Beartooth’s new song ‘Free’ has certainly got people talking in recent weeks, and not necessarily for all of the right reasons.

Frontman Caleb Shomo has spent over a decade turning his inner turmoil into platinum selling records. From the basement-born chaos of Disgusting, Beartooth has functioned as a public exorcism, with Shomo wearing his heart on his sleeve for all of the world to see.

However, the release of “Free” suggests the exorcism might finally be over, and a glimpse of a new chapter following the band’s move to Fearless Records, feels less like a continuation and more like a hard reset for a band that has already conquered the metalcore world and now looks to go well beyond it.

A Hard Reset On ‘Free’

Free is certainly a polished departure from the grit that defined their early career, trading raw jaggedness for a more anthemic, high-gloss energy. Whilst the shift has caused a stir among the metalcore faithful, Shomo remains remarkably indifferent to the noise.

During an interview with Full Metal Jackie on “Whiplash” he clarified his stance:

Truth be told, especially with ‘Free’, I’m really doing this for myself. I’m doing this just so I can really be putting out the most honest art that I can be putting out and be the most true depiction of myself through my art that I can give, because that’s the point of BEARTOOTH. And I really don’t wanna shy away from that.

I’m really actively trying to stay away from hearing any of the critical reception. Obviously, on a broader scale, I see if people are listening to it, I see if people are coming to our shows, so on and so forth. But I think everybody is entitled to their opinion, and there are just inevitably going to be a lot of people that don’t like the way this sounds or maybe don’t like the way I look or the way I’m dancing or what I’m wearing, or whatever that may be.

In the opening verse, Shomo openly admits that he’s “got the whole world in my hands” but has “never felt so alone,” highlighting the isolating nature of success. It showcases that he’s no longer interested in performing a version of himself that only fits a specific metalcore mold.

And overall the lyrical weight of the song centers on the suffocating nature of expectations with lines such as “had me by the neck, so hard to breathe”  and “running to the light so you can see every single fucked up piece of me,” effectively invite the audience to witness his flaws without a filtered lens of a curated recovery.

Beartooth Free Lyrics In Full

The Meaning Behind Beartooth’s Free Lyrics

The meaning of Beartooth’s “Free” is a clear rejection of the “identity prison” that comes with fame and success in public. Shomo makes it clear that he doesn’t want to live for what fans or the industry want. The lesson is simple but true: to be free, you have to be okay with not being liked when you are yourself.

“Free” is the sound of a man who has stopped apologizing for being happy and is now willing to change things on his own terms.

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