Remember that crabcore band Attack Attack! ? Yeah you know the ones I mean. It’s almost impossible not to start this review by mentioning that Beartooth frontman, Caleb Shomo once fronted them but that’s where any comparisons or preconceptions need to pretty much end. ‘Disgusting’ is an absolutely blistering record that deserves your time.
Kicking things off with ‘The Lines’ you’re met with an awesome clean/heavy vocal mix from Shomo that is melodic as much as it is intense, while ‘Beaten In Lips’ contains an incredibly catchy chorus that is almost Billy Talent-esque in style.
‘Disgusting’ was conceived entirely by Shomo, he recorded the instruments and vocals himself, yeah, he has a live band to back him up but looking past that it’s really difficult not to admire the creativity and effort that has gone into this record. The album never really loses any sense of pace… ‘In Between’ has an intro that demands your attention immediately and backs itself up with another brilliant chorus, while album closers ‘Dead’ and ‘Sick and Disgusting’ pick up the intensity an extra notch by delivery a gut busting ending that leaves the listener want more, especially with the latter which provides the closing track the album needs… even if the wailing towards the end of track does perch delicately between cringe-worthy and truly effective.
You can expect to hear a lot more Beartooth over the coming months, ‘Disgusting’ is a brilliantly solid debut that will generate momentum and I for one am really excited to see what the bands live show is like. Check this out!
CHRIS MARSHMAN