Album Review | Beartooth "Below" (They have risen from the below. And came back with heavy riffs.)

At a time where bands and artists decide to take artistic liberties with their already existing sound and change it to make it sound even heavier than previous releases, leave it to Beartooth to step up to the plate and create a hellish experience of already existing hardcore riffs and attitude and blend in even heavier elements to create the monstrous "Below"; an album that is already making big moves that fans did not expect it to, but it's oh so worth it.

With an album like "Below" there are so many comparisons that could be made here considering some of the more obvious influences that are filled to the brim on the record but credit for where credit is due the band manage to take elements from what you would typically find on a Beartooth record and manage to spice up the formula by adding elements of decades past to really set this record a part from the pack, and it manages to do it very well. The sounds that Caleb Shomo and company created here are mind blowing, and for fans that have been craving for more heavy Beartooth again then you have come to the right place.

"Below" has a lot going for it, by being consistently heavy throughout the run time and really standing it's ground by creating a massive sound that permeates throughout the record and flows in and out with punishing riffs, groovy and brutal bass grooves, fantastic and manic drumming, and insane vocal performances whether it be the heavenly cleans or brutally heavy highs, mids, or low screams, "Below" has it all and it's all fantastic. The swift transitions from album to album is very noticeable, but the way that the record goes about it and takes it's own path is intriguing, combining said elements with lyrical content standing up and talking down a negative mindset that plagues the minds of so many, it's a concept that's not foreign to the band's music but the way that they go about it this time around really shows a somewhat new and unique perspective.

Musically, this is a much darker record combining elements of their previous sounds of ripping hardcore and melodic-hardcore riffs, with more "pop" friendly hooks that bring in more of a fun and engaging experience, getting the listener hyped up for some sweet rock 'n' roll action; while this record introduces elements of black metal, heavy metal, and sludge metal, adding to the menacing vibe that "Below" portrays, and it all works perfectly.

The album's opener 'Below' perfectly sets the tone for the record beautifully as the record comes in with some pent up aggression and grit, talking down a dark mindset that tries to shut you down as an individual; while blending in the topic of eternity as to feeling permanently stuck in our personal hell.

'Devastation' is a brutal moment that kicks in with some filthy hardcore riffs that will instantly remind fans of earlier works.

'The Past Is Dead' is a fantastic cut, taking a lighter approach to the music while also still taking it's fair share amount of punches.

'Dominate' could quite possibly be the heaviest song that we have seen from the band in a long time, the sure amount of aggression that permeates throughout the track is something that we haven't seen in a while, and that is something that should get fans excited. 

'Phantom Pain' is another moment that brings out all of the aggression in a blaze of punk rock glory. 

'Skin' is a fantastic track that fits in perfectly with the more rock oriented tracks that the band has been known for and it fits in perfectly amongst this pack.

'Hell Of It' kicks in with an arena ready chant track that doesn't let up, leaving a permanent impression of arena rock done right.

And finally, 'The Last Riff' is the perfect closer that caps the record off in a instrumental blaze of glory, giving the record the approval of an epic closer that closes the record off so well.

In closing, 'Below' is an example of an arena ready rock 'n' roll and heavy metal record done right, and it shows off how a band this far into their career can create an experience like no other, and can truly show how they still have enough aggression and angst that makes the record some of the heaviest music that the band have ever created.

Beartooth are masters of their craft and while the more "arena ready" sound may not be for everyone, it just goes to show with enough man power you can make incredibly diverse and heavy music that will stand the test of time. - Samuel Cook

Rating: 4.5/5