Beartooth aren’t easing into their next era quietly, according to frontman Caleb Shomo, the band’s next album is officially done, and it’s shaping up to be a full spectrum release that leans into both their heaviest instincts and their more melodic edge.
The update lands as Beartooth continue rolling out new material, including February’s divisive single ‘Free’, which signalled a shift in tone and a fresh chapter under Fearless Records.
‘I’m doing this for myself’
Shomo isn’t pretending the reaction to ‘Free’ hasn’t been mixed, he just isn’t letting it steer the ship (via Blabbermouth):
“Yeah, to be completely honest, that’s totally up to them and that’s their choice. I don’t make this art solely to be gaining fans and solely [for] monetary success and critical success and all those things. Truth be told, especially with ‘Free’, I’m really doing this for myself. I’m doing this just so I can really be putting out the most honest art that I can be putting out and be the most true depiction of myself through my art that I can give, because that’s the point of BEARTOOTH. And I really don’t wanna shy away from that.
“For me, I, at least currently, am really trying not to focus at all and I’m really actively trying to stay away from hearing any of the critical reception,” he continued.
“Obviously, on a broader scale, I see if people are listening to it, I see if people are coming to our shows, so on and so forth. But I think everybody is entitled to their opinion, and there are just inevitably going to be a lot of people that don’t like the way this sounds or maybe don’t like the way I look or the way I’m dancing or what I’m wearing, or whatever that may be. And again, that’s up to them. And all I’m trying to do is just be as honest as I can and enjoy this very, very amazing gift that I have of being able to be in a band and that be my job, and make the art that I wanna make. I understand how rare it is. I understand how blessed I am to be able to do this, so I just wanna make the most of it. And I know if I kind of get wrapped up in how people are reacting or get wrapped up in the people who don’t resonate with it, then maybe I’ll lose sight of all the people who do resonate with it. And more importantly, I’ll lose sight of the only person who truly resonates with it, and that is me. And I just wanna be happy doing what I’m doing. So, that’s all I’m trying to focus on at the moment.”
New album locked in
Beyond the noise, Shomo confirmed the next Beartooth record is complete and ready for rollout planning:
“I don’t know how much I’m supposed to be talking about this, but I do have a new record done,” he revealed.
“We’re currently in the stages of figuring out how we wanna roll it out to the people and all of the crazy logistics that come along with it. But, yeah, they have provided me with such an amazing space to make this album with just unwavering support. They’ve really had to trust my process because it’s the first time we’ve ever done anything together. And everybody makes art differently, so I really appreciate their patience with me and their understanding and their support. It’s just been amazing. Yeah, musically, it’s been really, really good. And I am so proud of this album. To me, it’s just simply the best BEARTOOTH album I could make. There’s a lot of heavy stuff, there’s a lot of the choruses, there’s a lot of the pop, there’s a lot of the screaming there. There’s all the things that I love when it comes to writing BEARTOOTH songs, and they provided a great avenue for that.”
Beartooth ‘Free’
A band still evolving
More than a decade in, Beartooth have built a catalogue that thrives on contrast. From the raw bite of ‘Disgusting’ to the chart topping success of ‘The Surface’, Shomo’s always walked that line between vulnerability and aggression.
The question now isn’t whether fans will agree with the direction, it’s whether they’re willing to follow him into it.
Follow me for more on the Australian and US Music Scene:
RELATED
MORE IN News
