Caleb Shomo on the fear behind Beartooth's new album 'Pure Ecstasy'

Caleb Shomo appeared on Loudwire Nights on Tuesday (Sept. 22) to discuss Pure Ecstasy, the recently released sixth studio album from Beartooth. The frontman said putting the record out felt like a weight being lifted and that he has since thrown himself into rehearsals, vocal work and show prep ahead of a heavy touring schedule. The band is currently making its way across Europe.

Shomo also reflected on the band's origins, saying he never expected Beartooth to still be around 15 years later. When he started the project at 19, he didn't even think it would get signed, and he assumed he was stepping away from touring for good to focus on producing full-time. "I'd say the plans may have changed a little bit," he said, adding that he wouldn't trade any of it.

The conversation turned to the making of Pure Ecstasy, which Shomo described as the most tense and most fearful process he has gone through with the band. He said that fear surfaced in some form on every song, and that it took a lot of help to push through and finish the album he felt he needed to make in order to process what was happening in his life.

He pointed to "Free" as the single most important session on the record, saying that writing it gave the project its direction and clarified the point of the whole thing. Shomo admitted the song was frightening to write but said he's proud of both the track and the finished album in hindsight.

The full interview is available on demand through the show's platforms, with new episodes airing weeknights.