Album: Spiritbox - Tsunami Sea

Within the loud realm of metal, it often exists happily unbothered by the mainstream. And although a metal band going mainstream isn't always well received in the subculture, it is still exciting when a band feels on the cusp of shattering through to something bigger. Spiritbox, the Canadian metalcore band hailing from Victoria, British Columbia, are one of those bands who feel inevitable and that momentum is behind them.

Formed by husband-and-wife Mike Stringer and Courtney LaPlante in 2016 after leaving their previous band, Spiritbox have since emerged as one of the most captivating modern metal bands. Through a series of EPs and their first album, 2021's Eternal Blue, they crafted and refined their sound of crushingly heavy riffs laced with ethereal atmospheric touches. Rounding out the band are Josh Gilbert on bass and Zev Rose on drums, together forming a resolute foundation built upon by Stringer’s often breathless guitar work.

Now with their anticipated second album, Tsunami Sea, the band continue to prove their hype. Opener "Fata Morgana" grinds with a brutal industrial groove, and no time is wasted with "Black Rainbow". A ferocious swirling vortex of a track, evoking swedish metal icons Meshuggah with asynchronous guitars in a dizzying bridge, before it powerfully resolves back into its main section.

Spiritbox here brim with confidence. Pivoting into their atmospheric persona with "Perfect Soul", they showcase their trademark blending of anthemic with powerful and heavy. The title track dips into this tone as well, providing a cooling salve to the abrasive, unrelenting, yet cinematic, ferocity of "Soft Spine".

Throughout, Spiritbox demonstrate a total mastery of their sound, transitioning at ease from wall of noise heaviness into rich, textured soundscapes. LaPlante’s compelling vocals and vivid, artful lyrics shine at all times, showcasing her powerful range with even android like spoken word passages on "No Loss, No Love".

Metalcore may be easily overlooked, but with Tsunami Sea Spiritbox deliver a precise, total sonic assault that is aggressive and heavy, yet often graceful and beautiful, as with closing “Deep End”. Confident and considered, no moment is wasted or feels half-baked. Whether this propels the band to wider recognition is yet to be seen, but also irrelevant; Tsunami Sea is arresting and further underlines Spiritbox as one of the most exciting bands around.

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