With their refined style and striking aesthetics, Spiritbox has become a captivating force, blending their distinct imagery with lead vocalist Courtney LaPlante’s high-fashion and sophistication. This unique presence has not only brought a refreshing take on metal but also heightened anticipation for the sophomore album, ‘Tsunami Sea’.
‘Tsunami Sea’ is a flawless collection of songs that seamlessly blend a heavy sound with vivid emotional depth. Through rich imagery and layered metaphors, the album explores themes of change and the overwhelming tidal wave of emotions that follow, capturing a sense of vastness, depth, mystery, and life.
The album opens with ‘Fata Morgana,’ a track named after the optical mirage caused by light-bending—a fitting metaphor for the song’s ethereal yet crushing composition. Lyrics like “Fate is a mirage / Hold me up till the morning / Await in phenomenon / Let it go without warning” reinforce this theme of illusion and uncertainty. Sonically, the song weaves industrial elements with punishing breakdowns and airy atmospherics, creating a haunting contrast between heaviness and beauty. The push-and-pull dynamic mirrors the metaphor of calm before the storm, a theme carried throughout ‘Tsunami Sea’, with tracks such as ‘Deep End’ and ‘Ride the Wave’ further expanding on the imagery of deep, unrelenting waters.
‘Black Rainbow’ calls back to Spiritbox’s self-titled EP, but takes their sound to new heights with amplified electronics and distorted vocals. Acting as a metaphor for something both alluring and unattainable. ‘Black Rainbow’ builds in waves—its electronic introduction swelling before erupting into a surge of filthy guitars and echoing synths. LaPlante’s vocals begin in a hypnotic, almost-trance-like chant, gradually intensifying before unleashing ferocious screams, creating a gripping contrast.
‘Perfect Soul’ introduces a glimmer of hope, exploring the concept of the soul—the essence of a person, shaped by thoughts and personality, often believed to live on beyond death. The track’s heavy drums and guitars lay a powerful foundation, yet they create a softer, more melodic contrast when paired with LaPlante's vocal delivery. The delicate balance of heaviness and beauty is a recurring component throughout the album, with other tracks ‘Keep Sweet’, ‘Crystal Roses’ and ‘Tsunami Sea’ similarly using contrast to capture the spiritual side of the album.
‘A Haven With Two Faces’ leans into a more progressive direction, weaving intricate arrangements and evolving song structures. In contrast, ‘No Loss, No Love’ shifts gears, diving into a metalcore foundation with relentless twists and turns. While rooted in a modern metal sound, ‘No Loss, No Love’ layers in softer features—LaPlante’s soft almost spoken passages create a haunting calm before launching into her ferocious screams. This striking contrast not only amplifies the song’s intensity, crafting an image of love and loss, making it tailor-made for massive arena performances.
As a whole ‘Tsunami Sea’ serves as a powerful metaphor for change, pain and spirituality, using vivid imagery of deep waters and relentless currents. With this album, Spiritbox continues to defy expectations, rejecting the traditional confines of metal by seamlessly blending elements from other genres. They prove that heavy music doesn’t have to rely solely on screams and breakdowns—it can be clean, emotional, and ever-evolving. ‘Tsunami Sea’ not only surpasses ‘Eternal Blue’ but solidifies Spiritbox as a band unafraid to push boundaries while maintaining the signature sound that fans have come to love.
Ana Joy King
Image: ‘Tsunami Sea’ Official Album Cover
