I haven’t listened to Beartooth a lot, only a few songs. I got introduced to the band a few years ago and liked what I heard. I need to listen to them more, and what a good opportunity it is to do so while reviewing their latest album.
Beartooth was founded by lead vocalist Caleb Shomo back in 2012 in Columbus, Ohio. Their genres range across metalcore, hard rock and alternative metal. They had a recent EU/UK tour in September and October this year, including playing in London at the O2 Academy Brixton.
The band has changed their lineup a few times over the years. The current lineup is as follows: Caleb Shomo on lead vocals and all studio instruments, Oshie Bichar on bass and backing vocals, Connor Denis on drums and backing vocals, Zach Huston on lead guitar and backing vocals, and Will Deely on rhythm guitar and backing vocals.
Pure Ecstasy is the band’s 6th studio album, released on 28th August 2026 via Fearless Records with 11 tracks. Caleb Shomo produced the album alongside former Bring Me The Horizon member Jordan Fish.
Beartooth released their first single ‘Free’ on 27th February 2026. Title track ‘Pure Ecstasy’ was released on 15th May 2026, followed by ‘Bullshit’ on 19th June 2026, with ‘Eyes Closed’ arriving on 24th July 2026. A music video for ‘Beautiful Again’ was released the same day as the album.
What an album! I am definitely adding this band to my list of bands to continue listening to. This album is centred heavily on Caleb Shomo coming out as gay, which he did publicly earlier in the year. It’s both scary and brave coming out. I understand on a personal level, being bisexual myself. A lot of these tracks are relatable: the struggles and hardships, the braveness and positivity, accepting who you really are, it hit me!
Title track ‘Pure Ecstasy’ sets the mood for the album. Heavy riffs with soulful and powerful vocals. The lyrics “Should I sacrifice my life? Face the truth or live this lie?” highlight the internal war of whether to hide your true self or risk everything and live authentically. Caleb has chosen the risk, and it is brave and inspiring.
‘Beautiful Again’ hits hard! Self-hatred, intense emotions, unhealthy coping mechanisms, showing a desire to feel worthy…it’s very relatable to me personally. The lyrics “Run away from everyone, hurt myself and call it love, maybe I’ll be beautiful again” hit deep. Isolating and hurting, hoping one day to break free from the pain within, the process of healing from emotions isn’t easy.
‘Stadiums’ is a track that shows Caleb using his music career as an escape from personal struggles, which again is another relatable track. I use music to escape from a lot of things. The lyrics “Blowing up changed me, fuck ’em tryna cage me, when the fans going (oh my god), stadiums made me” indicate a shield protecting him yet feeling trapped at the same time. Being a successful musician can have its ups and downs. I also really love the drum beats throughout, especially right at the end of the track, so sick and hard-hitting!
And finally, ‘Made It’ is the last track on the album and ends it perfectly on a high note. Not going to lie, I cried a little bit! This is the most personal and meaningful track on the album for sure. Showing he’s survived his darkest moments and repeating the lyrics “I made it, I made it”, it gives us hope that we can all do this!
This album was truly a journey for Caleb, and you can feel it in all the emotion and energy throughout. Powerful, raw, brave, honest, and full of emotion and importance, this is one album you don’t want to miss out on listening to!
I look forward to seeing what’s next for the band. Will it be another emotional and personal one? Who knows! We will have to wait and find out!
