SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BEARTOOTH – THE SURFACE

BEARTOOTH
THE SURFACE
RED BULL RECORDS

Beartooth is known for their dark songs about depression and self-loathing. But a new chapter has opened in Beartooth’s story. Their upcoming fifth album, The Surface, is the story of frontman and songwriter Caleb Shomo’s new life he’s chosen.

Beartooth’s last album, 2021’s Below, was one of their heavier albums, and feels like it may be a sort of “rock bottom” for Shomo. The Surface maintains the same hard-hitting, heavy sound that Beartooth is known for, but delivers a little different message this time lyrically. It sounds like coming up for air so to speak, as if Shomo has found his way from the darkness up to the surface.

The lead single “Riptide” was the first song written for the album. It’s got the classic Beartooth sound, complete with the great breakdown, and a sign of things to come with this release. The closing track is a less heavy song with softer verses and a little harder chorus with great lyrics but an all-around older rock feel to it. There’s a big shift here, there’s even an unexpected first-time feature with country music songwriter HARDY on “The Better Me”, which they nailed, and it’s obvious that Shomo is in a better place with his mental health than the previous four albums that span over a decade.

The Surface still has the heavy guitar riffs and licks, and Shomo’s roaring vocals, but lyrically shows incredible strides on his journey to find a better version of himself.

SPILL FEATURE: THE PURSUIT OF MENTAL HEALTH, SELF LOVE AND SOBRIETY – A CONVERSATION WITH CALEB SHOMO OF BEARTOOTH

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