Band Recommendation of the Week: Spiritbox

Metalcore innovators

In a time when compromise has most commonly been between authenticity and accessibility for metal bands, Spiritbox has wonderfully demonstrated that it's not necessary to compromise one or the other. The Canadian metalcore outfit fronted by the unforgettable Courtney LaPlante is a paradigm-shifting force in contemporary heavy music by bringing crushing brutality together with atmospheric etherealism and making it something truly transcendent.

Formed from the remnants of Iwrestledabearonce by vocalist Courtney LaPlante and guitarist Mike Stringer, Spiritbox was born out of a clear vision for their work that would be too big to stay within their previous endeavor's confines. With the addition of drummer Zev Rose and bassist Josh Gilbert, they've established a sound that evokes bands like Tesseract, Deftones, and Evanescence while creating totally new ground with their incorporation of metalcore, and djent styles.

The band's calculated approach to building a fanbase by way of internet marketing two years before hitting the road has paid dividends in spades beyond their wildest dreams. Their 2021 album "Eternal Blue" debuted at #13 on the Billboard 200, a close-to-record-breaking achievement for a metalcore band. Highlight single "Circle With Me" was a genre-bending song that sees LaPlante's chameleon vocals ride from gorgeous melodicism to agonized screams within the same song.

Eternal Blue

Following the colossal success of "Eternal Blue," Spiritbox further evolved with experimental releases like the 2022 "Rotoscope" EP and 2023's critically acclaimed "The Fear of Fear" EP. The latter featured "Jaded," which earned them their first Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance in the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. They were not satisfied to rest in the success and got a second consecutive Grammy nomination for "Cellar Door" from the same EP, becoming the first to enter a category never before won by a female.

Their highly anticipated sophomore album "Tsunami Sea," on March 7, 2025, is a part exploration of where they come from and also a bold move forward. With longtime producer Dan Braunstein and guitarist Mike Stringer, who co-wrote the album, the 11-song record is the band's most intimate, exposed effort to date. Earlier released singles "Soft Spine" and "Perfect Soul" each most exemplify the band's dynamic potential—the former showcasing bone-shattering power, the latter demonstrating they can build otherworldly textures to pull listeners in like the tide of an oncoming sea.

Unique Recipe

What sets Spiritbox apart from what is currently happening in metal circles is their reluctance to be held by genre expectations. "We want to prove it to ourselves that we can do another album and it's gonna go well," LaPlante explained in interviews regarding their composition process. Their commitment to artistic growth as opposed to commercial recipe has carried over into music that feels progressive and immediately captivating.

Live, Spiritbox are now an entity unto themselves. Their live performances are consistently met with rave reviews, with fans talking about instances where "everything from the expert instrumentation, to the immaculate vocal stylings to the production made this one show I'll never forget." Their "Tsunami Sea North American Tour" next year with support from Loathe, Dying Wish, and others, is one of the most highly-anticipated tour billings of 2025.

From Rap to Metal

They have also been joined by some high-profile collaborations and performances along the way. They have worked on remixes with rapper Megan Thee Stallion, toured with Linkin Park on a string of one-off dates for their reunion world touring, and secured slots at high-prove festivals like Download Festival 2025. These crossover performances speak to Spiritbox's unique ability to transcend strict metal boundaries.

Critics have long been acclaiming their capacity to perform complex music with seeming ease. "Tsunami Sea" reviews praise how "the punishing beauty of Spiritbox's new album will punch a hole in your chest and wrap its aqueous arms around your heart." The album is flawless as it moves from torrential heaviness to poppy harmonics with movement that is both measured and rewarding.

For Spiritbox newcomers, "Tsunami Sea" is the perfect place to get acquainted with their expanding sound universe. The album is a demonstration of their handle on dynamics—when to floor you with pummeling force and when to wrap you in rich atmosphere. Whether it's LaPlante's clean vocals reaching for stratospheric heights, the band's gut-wrenching breakdowns, or their progressive songwriting, something here will catch you and cling on for dear life.

Check here Spiritbox's upcoming concerts and setlist prediction for 2025!