Album Review: Pure Ecstasy By Beartooth
Album artwork for Pure Ecstasy by Beartooth
What can only be described as a rebirth of sorts for Caleb Shomo and Beartooth respectively, “Pure Ecstasy” delivers the result that most Beartooth fans would be dying to hear. One such result that has allowed Beartooth to come out kicking and screaming into this new unapologetic, raw, and downright righteous era.
Beartooth comes from Columbus, Ohio and was introduced to the alt-scene in 2012. The band was originally a solo project conceptualised by Caleb Shomo (Vocals). Now, five albums, 1,290 live shows and festival appearances later, the band consists of Caleb Shomo, Oishie Bichar (Bass), Connor Denis (Drums), Zach Huston (Lead Guitar) and Will Deely (Rhythm Guitar).
The title track Pure Ecstasy is the starting pistol for what is about to take over your eardrums for the next 38 minutes. This opener feels more like an acknowledgement of self for Caleb, it doesn't beat around the bush, it doesn't hide from itself but instead it embraces the idea that to accept you for who you truly are is one of the most personal and difficult challenges any person could face. This idea in itself can be stemmed from the very first verse, stating lyrics like “Hell bent repression, I don’t want to believe.” acknowledging that there has been a war of identity and self love within him for so many years. “Begging the reaper, will you set me free?” implies that death would be easier than this internal struggle. Pure Ecstasy then doubles down, quite literally, bringing in what can only be described as one of the most heaviest backdrop beats that Beartooth have ever produced. The song goes on to explore what the whole album is designed to be and that is a catalyst for things to come. It ends with just Caleb singing the last few lines of the chorus with nothing but an acoustic guitar, further giving the impression that this album that we are about to take in is a tale of what he has experienced in the past year or so. Pure Ecstasy is their strongest opener on any Beartooth record to date because of all of this culminating into something so personal and expressionistic.
A few songs later, we are introduced to what can be the anthem of self doubt and hurt in order to become better, Beautiful Again. The song talks once again from Caleb’s perspective focusing on those themes in order to deliver what is one of the strongest songs on the album. The first verse showcases the idea that Caleb is unable to focus on moving on because he can't hide from his own suffering. “How can I hide this suffering, if I can't hide me from myself now?” is just one of many examples of the inner turmoil that Caleb feels he is going through and this trend continues throughout this album. This song is truly a statement and one that Beartooth is not afraid to scream out. This track most fans will find solace in, some kind of familiarity because we have all experienced a time where our suffering forces us to replay every single decision that we have made. Caleb then explores this idea further in the main chorus, “If I write it down and tear it up, tell myself I'm not enough, question every word I’ve ever said … maybe I’ll be beautiful again”. The idea that self reflection is the key to potentially being self loved once again will make you feel like there is a end to any sort of self doubt or pain that you feel. Beautiful Again continues to build upon itself as we enter the bridge, giving the listener a true taste of realisation that when we reach rock bottom, there is no way but up from here on out. Beartooth scream about this effortlessly by stating that “When I can’t pretend, when I hit rock bottom, when I finally reach the better end”. On the surface what seems like a song full of self doubt and destruction, is actually a beautiful song about wanting to be better and wanting it to start sooner rather that later. You will truly feel hopeful and positive when it comes to this track’s end.
Whilst there is no doubt that this is a true Beartooth record with the standard drop D riffs and overall, strong powerful messages, the production and the creation of these tracks is nothing to sit idle on. Jordan Fish has brought in years of experience working with the likes of Bring Me The Horizon and Poppy. This fresh new input into the production of this record has allowed it to breathe and become truly its own. Fans should be excited for Stadiums, You, and I Made It as the tracks to look forward to especially if you have enjoyed any of Jordan Fish’s projects in the past.
I Made It is the final step in this record, providing a stellar conclusion to an album that has documented the past 38 minutes of a journey that Beartooth has gone on. I Made It tells the story of Caleb’s fight against everything that was holding him back and the want for it to end, only to find he has only just started. “Losing all hope, I'm losing my pride” and “Wish I knew setting me free would ruin my life” help this idea, telling us that whilst Caleb is happy to be free, its ruined his life as a result. I Made It is a song that most fans have the potential to relate to, whilst the song itself talks about Caleb’s own fight, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the phrase “I made it” is said when someone accomplishes something. This can be a inner battle much like Caleb felt he was experiencing throughout this album or a loss of a loved one or any sort of trouble that someone could be facing at the moment. In doing so, I Made It has been given the space to breathe on its own and whilst it's very different to most of the songs on “Pure Ecstasy”, it stands out as one of the best finishes to a Beartooth record to date.
There isn't much to dislike when it comes to this album, it's rich, powerful and compelling. Most importantly, it's Beartooth in their most personal and expressional form to date. Beartooth have always been a band that have not been afraid to experiment, there is a true testimony to their history within their record as well as to their future.
Overall, “Pure Ecstasy” has brought a fresh new light to Beartooth's discography whilst still acknowledging what they are known for, which is incredible riffs and powerful vocals that speak to the soul of every fan across the world.
FFO: Bring Me The Horizon, Thornhill, Poppy
SCORE: 8/10
“Pure Ecstasy” by Beartooth is now available on all streaming platforms via Fearless Records
