Caleb Shomo Takes Beartooth in a New Direction?

The new album Disease, released on September 28th, written and recorded by frontman Caleb Shomo is anything but usual for Beartooth. As touched greatly in their previous albums Sick, Aggressive, and Disgusting, depression is a very prevalent part to Shomo's mind. Each album lets you into the world of Shomo from the perspective of someone who should be considered 'happy,' but is still struggling to cope.When you break down the lyrics past the heavy sound, it is truly something incredible that deserves so much more recognition.

In the "Greatness or Death"series uploaded to the band's YouTube recently. Shomo talks about how he put his entire being into this project. He uses his music as an outlet to release the pent up frustrations of the voices inside his head.

The recording process for Beartooth is a bit different than typical bands. Everything that you hear when listening to a Beartooth record is all written and performed by Caleb himself. The agreement between his bandmates was that he was to write and record; they would tour and perform under the Beartooth name.

Knowing that he has expressed in these song what the voices in his head 'scream at him' as he puts it, really gives you a perspective that mental illness is not something that just goes away. It all comes down the the process of your mind and its computations. Unfortunately and fortunately, this is what makes 'Shomo' Shomo. I believe that Beartooth would not be what they are without it, as sad as that may sound.

The songs range from heavy rock with "Bad Listener" or "Infection" to something a bit softer such as "Believe" or "After All." It is something different than the band has done in the past, but it is still an amazing project nonetheless. As someone who isn't into the screams scene, I heavily support this band and especially this latest album.

He gets especially personal on the last track "Clever" as he takes on his demons head on. He talks about how he uses metaphors and creates a wall in order to make himself believe that he's ok. He later adds that the scenes in his head has no cure and his existence only benefits the people around him rather than himself. It is extremely vulnerable of him open himself up in this way that I feel is still relatable to others going through the same things as him.

Their music let's you, the listener, know that you are not alone in any of this, and that it is manageable. You don't have to continue to live your life in suffering, help is out there and you have to speak up about illness; you cannot let it continue to eat you from the inside out, you won't make it that way.

If you haven't, give the new album Disease a listen on any platform and check Beartooth on tour at a city near you on their Disease tour with Knocked Loose and Sylar. Also, make sure to watch the "Greatness or Death: The Making of Disease" on the Beartooth band YouTube channel.