When Spiritbox announced ‘Tsunami Sea’, there was an anticipated hush across the music industry. Their debut ‘Eternal Blue’ was received to cries of adoration from fans and critics alike, with claims that the band was one to watch out for. It can be hard to live up to such hype, but they’ve done so with grace; the band have been nominated twice for a Grammy, which alone speaks volumes to their talent; toured with huge names like Coheed and Cambria, Underoath, and Korn to name a few; sold out numerous headline shows (such as their recent performance at London’s 10,000 capacity Alexandra Palace); and collaborated with Megan Thee Stallion.
All the work Spiritbox has undertaken in the past four years since ‘Eternal Blue’ has been poured into their newest offering. ‘Fata Morgana’ opens proceedings with beautiful, choppy guitar-work and pummelling drum work. It’s ethereal and haunting, a perfect soundscape for Courtney LaPlante to demand and command the listener’s attention right from the start. If this is a sign of things to come for the rest of the album… then it’s time to buckle the fuck up.
‘Black Rainbow’ pulses with frantic energy; it’s relentless in its delivery, overflowing with pure power. The riffs are crisp, and the electronic undertones allow Spiritbox to confidently show that they refuse to churn out the same songs over and over. In a similar vein, ‘A Haven With Two Faces’ is another stellar example of the power LaPlante commands with her voice – her solid screams work perfectly with her clean vocals.
Singles ‘Soft Spine’ and ‘Perfect Soul’ need no introduction. The former is still as visceral as the day it was released – it’s aggressive and packs a powerful punch, whilst the latter demonstrates how wide and varied LaPlante’s vocal range can be. ‘No Loss No Love’ was the final glimpse Spiritbox offered fans before ‘Tsunami Sea’s release. The isolation that LaPlante displays during her brief spoken-word passages is a delight, especially when they segue into bone-crushing riffs.
But it’s ‘Keep Sweet’ that will leave listeners slack jawed with it’s poignant lyrics. LaPlante’s vocals are steady, and soar and swell with each guitar lick, each riff, each crushing drumbeat. It’s a stunning track, marrying intense power and poised energy effortlessly, and demonstrates how Spiritbox have constantly evolved and pushed themselves since their debut release ‘Eternal Blue.
And then there’s title track ‘Tsunami Sea’ which is, put simply, devastating. LaPlante’s vocals carry a haunting undertone, marred with something akin to heartbreak, amid Stringer’s clever guitar work. Lines of “You only love the ideation of me” are steeped in melancholy and are staggering; it almost takes your breath away, as it’s such an incredibly raw and powerful line, and one that will surely resonate with most, if not all, who listen to this.
‘Crystal Roses’ is an awe-inspiring display of the hypnotic and entrancing electronica that Spiritbox enjoy flirting with. Stringer’s backing vocals are a brilliant accompaniment to LaPlante’s, adding an incredible depth and layer to this track. There is a chance that some die-hard fans may be put off by what feels like a massive change in the band’s musical direction, but Spiritbox have been playing with these more progressive elements in their newer singles, so it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise.
Colossal is the best way to encapsulate ‘Ride the Wave’. The choruses are tremendous and are awash with pulsating synth elements. Rounding off this momentous release is ‘Deep End’, which one could argue is the closest that Spiritbox have come to a ballad; lyrics of “Would have lived for you / would have died for you / dived in the deep end / I couldn’t see straight” are beautifully passionate and end ‘Tsunami Sea’ on a high.
From start to end, Spiritbox have demonstrated how much their confidence has grown – ‘Tsunami Sea’ is progressive and truly pushes the boundaries of metal. The band are ushering in a new era, one that’s bright and exciting. ‘Tsunami Sea’ is a true work of art; every step Spiritbox take in their journey will be watched with bated breath.
JESS TAGLIANI