Looking back, it has been a decade since Red Bull Records signed up the band Beartooth. Originally named Noise, and the vision of former Attack! Attack! Keyboardist Caleb Shomo, Beartooth has built on their own success over the years. First releasing their debut Sick EP in 2013, where Shomo actually played every instrument himself, but as time went by the project acquired members.
With Shomo as lead vocals, soon joining was Oshie Bichar (bass/ backing vocals), before Connor Denis (drums), Zach Huston (lead guitar/backing vocals), and most recently Will Deely (rhythm guitar/backing vocals). This all considered, Beartooth has made a home for themselves not only in the Modern Metal world, but also on the Hardcore Punk scene. Doing this over the course of four full-length records over the last ten years, in 2023, they return with number five, and it is called The Surface.
A follow up to 2021’s Below. The Surface arrived on October 13th through Red Bull Records. Produced by Shomo himself, the album was preceded by three singles – 2022’s “Riptide,” followed by “Sunshine!” in the spring of 2023, and “Might Love Myself” in the summer. Looking to build off the success of Below, in less than a month since being released, The Surface has hit number 1 on US Hard Rock Album Charts. Not bad, right? So, what can fans expect from the new music?
Well, if you have been following them over the years you would realize much of Shomo’s lyrics are dark, moody, and quite intense. That in mind, The Surface actually is considerably more of an uplifting lighter take on life rather than past Beartooth material. Interesting to hear, they diversify even more, collaborating with Country music singer HARDY for the track “Better Me.” Pushing the envelope a bit, bringing it all together is Shomo’s intriguing voice; which can be heard both clean and dirty throughout most of the album. However, tracks like the aforementioned single “Might Love Myself” as well as “Look The Other Way” take a bit of a softer tone if you will. Looking at these two cuts, “Might Love Myself” offers a brighter outlook and deals with self-love; as Shomo has been very open with his own journey through sobriety and such ideas. Then “Look The Other Way” takes a heavier heartfelt tone with the lyrics seeming to relate to his days of addiction.
Continuing to address other bold points here, “The Better Me” definitely brings a Country twang, but still while possessing a heavy melodic tone Beartooth is known for. After this, songs like “Doubt Me” and “What’s Killing You ” take you back to Beartooth’s earlier days with Shomo’s screams spread throughout. Quite raw, these pieces also include a lot of catchy choruses and really thrashy sounding guitars. Considering all of this, the title-track is really what sets the album up for a different overall vibe; with the guitar tones as heavy as ever.
Now very much veterans in the Metal world, Beartooth have shown they are not done yet and have many more years to come. Experimental and well written, The Surface keeps you intrigued while pulling a few heart strings, and that is why Cryptic Rock gives it 5 out of 5.
){kind=link}
No comment