Hype machines have been working overtime in recent weeks in anticipation of a huge release day within the metal world. Wagging tongues have been in overdrive as we drew closer to one release in particular. After what feels like an eternity, Canadian metalcore upstarts Spiritbox release their debut, Eternal Blue.
The trio open the full-length with ‘Sun Killer’, an anthem built to crush. A combination of metallic pulsating and ominous synths build the pressure within the dying star. Sonically simple verses allow Courtney LaPlante’s mournful cleans to breathe. The swell into the second chorus of the “sun killer lullaby” introduces the satisfying crunch of Mike Stringer’s guitar riffs. This staggered introduction to each moving part proves to be a genius move as it culminates in a supernova style breakdown.
Heaviness is the name of the game for Spiritbox. LaPlante’s screams blast through ‘Hurt You’’s aggressive verses. Tailing the opening uncomfortable spiral, this take of schadenfreude unravels to droning guitars and an unexpected clean chorus. Sonic isn’t the only heftiness this trio employs. Sorrowful ‘The Summit’ may house moments of crisp guitar, but its weight comes from a lyrical standpoint. “The venom is what keeps me alive” crawls beneath our skin and transports us to a world of heartbreak. ‘This release carries into ‘Secret Garden’; chunky metal riffs and an upbeat feeling are a natural evolution here for drawn out vocals to make themselves at home. Yet, the string skipping verses and tasty transition melody make this song its own entity.
Eternal Blue is a strong suite of songs. Each track in the catalogue is a highlight for Spiritbox which makes for a phenomenal record. The danger in this is running the risk of having an obvious drop in quality. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. From the dense, oppressive ‘Holy Roller’ to the ethereal title track, there is something here for every metal fan. As for those who may be looking for something more…
“Where was the grace when I was asking for it” sees Architects’ Sam Carter come into ‘Yellowjacket’ like a wrecking ball. The desperate, violent screams from Carter and LaPlante blend seamlessly. In a song crammed with digital crunch and militant vocal delivery, the meaty growl into the analogue breakdown fuses these opposing elements together in beautiful fashion. Spiritbox’s steadfast skill for composition radiates through ‘Halcyon’. The dichotomy of metalcore runs deep throughout. The balance between darker churns flowing into calmer cleans keeps the scale level. While electronica elements reign over the verses, the chorus ushers in the huge buzz only a guitar riff can bring. This makes for one of the record’s highlights as a bone shattering growl ignites an explosive breakdown at the tail end.
“Irrelevance is imminent” LaPlante exclaims on ‘Halcyon’. If this is a legitimate concern for Spiritbox, it shouldn’t be. With a record as high quality as this, the hype is more than just style over substance. The moxie this band carries throughout the album is as alluring as people claim it is. There are many reasons Spiritbox has earned the esteemed praise it has over the last few months. Eternal Blue is just another example of them harnessing the “power of a dying sun”.