After more than a decade with Red Bull Records, the metalcore band from Ohio opens an entirely new chapter. With the single “Free” and a fresh deal at Fearless Records, frontman Caleb Shomo is setting the course for the future.

Beartooth have been one of the most consistent forces in modern metalcore for years. Over 1.3 billion streams, one platinum single, one gold single, and a number-one album on the Billboard Hard Rock charts speak for themselves. But after 13 years with Red Bull Records, where the band had been signed since their earliest days, that chapter is now closed. Caleb Shomo and his bandmates have signed with Fearless Records and immediately delivered the new single “Free” to mark the occasion.

From a Basement in Ohio to the Arenas of North America

The story of Beartooth has almost reached mythical status within the metalcore scene. In 2012, Caleb Shomo, still a member of electrocore band Attack Attack! at the time, started recording songs alone in his basement in Columbus, Ohio. He played every instrument himself, wrote, produced, mixed, and mastered everything on his own. What was intended as nothing more than a personal outlet for struggles with depression and self-doubt evolved into one of the most successful projects in modern rock within just a few years.

Since the debut EP “Sick” (2013), the band has released five studio albums: “Disgusting” (2014), “Aggressive” (2016), “Disease” (2018), “Below” (2021), and “The Surface” (2023). The latter marked a commercial peak, debuting at number one on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart and spawning two consecutive number-one singles on Active Rock radio: “Might Love Myself” and “I Was Alive.” In July 2025, the live album “I Was A… LIVE” followed, documenting the band’s first headline arena show at the sold-out Schottenstein Center in Columbus.

Red Bull Records: End of an Era

Red Bull Records served as Beartooth’s musical home throughout the band’s entire career up to this point. The label, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Los Angeles, which also houses AWOLNATION among others, accompanied Beartooth from underground act to internationally successful rock act. Closing this chapter is a significant move, as the band’s entire discography was released exclusively through Red Bull Records.

Shomo has kept quiet about the specific reasons for the switch, but his words about the new label hint at what he was looking for: more creative support and empowerment as an artist. Fearless Records, founded in 1994 and now part of the Concord Music Group, is no stranger to the scene. Established names like Pierce The Veil, I Prevail, Ice Nine Kills, The Pretty Reckless, Wage War, and August Burns Red populate the roster. Beartooth now join a portfolio that ranks among the most powerful in modern rock and metalcore.

Fearless president Andy Serrao commented on the signing by saying that the label had been following the band’s development as fans for years and was now proud to walk this path together.

“Free”: Jordan Fish at the Controls

The single “Free,” released on February 27, 2026, is not only the launchpad for the partnership with Fearless Records but also the band’s first new music since “The Surface” (2023), setting aside the Tom Morello collaboration.

Particularly noteworthy: Jordan Fish was involved in the production. The British keyboardist, songwriter, and producer was a core member of Bring Me The Horizon for over eleven years, shaping their sound on albums like “Sempiternal,” “That’s the Spirit,” and “Amo.” Since his departure from BMTH at the end of 2023, Fish has established himself as one of the most sought-after producers in the scene. His work with Architects (the album “The Sky, The Earth & All Between”), Poppy, Machine Head, and various other projects has cemented his reputation as something of a super-producer in modern metal and rock.

The collaboration between Shomo and Fish had been teased as early as November 2025, when Shomo shared an Instagram story photo of Fish in the studio, captioning it “new Beartooth nutso.” The result speaks for itself: “Free” combines Beartooth’s proven blend of crushing metalcore and catchy melodies with atmospheric elements that bear Fish’s signature. The accompanying music video was directed by Megan Gamez.

Thematically, the song marks a turning point according to Shomo. While earlier albums documented the battle with inner demons and mere survival, “Free” represents a moment of clarity amid the chaos. The frontman describes the upcoming album as likely the most honest depiction of his soul he will ever create.

Tom Morello, Final Fantasy, and the Road Here

Before “Free” dropped, Beartooth had already made waves well beyond the typical metalcore bubble in late 2025. In December, Caleb Shomo and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello jointly released the song “Everything Burns” for the video game Final Fantasy XIV. The track, produced by Tyler Smyth, was created under immense time pressure within roughly 36 hours and served as the boss theme for one of the final raids in the game. Simultaneously, the song functions as a single from Morello’s upcoming solo album.

This collaboration brought Beartooth into contact with an audience that extends far beyond the typical rock and metal community. Millions of Final Fantasy players worldwide were introduced to Caleb Shomo’s voice and songwriting, a shrewd move in terms of reach.

On Tour with Bad Omens

Coinciding with the release of “Free,” Beartooth are currently on a North American arena tour as direct support for Bad Omens. The tour kicked off on February 22 in Salt Lake City and runs through late March, hitting cities including Detroit, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Nashville, San Antonio, Los Angeles, and Oakland. Beartooth performed “Free” live at the tour opener, even before its official release.

The fact that Beartooth are now filling arenas as support and, according to industry observers, are on the verge of becoming a permanent arena headliner themselves, illustrates the trajectory of recent years. From basement recordings to arena rock in just over a decade is something only a few achieve.

Outlook: New Album on the Horizon

Shomo has made it clear that “Free” is just the beginning. A new studio album, the sixth in the discography, is in the works. How much of it was created with Jordan Fish and when to expect a release remains to be seen. What is certain: with a new label behind them, one of the scene’s hottest producers at the mixing desk, and a live presence that continues to grow, the signs for Beartooth’s next chapter are more than promising.

Whether the move from Red Bull Records to Fearless will deliver the hoped-for boost remains to be seen. The early signals suggest that Caleb Shomo knows exactly what he wants, and that he is ready to take his band to the next level.