Beartooth’s rise to the top of the charts and their domination of the contemporary metal scene hasn’t happened overnight, but in recent years the climb has felt incredibly fast. Caleb Shomo and company found massive success following the release of The Surface a few years ago, and since then they’ve been on a steady upward trajectory – headlining club tours, making major festival appearances, a massive summer trek last year with icons of the genre and currently serving as direct support on Bad Omens’ latest tour. The band recently kicked off their new era with the single “Free,” and in less than a week the track had already broken into the genre’s Top 10.
Shomo has always been a captivating frontman, but the space of a large stage—and his growing passion to connect with the crowd – gives his performance an energy that feels just as electric as it did the first time I saw the band more than six years ago. Beartooth’s set leaned heavily on standout tracks from The Surface, opening with the bold statement of “Might Love Myself” before jumping straight into their early hit “In Between.”
The support from the pit for their set was undeniable, a reminder that the energy of fans in a packed room will always feel more powerful than the anonymous voices online that try to tear artists down. Beartooth have become a force for positivity in a world that often struggles to find it, and they remain just as compelling to watch now as ever.
Despite playing just 11 songs, the set highlighted just how far the band has come since their debut album. The sold-out crowd at CFG Bank Arena was ravenous from start to finish, often singing so loudly that the vocals nearly overpowered the sound system toward the back of the packed venue. Beartooth have never been bigger, and Shomo has never shined brighter as the band’s frontman.
The Surface pushed Beartooth to new heights, both in terms of radio success and artistic impact. Across the album, Shomo explored deeply personal themes that resonated with fans in a big way – and judging by the reaction in Baltimore, those songs continue to connect just as strongly in a live setting.
2026 may have only just begun for Beartooth, but if their sold-out show in Baltimore is any indication, the band’s trajectory is still pointing upward. The next chapter of Beartooth’s live career feels inevitable – and it may be time for them to start stepping into arenas as headliners. Their show is ready for it, and their fans are more than ready to take them there.
