Self-released on October 1st, 2018 New York's FOAMING AT THE MOUTH has perfected their 2014 demo "Writhing". Formed in 2013 and in no real hurry to rush an album FOAMING AT THE MOUTH put some real time and energy into "Writhing". Not letting a full band line up stop them these guys are true D.I.Y. Loaded with strange transitions and time signature changes there is plenty of technical playing as well thrash metal style riffs and deep low chugs. Bearing the band's namesake "Foaming at the Mouth" delivers a perfect summary of the entire album and what rattles the interior structure.

In similar fashion, the albums title track "Writhing" is anything but straightforward. Twists, turns, and transitions that are both pleasing to the ears as well as impressive to my inner musician. Boasting a sound that is as if they recorded using MORBID ANGEL's gear. Minus one thing. Bass. There is no bass guitar. This doesn't hinder FOAMING AT THE MOUTH. The guitars aren't even tuned down so low they hang like a senior woman's breasts. The guitars are just full enough to fill the void throughout most of the album. The absent bass only being noticeable every now and then.

The vocals are mid-range, audible, possessing a thrash influence with a touch of LAMB OF GOD and on occasion a breathy low guttural growl. With both guys providing vocals it does ad a good touch of diversity. It's not a tag team or trade off vocal style, for the most part, it's treated to add accents with again on occasion the 2nd vocal taking the lead for a moment. By the time I got to the end of "Writhing" and the short-lived track "Fester", I noticed that the album ran only about 30 minutes. In that time, however, it's just enough. If it had continued, it would have been overkill. Don't get me wrong, these guys are good at what they do. The songs just tend to bleed into each other with no real distinction from one another. It's as if FOAMING AT THE MOUTH had a mathematical formula and stuck strictly to it.

"Foaming at the Mouth", "Writhing" and "Fester" being the best foot forward, the other tracks are mere mimics and attempts to follow suit. The drum skills are absolutely amazing. But kind of like a pre-teen blow blowing his load a little too soon, it's expected. The other downside is, with only the 2 guys, can they play live and tour? Their music most fitting for a live event due to the ability to bring out the hardcore metal heads and offering them the most prime opportunity to release all their pent-up rage and aggression.