the words are plainly audible. The drumming is excellent. With each listen, I find the song more interesting. The closing song, “Road to Odessa,” is more straight forward with its slow, grinding tone, with a touch of propulsion, pushing everything forward. The gem in this song is the additional guitar lead that starts around one minute and forty-eighty seconds into the song. Its brief appearance adds some great texture to the song. Beyond the Tomb is a great follow up to Fuming Mouth’s debut full-length record. I am eager to hear where they go on their next release.
