BEARTOOTH - THE SURFACE
With a fusion of relentless energy, emotionally charged lyrics, and a caustic sound, Beartooth, hailing from Columbus, Ohio, have made a name for themselves as one of the most remarkable forces in modern metalcore. Caleb Shomo's distinctive vocals, ranging from spine-tingling screams to raw, melodic hooks, have become synonymous with the Beartooth sound since their 2014 debut Disgusting.
The band's live performances are an awe-inspiring spectacle, captivating audiences worldwide with their explosive energy and unwavering intensity; Beartooth's stage presence is a testament to their dedication and passion for connecting with their fanbase.
With millions of streams, sold-out tours, and numerous awards under their belt, Beartooth's impact on the metalcore scene cannot be overstated. Their uncompromising attitude, unrelenting talent, and ability to continue to push boundaries, even so with their most recent release, The Surface make them a force to be reckoned with.
The intro track of the album, also the title track, brings listeners straight into the energy that Beartooth has been known for. With strong drums and breakdowns, the song helps to serve as a strong opening for the record that is to come.
‘Riptide’ keeps that same energy and even elevates it. Sharing in hard guitars with smooth melodies, the track builds up until the breakdown halfway through followed again by the chorus and more of a pop-like tune until the last breakdown, bringing the album into ‘Doubt Me’.
Bringing a harder feel than the two previously heard, ‘Doubt Me’ brings the energy up a notch. Touching on being fueled by the doubt of others, this power track can easily become a fight song for those that feel like they’re stuck or feel like they’re crushed under the eye of others around them.
Showing a strong support for oneself, ‘Might Love’ is about finding that someone has gone through a lot and realizing that things can get better. The track brings light to the change in feeling of losing hope to finding the light at the end of the tunnel and going towards it, despite breaking down, for things to get better and become a better person. The pre-chorus “Could it happen to me?” also helps to personify the feeling of being stuck for a while and how finding a solution in loving the person you are rather than being who others want you to be, and being your authentic self, is what can lead to happiness.
The album as a whole can resonate fully to those who can feel themselves falling. It tells stories of being tired, of being stuck, and working to get out. The eleven-track record helps to personify such feelings whilst also touching base on how isolating it can feel to deal with. The strong screams mixed with the melodies provided by Shomo further bring this point to light, using the line “How many times have I said I was gonna be someone?” in the track ‘Better Me’ allows listeners to see the story of rebirth and growth shown within this incredible record.
Niki Davidson
★★★★☆