Beartooth: Pure Ecstasy - Stepping Outside Yourself to Better Find Yourself
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
Friday, August 28, 2026. A date that the Earama team (and I) had been eagerly awaiting to discover Beartooth’s new album: Pure Ecstasy.
Filled with deep meaning and marked by a notable evolution, this album will surprise many and lays the groundwork for a new, more fulfilled Beartooth and a new Caleb Shomo who is more open to collaboration.
“Ecstasy,” certainly, but not merely in the sense of a feeling of fulfillment. Here, we go back to the very etymology of the word, where “ekstasis,” in its literal sense, becomes the expression of one’s mind, soul, or consciousness pushed out of its usual state - which can perhaps be interpreted here as the comfort zone. This is precisely the experience of the album itself, from the perspective of both its creator and its listener.
And Caleb Shomo took the plunge headfirst out of that comfort zone, combining a new studio experience with the full band lineup with collaborations that have taken the group to new heights. Among them is Skyler Accord (Twenty One Pilots, Bilmuri…) as co-lyricist, and the very popular Jordan Fish, who added his touch to the production - an area where the frontman usually held the reins. And I’d say that what makes this in-demand producer so strong today is his ability to adapt to the band he’s working with, adding a modern, recognizable -yet always unique- electronic touch.
And while these collaborations have given the album a different dimension, Caleb Shomo has emerged from the process stronger than ever. Conceived as much as an auditory journey for the listener as an outlet for the artist, the 11 tracks are best enjoyed from start to finish for the full experience.
It begins with the deepest sense of unease, the inner struggle, and moves through the various stages of regaining confidence and asserting oneself: the fear of judgment, the breaking point, rebirth, the hope for a better future, the feeling of freedom that seems so close and yet so far away, the decision made, and the doubts and pain that accompany it… Until a conclusion that unfolds as a blend of shades of gray, where the desire to pull through and one day say to oneself, “I made it,” is present, while also understanding that it won’t be easy.
The album thus concludes with “I guess loving myself could never be true,” directly echoing the track Might Love Myself from the previous LP, reflecting the need for freedom to come within reach of that ideal. Thoughtful lyrics and polished riffs - we expected nothing less!
Throughout the album, the tracks respond to one another ; whether it’s an electric guitar used like an acoustic one to create a more intimate moment, thus linking the title track to Free, or the mention of a “halo” that connects this second track to Eyes Closed. There are also several allusions to religion -whether through imagery or symbols like the cross on the album cover- but these convey more of a sense of judgment and questioning than a genuine connection to it.
Some might say that Caleb Shomo comes across as more vulnerable than ever. Personally, I think this vulnerability has always been an integral part of Beartooth and the singer’s songwriting, as we’ve seen in After All, Skin, or even Sick Of Me, though it was less evident on the previous album.
Pure Ecstasy combines the intensity of Disgusting, the vulnerability of Disease, and the catchy choruses of The Surface. This album is the logical continuation of what Beartooth has offered us so far, while showcasing an evolution that will surprise us again.
That’s why Pure Ecstasy remains a risk-taking album, marked by numerous changes -particularly in the creative process- from which Beartooth emerges stronger and more mature. The production gives each instrument its moment to shine: a harder-rock guitar sound on Lose You To Find Me, a drum solo on Sorry, and a very groovy bass line on the closing track. The only minor “snag” -in my opinion- is the use of Auto-Tune, which doesn’t necessarily add anything to the song, and which Caleb Shomo really doesn’t need, as proven by his much more intense screams and his growl that sometimes borders on the guttural.
Pure Ecstasy leaves nothing to chance. The quintet’s sixth project -but their first on Fearless Records- surely means a lot to the band, and you can feel it in every carefully crafted detail. It’s an album that will undoubtedly break your heart and mend it at the same time with every listen, but it’s also an album that will make you want to scream along to the lyrics at Beartooth’s next tour, which kicks off in just a few weeks, with a stop at the Elysée Montmartre in Paris on October 1st !
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