Source: Graham Berry
Beartooth aren’t your usual metalcore band. In fact they’re not your usual band in general, and this is probably why they’re already playing venues the size of London’s Shepherds Bush Empire and Birmingham’s Asylum after only having released two albums. Caleb Shomo and co take everything you thought you knew about music and throw it out of the window, ripping the rule book to shreds. A supremely talented front man, sometimes you just listen to Caleb and it sounds like he is channeling two completely separate people.
Their latest album, Aggressive, might have been more of a grower than their debut, but as ever where the band’s true power is is in their live shows. Not only have Beartooth breathed a new air of life into the metalcore scene, but they’ve become a force to be reckoned with during their live performances.
Source: Graham Berry
Caleb demands crowd surfers, singalongs and circle pits and his demands are met without question. Hardly a surprise when they have huge tracks like ‘In Between’ and ‘Bodybag’ behind them to encourage movement. The newer material comes alive in this setting and sounds stronger, heavier and more thought out. ‘Burnout’ might be a surprising, yet welcome opener but ‘Hated’ and ‘Aggressive’ are as big live as any of their older material. Their entire set is polished and sounds well rehearsed, but they still show their rawness and bared teeth as they battle through their set. ‘The Aggressive Tour’ is just that, with anger and passion shining through, from both band and crowd.
The number of fans who go whizzing over the barrier and the sheer scale of the pits on this Sunday evening, are testament to the fact that Beartooth are a band who know how to connect with their fans, who are buckled in and ready for the ride of their lives. The singalongs to ‘In Between’ sound incredible in this venue, if a little deafening.
It’s easy to see after shows like tonight why Beartooth are constantly featured in top band lists and lauded for their live shows because they take to the stage like a steamroller. Nothing is safe.
