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At this point, I doubt there is anyone left who hasn't heard of Spiritbox and there is not much left to be said about their sensational rise to fame. At the beginning of 2020, not many people would have recognised their name outside a fairly niche part of the metal underground, and yet two years later, the mass media cannot stop glorifying the Canadian newcomers that literally took the world by storm. Widely labelled as the "hottest band on the planet" right now, loved for their fresh take on alternative metalcore and for their charismatic personalities, Spiritbox truly are on top of their game with aa official debut LP bearing all the markings of a timeless modern metal classic.
Long story short, Spiritbox are absolutely awesome, and produced one of the most complete metal albums in many years. If you break it down to the basics, their music might not be groundbreaking, but it is somewhat unique and immediately recognisable, amazingly catchy and hauntingly beautiful. Where one might not describe it genre-defining, it tells the story of a few extremely talented people releasing the right music at the right time and in the right way. This rare planetary alignment played a huge part in placing Spiritbox in the center of our music universe, all starting with the overnight sensation 'Holly Roller'.
Originally planned for a 2020 release, like many other albums this year, it was delayed and postponed due to the global pandemic. Instead of a full premiere, Spiritbox dropped the single 'Holy Roller' last July and the metal world exploded. Had it been another choice of a lead single, or a different time, this could have easily been just "a great release" and nothing more. However, with the world shattered in chaos, and people isolated at home and torn between anger and loneliness on one hand, and all the free time on the other, the track immediately became an online sensation with its primal force.
As reaction channels were also getting increasingly popular for the same reasons, youtubers picked it up in a mad rush of reviews that dominated our feeds for weeks. Noone could have predicted the waves that track sent across the scene, and in the space of few months Spiritbox turned that momentum into a full-scale tsunami, setting the stage for one of the most thunderous debuts in decades. And at the core of the band's success was the charmismatic personalities of Courtney LaPlante (vocals) and Mike Stringer (guitar), a rare but powerful match made in heaven, backed by the exremely talanted Bill Crook (bass) and Zev Rose (drums), who has recently been introduced as a full-time member of the band.
Constantly fuelled by their synergy, Spiritbox immediately established themselves as extremely down to earth, honest and positive people. We just couldn't help but feel attached to them, pulled by a gravitational force typically reserved for celebrities, that has been missing in metal music for a while. With people moving their whole lives online during lockdown, Spiritbox effortlessly built a loyal fan base that became their hidden weapon. Active, sociable, responsive and approachable across all networks, the band completely shattered the stereotypical branding of most extreme bands and it paid off instantly.
All its musical qualities aside, Eternal Blue's success is largely the product of masterful promotion and branding, and a series of smart decisions and fortunate events. Courtney and Mike used to perform in Iwrestleabearonce, and actually formed Spiritbox five years ago, building their new project patiently and metodically, and releasing original EPs through their own label Pale Chord Records. In other word, we are talking about professional musicians with clear understanding of how the metal world works.
Add in a subsequent deal with Rise Records, a clever selection of all promotional singles, few brilliant one-take vocal performances on YouTube, the hype that was becoming uncontrollable by this Summer, and all that was left is for Eternal Blue to drop and blow us away (and it did!). In all of its 43 minutes of pure modern metal glory, there isn't a single moment of hesitation or weakness. It is raw, fresh and driven from start to finish, and emotionally it hits just as hard in its furious extremes as in all of the melodic and intimate moments of peace and reflection. Oh, and it features the one and only Sam Carter!
The opposites rarely blend so naturally, driven by Mike's masterful compositions and further accentuated by Courtney's phenomenal vocal range and tone. From the thunderous 'Holly Roller', 'Yellowjacket', 'Hurt You' and 'Silk in the Strings' all the way to the beautiful 'Constance', 'Secret Garden', 'Eternal Blue' and 'The Summit', the entire record flows naturally from one masterpiece to another. Backed by a clever use of electronics and subtle alternative influences, Eternal Blue is a journey across imaginative soundscapes, heavenly arrangements and brutal instrumentation that is destined to be remembered forever.
In just over a year, Spiritbox became a (metal) household name and delivered a fanstastic debut that stands strong and proud against the huge expectations. While it might be considered an overnight success, Eternal Blue is the product of many years of hard work and dedication, fuelled by the music and marketing prowess of few people that simply made the right decisions at the right time.
It is a case study of what a metal band could and should be in 2021 and while the album will inevitably mark a key moment in the genre, the real test lies ahead. Where Spiritbox go from here could easily define a whole decade of metal music if only they keep on playing their cards right. I expect they will flirt with a more radio-friendly and commercially viable sound and if there is one band that could pull this off and influence many others while remaining true to their core, it is Spiritbox.
Spiritbox - Eternal Blue
Country: Canada
Released: 17 Sep 2021
Label: Rise Records
Tracklisting:
1. "Sun Killer"
2. "Hurt You"
3. "Yellowjacket" (featuring Sam Carter)
4. "The Summit"
5. "Secret Garden"
6. "Silk in the Strings"
7. "Holy Roller"
8. "Eternal Blue"
9. "We Live in a Strange World"
10. "Halcyon"
11. "Circle With Me"
12. "Constance"
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