Beartooth have shared their euphoric new single ‘Free’, while frontman Caleb Shomo has deleted his Instagram after reportedly receiving homophobic comments.
The track arrives as their first new music since 2023, as well as their first since signing to Fearless Records. It also marks the first taste of their upcoming album, of which the release date and title are yet to be announced.
Built upon a high-octane, heavy guitar riff, the song sees frontman Caleb Shomo celebrate his freedom, singing: “Running to the light so you can see/Every single fucked up of piece of me.”
Speaking about ‘Free’, Shomo explained it’s “the start of the next chapter of my music and my life.”
He continued: “The emotional roller coaster that is living can be very complicated at times. In one day, you can equally experience pure fear and pure joy.
“This song shows a glimpse of what is to come from the next Beartooth album, which is the most honest depiction of my soul I will most likely ever make.” Check it out below.
Since the music video’s release, however, fans have noticed that Shomo has deleted his personal Instagram account, with some speculating it may be due to a slew of homophobic comments.
Per metal music publication PRP, the singer was met with hateful comments after debuting a new look in the video, where he sports a bejewelled choker and crop top, as well as eye makeup.
One such comment came from Attila’s Chris Fronzak, who wrote that the singer had “dropped the s from his name”, before saying that the music industry is “brainwashed beyond belief” and alleging that artists are told they “wouldn’t get big because they don’t have a trans person or female in the band.”
Fronzak has since apologised, saying he meant the remark “as a joke”, adding: “but it didn’t come across that way. I don’t know what he’s going through at the moment, but I wish him the best. The world has too much hate rn & I don’t want to add any fuel to that fire… You never know what someone is going through. Therefore, I am sorry, and I will work towards thinking about things deeper before I just word-vomit shit into this bird app. Love yall,” per the Mosh.
Speaking about joining Fearless Records, Shomo said the label had “empowered me as an artist like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
“They all truly love what they do, and it shows in the work,” he added. “They go about their business with humility and a hunger for joy. At the end of the day, they care about the music and supporting the people involved. Their ability to spread that support to artists and listeners alike is truly beautiful, and I couldn’t be more proud to sign a deal with Fearless.”
Beartooth’s last album was 2023’s ‘The Surface’. At the time, he spoke to NME about the album and described the release as “the most intimate experience that I have with music”.
“I just want it to be completely different than anything else I’ve done before,” he said at the time.
In other news, last year Shomo teamed up with Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello for the politically charged Final Fantasy 14 anthem ‘Everything Burns’.