Beartooth’s Caleb Shomo on ‘Pure Ecstasy’ and Finding Inner Strength

Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo has spoken to NME about the band’s new album ‘Pure Ecstasy’, feeling more comfortable in his own skin and finding the “inner strength” to choose the path of joy after coming out. As the band prepares to share their sixth studio album—their first release with Fearless Records—the record stands as a testament to personal evolution, featuring production and co-writing contributions from former Bring Me The Horizon member Jordan Fish.

A New Sonic Direction

Since forming Beartooth in 2012, Shomo has been known for blending menacing post-hardcore riffs with stadium-sized choruses. While previous records like Below and The Surface documented his struggles with mental health and a cautious move toward self-love, Pure Ecstasy pushes the band further into pop-metal territory. Shomo notes that his recent influences range from soul legends like Al Green and Aretha Franklin to the thrash metal intensity of Metallica.

“The first Beartooth stuff was a lot more influenced by hardcore bands, whereas I’ve been really into metal recently,” Shomo explains. “Then of course, I love pop. You start with the darkest, heaviest song on the record, sonically, and then you end with the poppiest, brightest song. It’s that ultimate separation of emotions, with no middle ground, that I was trying to convey.”

Coming Out and Finding Peace

The album’s release follows a period of significant personal change for Shomo, who publicly came out as a gay man earlier this year. After facing homophobic backlash online, he chose to address the speculation directly. “I hit this point in my life where I realised, ‘This is probably going to get out into the world, one way or another,’ and I wanted to get ahead of it,” he says. “I want to be who I am and not have to worry about it, and I felt it was probably gonna give me a little bit of peace of mind to rip off that band-aid.”

Working with Jordan Fish proved instrumental during this transition. “He reminded me what Beartooth really is, from more of a fan’s perspective, objectively,” Shomo adds. “Jordan really helped me feel less afraid of talking about what I’m going through.”

Looking Toward the Future

When asked what he would say to his younger self, Shomo emphasizes patience and resilience. “I’ve learned over and over in this life that time is the only thing that can heal. Be patient. Give yourself time, grace and stay on the path. The only way out is through.”

Ultimately, Pure Ecstasy is a manifestation of the joy Shomo has fought to reclaim. “Which side am I going to give the ultimate power? ‘I am a complete mess and my life is exploding,’ or the fact that I’m finally dealing with things I’ve somehow found the inner strength to deal with—and the joy that’s given me? That was the choice I made.”