Album Review: Beartooth - ‘Pure Ecstasy’

I had the opportunity to listen to Beartooth's new album, Pure Ecstasy. Before we jump in, I know Caleb Shomo has received a lot of media attention lately, both criticism and support, following his decision to come out and the impact it had on his personal relationships. Whether you agree with his choices or not, I encourage you to give the album a chance and judge the music on its own merits.

That being said, this album falls pretty in line with previous Beartooth releases, while still exploring some new territory. Musically, the album heads in a lot of different directions. I noticed experimentation with samples, backing tracks, and other elements that give the record a slightly different feel. Lyrically, it's clear this album focuses on finding and accepting your identity, making peace with who you are, and processing the impact those decisions have on the people around you. At the same time, it carries the message that you need to do what's best for yourself instead of wearing a mask. Considering what Caleb has been navigating in his personal life, the themes make a lot of sense.

You're probably asking yourself: Is this album heavy?

My answer: parts are!

We still get some pretty sic breakdowns, growls, and a good old-fashioned "oof." In my opinion, the heaviest track is "You." It comes out swinging and finishes with a nice heavy outro. Other songs that immediately caught my attention were "Beautiful Again" and the title track, "Pure Ecstasy."

"Beautiful Again" gives me strong early-2000’s pop-rock vibes. At times it reminded me of Fall Out Boy, especially in some of the guitar work. "Pure Ecstasy" kicks off the album and, in my opinion, is the strongest song on the record. It's heavy while still delivering a catchy hook that'll have you singing along while you're walking around the house.

The album closes on an upbeat note, reflecting Caleb's ability to embrace who he is and move forward. Overall, Pure Ecstasy bounces between pop, rock, and metal influences, though I think the album leans more toward pop-rock than anything else. I found myself liking different pieces of different songs throughout the record. There were plenty of moments where I caught myself thinking, "I like this," while making the classic stank face.

I give this album an 8/10.

I appreciate the ideas Beartooth experimented with here, and I understand why the album feels a little sporadic at times. In fact, the sporadic nature actually complements the themes of the record. There are a few songs that instantly earned a spot in my regular rotation, while some of the others may take a little more time to grow on me. Regardless, I appreciate what this album was trying to express and respect the risks they took in getting that message across.