Below
| Beartooth
Below
Below is the fourth studio album by American hardcore punk band Beartooth. The album was released on June 25, 2021 through Red Bull Records and UNFD. It was produced by Caleb Shomo and Oshie Bichar.-Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
Kerrang!
Proof that Caleb Shomo is one of his generation’s most remarkable songwriters: the deeper he dives, the higher Beartooth climb.
-
Louder
Caleb Shomo turns darkness into catharsis on Beartooth’s most brutal album yet.
-
Distorted Sound Magazine
Below is a true tour de force for BEARTOOTH. While the album isn’t perfect in that one or two tracks are interchangeable, we let it slide. Below drains us of our negativity and leaves us feeling spent in the best possible way. The one thing we lack now is a live arena where we purge ourselves to the sound of madness.
-
Clash Magazine
‘Phantom Pain’ leaves no room to breathe; another undeniable album standout, the instrumentation throughout this track alone is a force to be reckoned with. Across the album, Beartooth wear their hearts on their sleeves as they delve deep. Sturdy yet flaring with anticipation of a colossal drop is concluding track ‘The Last Riff’. Progressively edging you into Beartooth’s staple sound, ‘The Last Riff’ is an incredible guitar heavy interlude that sees ‘Below’ out with a bang.
-
Sonic Perspectives
Despite the self-deprecating lyrics and themes littered throughout the track, I heard nothing but a profound sense of confidence and comfort in Shomo to be able bring about some truly entertaining songs. Beartooth is in its prime, and I deeply hope this stage of the band’s life is kept in a state of constancy.
-
Wall of Sound
It’s safe to say it sounds like Caleb is no longer trying to chase the metalcore sound that made Tooth a household name, instead, he’s venturing into heavy metal/hard rock territory, showcasing a talent that’s just dying to be heard by a vast array of heavy music fans who are yet to discover them. It seriously won’t be long before these guys are playing with the big boys of metal and as a long term fan, I’m so bloody proud!
-
Ignite Music Magazine
“Below” is an amazing, inspired, original record that bleeds pure heart. Experimenting and daring to try new things has paid off for this Ohio-based quintet. Caleb’s perfectionism shows through in this recording. This is the one to take them further up festival cards and into arenas. Beartooth has always been one band on record and another live due to their explosive stage presence. As the stage side of the band gets their hands on these songs, they will likely evolve even further.
-
Medium
I believe this is one of Beartooth’s most powerful albums. Not only is it their heaviest album to date, it is by far one of the most harrowing, honest and relatable albums of the year.
-
New Noise Magazine
On Below, Beartooth sound like they’d fit well anywhere from a festival-size setting to a cramped rock club, as their energy alone seems poised to provide a compelling hook for observers.
-
CaliberTV
‘Below‘ is a solid release and a step in the right direction for the band who has proven they aren’t a one trick pony as many of the band’s detractors would have you believe. ‘Below‘ is an album best listened to with speakers cranked up to 11 and is a cathartic listen for those who can relate to Caleb’s struggles detailed in the lyrics.
-
Heavy Magazine
If you’re not one of those metal elitists who just listens to underground European death/black metal bands, that no one else has ever heard of, or cares for, you’ll probably find something to enjoy in Below. It’s really hard to slot Beartooth into one of the 5 million metal genres that there are these days, but let’s just call them Modern Metal, or just plain old fucking Good Metal!
-
Amnplify
If you a fan of heavy music in any capacity, this album delivers. It is evident just how much thought and care went into creating and curating Below and shows just how much BEARTOOTH has grown and matured.
-
Narc Magazine
Below encapsulates inner turmoil like nothing else, with unrelenting riffs that burst eardrums and vocals that tear straight into your soul. Beartooth don’t offer a cure for anything, but Below might just be the treatment to stem the flow you’re looking for.
-
All Music
Combining those catchy flourishes with the band's trademark heaviness creates a great balance, and Below winds up being one of Beartooth's most enjoyable and immediate releases to date.
-
The Soundboard
Below is as close to standard as it comes, but it’s a lot higher within that than expected, and a return to a variation of the sound that brings back its impassioned white heat is always going to be preferable than a functional but half-hearted recreation. Maybe the window is shut for Beartooth to truly roar back on top again, but making a decent amount of noise elsewhere and succeeding in doing so is still a good alternative to have.
-
Live Metal
“Below” is a superb modern metal record and his greatest achievement yet.
-
Soundfiction
Beartooth are poised yet again to rip off roofs and shatter glass with their own brand of heavy hitting hardcore punk. Below sees the band at their most creative and cohesive, and sets the stage for a whole new level of ballistic yet thoughtful rage and revelry.
-
Dead Press
Building from desolate melodies to lurching breakdowns, ‘The Last Riff’ perfectly ends a record that has not only cemented Beartooth‘s style, but has also elevated the group into a league of their own.
-
Nerve Media
‘Below’ finds Beartooth at both their heaviest and their most polished. Sticking firmly to their strengths, Beartooth demonstrates clearly that they aren’t looking to reinvent the wheel, but instead have painted it a rage fuelled colour. Although I personally, got fed up of the albums repetitiveness around the tracks ‘I Won’t Give It Up’ and ‘The Answer’, fortunately, ‘The Last Riff’ saved ‘Below’ from having a total fizzle out ending. Many will view ‘Below’ as the result of Beartooth not taking any risks and playing it very safe, which is hard to argue against, however, its hard to be mad when the result is a twelve track album full, for the most part, of back to back bangers and arguably Beartooth’s best record to date.
-
Rock Sins
Beartooth are a band that have matured alongside of and in front of their audience. With Below it feels like they have made an album that showcases everything that made them such a great band in the first place, but it also feels like a love letter to their fans and the struggles they have battled and overcome together. It’s a highly potent, powerful and ultimately uplifting album that will leave you wanting to hit the repeat button over and over again.
-
Riff Magazine
Below is a snapshot of a band in mid-stride, and still growing.
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments