Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Beartooth singer Caleb Shomo came out of the closet and declared himself to be “a proudly gay man” amid intense rumours, as per theprp. The melodic metalcore musician made a new announcement about his sexuality on Instagram. With the release of the band’s new single “Free” in February, speculation over Shomo’s sexual preferences reached a fever pitch as he underwent a more androgynous/feminine makeover. Following intense rumours and criticism about his new appearance, Shomo removed his Instagram account and was subjected to a number of homophobic insults. Shomo made a comeback to Instagram earlier this month, but the flurry of pictures he posted did not feature his wife of more than ten years, which fuelled more rumours about his marital status.
There’s been a lot of speculation surrounding my personal life as of late and I feel compelled to set the record straight before it affects those I love any further.
I am a proudly gay man.
This is something I’ve been unpacking and reckoning with in my life for quite some time now. It’s been difficult to navigate the feelings surrounding the subject and figure out what to do with this fact.
When it comes to my art / Beartooth, I have always strived to chase who I am in the deepest part of my soul from album to album. As you could gather if you’ve followed the band at all in the earlier years, there are 4 very self deprecating albums about exploring my religious upbringing, depression, self hatred, self loathing, and hopelessness. I am grateful for all these albums, yet feel embarrassed at times that I wouldn’t allow myself to really dig up the roots for so long.
I spent a decade burying feelings with alcohol, and honestly when I decided to put it down and focus on exploring why I felt this way for so long, it’s been a direct path to me reconciling with my sexuality in hopes that it will eventually lead to me experiencing self love. One thing I decided before I wrote a single note of the upcoming album is that whatever happens, I will express myself whole heartedly and fully. Wherever it takes me I will follow and I refuse to water any part of it down, from the music, to the lyrical content, and way I portray myself. I will only do what makes me happy at the deepest level and what is the most honest depiction of who I am. I believe it’s impossible to love every part of you when you won’t face every part of you head on. I am trying to finally be proud of who I am and I think this is a massive part of that journey.
To those who have shown me love, empowerment through living life freely and openly in my presence, supporting the queer community, or simply telling me you love me whoever I am, I am forever in your debt and I hope you know what you mean to me.
I encourage anyone who’s struggling with who they are to give yourself grace. Give yourself patience. Be honest with yourself. Do the hard work instead of burying it down as deep as you physically can thinking it will change like I did. Holding these things in only hurt you and those around you.
Love you all, and hopefully this is a step in the right direction to loving myself one day.
–Caleb Shomo
”Pure Ecstasy‘ represents something different. Bigger and more collaborative than any previous Beartooth album, the record finds Shomo stretching himself toward a new level of vulnerability – and for the first time he didn’t do it alone. Early songwriting contributions from Skyler Accord (Issues, Twenty One Pilots, Bilmuri) helped shape early tracks. Meanwhile, working alongside Fish (Bring Me The Horizon, Poppy, Architects) cracked Caleb fully open, pushing a rawer examination than ever before.
The collaborative spirit continued throughout the recording process as well: bassist Oshie Bichar, guitarists Zach Huston and Will Deely, and drummer Connor Denis – who have evolved into a formidable live unit around Shomo — all played larger roles than ever before. ‘Pure Ecstasy‘ also marks the first Beartooth album where Shomo did not perform every instrument himself, with Denis performing drums across the record during sessions at NRG Recording Studios.
For years, Beartooth turned pain into anthems shouted back at the world. ‘Pure Ecstasy‘ captures what happens on the other side of that fight: not perfection or peace, but the possibility of freedom.’
Get your copy of the album by clicking here.
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