Beartooth, Eyes Closed | Song Review

Caleb Shomo backlash aside, Beartooth delivers an enjoyable, spirited single with “Eyes Closed,” the second track from their sixth album, Pure Ecstasy.

Caleb Shomo, the powerful and talented voice and face of Beartooth, said what he said.  2026 has been a turbulent year for him: divorce, coming out, and plenty of backlash and criticism. Based on the reactions I’ve seen online, it seems like Beartooth’s sixth studio album, Pure Ecstasy, has an uphill battle. Still, it’s hard to deny the energy of the single and second track, “Eyes Closed”. “Eyes Closed” was written and produced by Shomo and Jordan Fish.

If nothing else, “Eyes Closed” is a spirited track. The boisterous, distorted, and jagged guitars kick ass and take names. Rock on 🤘! Also, the bass holds it down on the low end, while the drums pummel the absolute shit out of you, ooh-wee! The ‘source of controversy’ himself, Caleb Shomo,  puts on a show, PERIODT!  His voice is powerful, showcasing grit, an impressive upper register, and a commanding performance from start to finish. “Is there anything to say to take me straight to Heaven? / To know I’ve been forgiven?” he asks in the first verse. In the second, he asserts, “‘Cause I’m waiting for a sign, I need it more than ever / Is the wrong mistake gonna last forever?” Despite being rough around the edges, “Eyes Closed” is quite the melodic metal cut. The verses are melodic overall, while the chorus is incredibly tuneful:

“But now I’m dying to live with my eyes closed

Trying to fly with no halo

Maybe I don’t wanna know

If I’m gonna lose it all, I’m gonna lose it all with my eyes closed

Eyes closed.”

Hell yeah! The breakdown section is nasty – malicious to the nth degree! “Oof / Yeah / Can’t be forgiven, but I’ll hold my breath / So close to Heaven, all I see is death.” The dissonance during the breakdown is epic and metal to the core. From my perspective, there is lots to like about “Eyes Closed”; it packs a mean punch. Hopefully, the criticism being laid at Shomo’s feet isn’t because of homophobia, as that’s just not cool.

---

Beartooth » Pure Ecstasy » Beartooth Band, LLC / Fearless Records » 8.28.26 [📷: Beartooth Band, LLC / Fearless Records]

---