Album Review: Spiritbox - 'Tsunami Sea'
Some bands are non-stop in the metal scene. As trends and sounds come and go, the best either move with the times or risk losing their popularity and their momentum - this was never a worry for Canadian act Spiritbox, however. Throughout the 2020s thus far, this four-piece has been leading the scene as they release single after single, EP after EP. Building up to the successful debut record Eternal Blue, the group took their time to work freely and fulfillingly on what they would deem to be a faithful follow-up. Enter Tsunami Sea.
The pressure was on for this sophomore effort. With Eternal Blue receiving the highest praises from fans and critics alike, it was on Spiritbox to keep it going and to keep their listeners entertained. With a selection of singles prior to the overall release, such as ‘Soft Spine’ and ‘Perfect Soul’, this record is Spiritbox at their most vulnerable and emotionally deepest, particularly vocalist Courtney LaPlante.
Someone who uses her voice as her own weapon, in offence and defence, LaPlante is able to express much more than her lyrics can. With the likes of, “You steal the echo from their ghosts / You pick your teeth with sacred bones” from ‘Soft Spine’; or, “Dissolve, displace, rejoice, repeat / No pressure here, admit defeat” from ‘Black Rainbow’, LaPlante and her music mates have a way to bring out their innermost feelings and portray them in poetic and aesthetically appealing manner. It’s a talent, it’s a form of art, and especially it is Spiritbox summarised in the neatest package possible. Writing about the highs and lows of life, love, oneself and the industry around them, it seems that this British Columbian outfit have found their equal balance between venting their frustrations and fears, and creating the most captivating melodies and all-consuming lyrics that can be accepted upon face value.
Whether someone takes in metal and metalcore for what it means or how it feels or just how it sounds, it is all valid and all fully achieved in this 11-track wonder.
Spiritbox as a band are becoming fully actualised, finding their feet and finalising their place in the industry as a whole. With the extent they have grown and advanced over the last handful of years, there is no telling what the rest ot the decade holds for them. The only guarantee is whatever they do, however they do it, whenever they do it, there will be hundreds if not thousands of adoring souls right there with them. Right through to the very end.
Words by Jo Cosgrove
