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For more than a decade the versatile musical genious Caleb Shomo has been meticulously working his way towards to top of the heavy music food chain. Between joining Attack Attack! at just 15 years of age, forming his side project Beartooth in 2012 and delving into production and engineering, he remaied in everyone's radar as a name to watch closely. As prolific and consistent as he was, the special spark that makes otherwise great albums into modern icons seemed to be missing. However, everyone who has been following his work knew very well the moment he reaches that excellence was always coming and Beartooth's latest record The Surface is exactly that - an honest and happy Caleb at his absolute best.
To say previous Beartooth are not great is very harsh, even if you only take the envigorating collection of bangers that was Below (2021), but somehow it could have been even better. When you are take key part in setting the bar with generation-defining and genre-shaping gems like Someday Came Suddenly (2008), you are bound to be judged against your own mastery but the wait was definitely worth it. With all expectations and stakes against it, Beartooth's fifth record The Surface is just faultless, seamlessly reaches the energy and stature of those early evergreen crabcore classics, and I am certains the fans, critics and media will be in agreement over its quality and contemporary significance.
We can talk a lot about Beartooth as a side project turned into a full-time hustle, but the reality is that there aren't many bands from that golden generation that remain as strong and consistent today, and even less are as relevant and adaptable. Similarly, there aren't many musicians and composers actively influencing the modern music scene with every project they feature on. Without taking credit away from the rest of the musicians in Beartooth, it is no secret that this was always Shomo's brainchild and to this day he remains their driving engine as a vocalist and frontman, but also as a writer, producer, and engineer, an unstoppable force of nature, deserving of all the praise in the world.
Musically, The Surface is the result of Shomo's metalcore legacy and involvement with electronic music, understanging of modern tastes and genres, his love for pop and country music, as well as his appretiation and talent for good songwriting. In my recent review of Asking Alexandria's last record I talked about the importance of great songs and as opposed to intricate riffs and complex arrangements, and Caleb Shomo easily ranks amongst the likes of Danny Warsnop, Jeremy McKinnon, Spencer Chemberlain, Oli Sykes, with regards to versatility and mastery across writing, production, performing, singing, marketing and just about everything inbetween that will make us remember his name for decades.
Lyrically, The Surface is a continuation of Shomo's battle with clinical depression and suicidal thoughts, a long and turbulent journey that might have started with the hopelessness, denial and internal rage of Disgussting (2014) and Aggressive (2016), but has since developped into a cathartic experience that leads to a happier and better man. This record is as positive as a metal record can get, and I do believe it will help many others the way Caleb got the help and support when he needed them the most. Last but not least, this album could have had just about anyone as a guest feature, but the fact that it is indeed HARDY joining forces on 'The Better Me' is more than significant, musically and symbolically.
Seeing Beartooth evolve into a modern metal powerhouse is fantastic, but seeing Caleb Shomo enjoying life to the fullest is even better. The Surface is an invigorating tale of defeating dark thoughts and embracing the present, but it still has its moments of fury and despair, which makes it engaging and relevant, a celebration and genuine reflection of our daily lives packed with some seriously infectious riffs and hooks that are bound to shake just about every major arena and festival worldwide in the next few years.
Beartooth - 'The Surface'
Country: United States
Released: 13 October 2023
Label: Red Bull Records
Tracklisting:
1. 'The Surface'
2. 'Riptide'
3. 'Doubt Me'
4. 'The Better Me' (ft. Hardy)
5. 'Might Love Myself'
6. 'Sunshine!'
7. 'What's Killing You'
8. 'Look the Other Way'
9. 'What Are You Waiting For'
10. 'My New Reality'
11. 'I Was Alive'
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