Strike up a conversation with anyone about the current top bands in metal, and Spiritbox is sure to be mentioned. Ever since blowing up in 2020, the group has been consistently on the rise with a clear path ahead of them. However, with the release of their second record, Tsunami Sea (Pale Chord Records/Rise Records), that path has become clearer than ever.
The band’s sophomore album is brutal and ruthless, yet ethereal and mesmerizing. For a band only on their second full-length, they have a clear and distinct identity cemented in like no other at that point in time. Without having to rely on trends or nostalgia, Tsunami Sea makes modern Metalcore its bitch in a way that is sure to leave a tremendous influence on up-and-coming bands.
The ominous chugs and screeching harmonics of opener “Fata Morgana” waste no time in convincing any metalhead that this album is worth giving your undivided attention. Courtney LaPlante lets out her harrowing screams that suddenly take a sharp turn into graceful melodies — the combination that the Spiritbox we all know and love has now mastered.
“Black Rainbow” however takes a turn no one saw coming, using robotic vocal effects over nasty low-tuned riffs that could give anyone the metal stank face. Such a daring combination is risky and difficult to pull off, so their flawless execution is proof of their pioneering abilities to push boundaries without having a band identity crisis.
The “A Haven With Two Faces” chorus melody sways back and forth like calm ocean waves, backed by a guitar line that feels like a more polished version of one of their early works, “The Mara Effect, Pt. 3.” The soul-stirring drop into its breakdown is driven by a sustained vocal belt that slowly morphs into a crushing scream, hitting hard like a tidal wave.
Glassy guitar cleans add subtle textures to tracks like “Keep Sweet” and the title track, working alongside Mike Stringer’s thick distorted riffage to capture every heavy and light emotion of the album’s ocean theme. Whether LaPlante is singing angelic melodies or screaming her heart out, her vocals and Stringer’s guitar work together like magic. From ragers like “No Loss, No Love” to slow-burners like “Ride The Wave,” and the peculiar outlier “Crystal Roses”, it is clear as day the two were destined to write music together.
Although still a relatively new band, Spiritbox have quickly become an instant classic in the metal scene. Crafting a sound that is so uniquely their own without steering from the essential ingredients of modern Metalcore isn’t easy, but Tsunami Sea proves that the band are truly naturals at everything they do.
Buy the album here:
https://spiritbox.lnk.to/TsunamiSea
9 / 10
COLLEEN KANOWSKY
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