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Our 10 Spiritbox Songs We Love list focuses on a Canadian heavy metal band formed in 2016. The band features vocalist Courtney LaPlante, guitarist Mike Stringer, drummer Zev Rosenberg, and bassist Josh Gilbert. Spiritbox makes music with heavy guitar riffs and powerful vocals. The band mixes heavy rock with other styles of music. They record music about spirituality and personal development. Their catchy sound and intense lyrics make them popular in heavy metal music. They push boundaries with their brilliant storytelling. Spiritbox captivates listeners with every song they record. Listeners expect Spiritbox to take them on an emotional journey of self-discovery. They garnered attention with the singles “Blessed Be,” “Holy Roller,” “Constance,” “Circle with Me,” “Shivering,” “Rotoscope,” “Hysteria,” and “The Void.”
Lead singer Courtney LaPlante’s vocals helped the band stand out. Her screaming vocals contrast her smooth singing style, which gives her vocals a dynamic flair. Courtney LaPlante’s vocals cut through the heavy metal sound like a knife, making her stand out among other lead vocalists. Her formidable “death growl” gives their music a gothic feel. She credits Doja Cat, Kate Bush, Amy Lee, Beyonce, FKA Twigs, Bjork, H.E.R. SZA, and the Weeknd for her vocal phrasing. Her singing style received positive feedback from music critics. Critics consider her one of the best vocalists in the modern heavy metal scene. There aren’t too many people who transition from screamed vocals to smooth vocals like her. Lead guitarist Mike Stringer knows what to do on a guitar. His performances have a dark and melodic sound due to the guitar riffs. Like Courtney LaPlante, the band studied various artists while creating their sound. Some of their influences include Alexisonfire, Nine Inch Nails, the Cure, Protest the Hero, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Tesseract, Evanescence, and Deftones. Eighties dark rock and pop bands contributed to the band’s musical style and song structure. Let’s get to know Spiritbox better.
In 2007, Courtney LaPlante and Mike Stringer appeared in the band Iwrestledabearonce. The engaged couple wanted to do a joint project in 2011. In 2015, they quit Iwrestledabearonce. They wanted to pursue new interests. In 2015, Mike Strnger presented Courtney LaPlante with demos of songs to help them figure out the direction of their band. Courtney LaPlante and Mike Stringer got married in 2016 and began recording music. In October 2017, they launched Spiritbox. Shortly after they formed their band, they released their self-titled EP. They added bassist Bill Crook and drummer Ryan Loerke to the band. As their fanbase grew, they released the EP Singles Collection in April 2019. It includes the singles “Perennial,” “Electric Cross,” “Trust Fall,” “Belcarra,” and “Bleach Bath.” Ryan Loerke left the band in 2020. Zev Rosenberg joined Spiritbox after his departure.
Spiritbox released the single “Holy Roller” in July 2020. The single achieved critical and commercial success. In December 2020, they released “Constance.” They released the track “Circle with Me” in April 2021. “Secret Garden” and “Hurt You” came out in 2021. By the end of August 2021, their songs surpassed 80 million streams. Their merchandise and releases sold out. The band released their album Eternal Blue in September 2021. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 charts. Eternal Blue featured heavy rock and electronic elements. They released a diverse album that showed off their skills.
In 2022, Spiritbox had another member change. Bill Crook left the band. They recruited Josh Gilbert for the band. Spiritbox went back to work. They released a three-song EP titled Rotoscope in June 2022. It featured the singles “Rotoscope,” “Sew Me Up,” and “Hysteria.” The EP allowed the band to explore different musical styles. They released the EP Fear of Fear in November 2023. It became the band’s first EP to chart on the Billboard 200 charts. The EP features the singles “The Void,” “Jaded,” “Cellar Door,” and “Ultraviolet.”
If you’re new to Spiritbox, there’s plenty to discover. They recorded a plethora of excellent songs. Spiritbox takes listeners on a thrilling journey with their work. Our 10 Spiritbox Songs We Love list compiles some of their best work that longtime fans and casual listeners appreciate.
# 10 – Perennial
The tenth song on our 10 Spiritbox Songs We Love list is “Perennial.” Spiritbox included the song on their Singles Collection EP in 2019. The song discusses someone searching for a purpose in life. She feels numb and wants a way to feel something. The singer feels detached from reality. She feels as if she is in a trance, which causes her to hear voices. The feeling causes her to find a way to deal with her pain. Her pain causes her to rely on dangerous means to cope. She realizes there is more to life than her coping mechanisms.
“Perennial” discusses coping with pain by any means. The emotional lyrics capture finding comfort during life’s trials and tribulations. It resonates with anyone going through tough times. In these difficult times, the song provides solace and reassurance for those experiencing hardship. If you find yourself battling personal demons, this song gives you a glimmer of hope. We applaud Spiritbox for recording a relatable track we didn’t know we needed. The music features intense guitar riffs, which help the song convey its message. It takes listeners on an introspective journey. Courtney LaPlante’s screamed vocals take your breath away. She sings the track as if she went through the situation. We love this song because it depicts a struggle people face. The track reminds listeners that dark times eventually end.
# 9 – Secret Garden
We picked “Secret Garden” as the ninth track on our 10 Spiritbox Songs We Love list. Spiritbox included this song on their Eternal Blue album in 2021. The song discusses finding acceptance in the world. Spiritbox discusses the loneliness that comes with feeling like an outsider. They want to create a safe place to call their own. Despite feeling lonely, they find the strength to persevere.
# 8 – Shivering Illenium ft. Spiritbox
The eighth song on our 10 Spiritbox Songs We Love list is “Shivering.” Illenium recorded the song with Spiritbox for his eponymous album in 2022. “Shivering” talks about a relationship that ended. She wonders if he still feels her presence and the memory of their relationship. The singer feels like he forgot about her. She believes she’s stuck in time and can’t move on with her life. Their relationship ended badly, and he’s afraid to look back. Despite their problems, she wants him to remember her.
It depicts a woman heartbroken over the end of her relationship. She questions why they broke up. It pains her to realize he never thinks about her. She finds herself stuck in time because she refuses to move on. Illenium worked with Spiritbox for the infectious number. The relatable lyrics resonate with fans who have trouble moving on. When you hear it, the song might feel like your story coming to life. Illenium did an excellent job with production. He allows the heart-pumping music to dominate the track. It keeps the song from sounding depressing. Illenium includes EDM while staying true to Spiritbox’s rock sound. The music takes dramatic turns. It opens slowly and speeds up to a dramatic finish. Courtney LaPlante’s famous growl takes center stage. Her powerful vocals shine above the booming instrumentation. Her top-notch vocals hold your attention until the end. We love the song because Illenium and Spiritbox created a masterpiece. It features excellent instrumentation and vocals.
# 7 – Hurt You
“Hurt You” is the seventh track on our list. “Hurt You” appears on Spiritbox’s Eternal Blue album. They recorded the single in 2021. The song discusses co-dependency and clinging to toxic relationships. People get stuck in co-dependent relationships and enjoy causing each other pain. They feel trapped but enjoy it. The couple refuses to move on from each other because they enjoy the toxicity of their relationship.
“Hurt You” depicts a love-hate relationship where the couple refuses to go their separate ways. It strikes a chord with anyone in a toxic relationship. We understand the story Spiritbox wants to tell because most of us suffer from the same thing. Courtney LaPlante wrote an excellent song about an unhealthy relationship. She makes you feel like she’s writing the song from your point of view. You nod in agreement with everything she says. It features thunderous riffs that grab your attention. There’s no way to ignore the booming energy from the song. Courtney LaPlante introduces us to her screamed vocals. Casual listeners may mistake her vocals for a man’s voice. She displays the right anger for a song like this. The singer screams out her anger throughout the song. We picked “Hurt You” because we love her energy in the song. She has outstanding vocal dynamics. Courtney LaPlante growls one minute and sings regularly the next. She vocally soars without damaging her voice.
# 6 – Holy Roller
“Holy Roller” appears on the Eternal Blue album. It hit shelves in 2020. The spiritual song discusses the power of transformation. She chooses her faith over everything else. The singer finds strength in a higher power. Despite the inevitability of death, she faces it without fear. Her higher power offers protection against outside forces.
The spiritual track celebrates faith and encourages listeners to embrace it. We applaud Spiritbox for talking about faith without forcing their opinions on listeners. It resonates with fans dealing with spiritual conflict. People need something to hold on to with everything happening in the world. It features meaningful lyrics that connect with various listeners. Spiritbox recorded a track that gave them a chance to do something different. Most songs about spirituality don’t have a heavy metal sound. They deserve an A+ for originality. Spiritbox caught listeners off-guard with the track. “Holy Roller” features powerful instrumentation. The heavy guitar riffs are dark and gothic. You feel the music once it starts. The instrumentation remains true to their sound. Courtney LaPlante’s vocals blow your mind. Her demonic screaming sends chills up and down your spine.
# 5 – The Void
We reached the halfway point of our list of 10 Spiritbox Songs We Love. “The Void” appears on their Fear of the Fear EP. It premiered in 2023. It describes a woman’s journey to self-discovery, where she confronts her deepest fears. She desires independence and control over her life. The singer questions her place in the world. She feels like she lives in a world of deception.
The metaphorical song talks about a road to self-discovery. Spiritbox takes listeners on a liberating ride. Listeners get a sense of liberation and freedom from fear. The track gives listeners a chance to escape from the struggles of life. It begins with an electronic beat and explodes into heavy guitar riffs. Spiritbox fuses electronic elements with alternative metal to create a unique sound. The thumping drumbeat allows Courtney LaPlante’s voice to rise above the instrumentation. Speaking of her voice, Courtney LaPlante sounds excellent. Courtney LaPlante took a break from screaming on the song. We get to hear her voice without shouting. She proved she could sing without relying on screaming. Her screamed vocals sound great when the track calls for it, but every song doesn’t require it. Courtney LaPlante’s voice sounds gorgeous without the growl.
# 4 – Hysteria
“Hysteria” appears on the Rotoscope EP. It debuted in 2022. The song deals with self-destruction. Courtney LaPlante feels guilty about the pain she caused when she left the person she loved. The singer tries to save pieces of herself while in a state of hysteria. She feels trapped and unable to regain control of her life. Despite her issues, she looks forward to a new beginning.
The reflective song describes a woman who feels guilty about the pain she inflicted on someone she loved. It resonates with anyone who causes pain to others. It allows listeners to reflect on their self-destruction. “Hysteria” makes you think as you listen to it. The band crafted one of their strongest songs with powerful lyrics and a catchy melody. The song features outstanding instrumentation. Spiritbox does a phenomenal job with the melody. Mike Stringer could teach a class on creating dark and gothic riffs. Zev Rosenberg deserves applause for his performance on the drums. His drumbeat complements the guitar, bass, and vocals. He never overplays the drums. Courtney LaPlante gives you goosebumps with her chilling vocals. She starts the song with smooth vocals and transitions into her screamed vocals. We applaud her for seamlessly transitioning between the two vocal pitches. She outdid herself with the melodies. Singing along with her might get your frustrations out of you. She unleashes a beast towards the end of the song.
# 3 – Rotoscope
“Rotoscope” is the third single on our 10 Spiritbox Songs We Love list. It appears on the album with the same name. They released it in 2022. The song depicts a woman’s mistakes and how they haunt her. She can’t change the past, but she could learn from it. Despite facing difficult times, she won’t let it change who she is. The weight of her future keeps her down, and she needs her partner to help her get through it. She’s determined to make things better in her life.
“Rotoscope” conveys the message of tough times not lasting long. We need people to make us feel secure when times get rough. Spiritbox explains how it feels when you reflect on your mistakes. We can’t change the past, but we learn from our mistakes. Spiritbox blends pop, EDM, and heavy metal music to create the sound. The track features 90s heavy metal. It starts softly and builds to a crescendo when they get to the chorus. The band knows how to switch musical gears without missing a beat. “Rotoscope” has a hard beat that thumps through your chest. Courtney LaPlante’s vocals fluctuate from harmonic to demonic without effort. She takes her time with each lyric. Courtney LaPlante lets the lyrics marinate before she moves on with the song. We love how the band isn’t afraid to take risks with their music. Don’t let the title fool you. The band created an electrifying track with a mesmerizing melody that lingers in your mind long after the music stops.
# 2 – Constance
“Constance” takes second place on our list. Spiritbox recorded it for the Eternal Blue album in 2020. The song deals with someone struggling with their problems. She finds comfort in her loved ones. The singer struggles with a difficult time. She tries to let go of her bitterness. Her family reminds her of good times despite the chaos. Love brings peace and security to her life.
The tender song reminds listeners that love gets you through dark times. Despite the chaos, your loved ones comfort you. The gripping lyrics invite listeners to question their relationships. It teaches you to lean on the people you love when you feel down. The touching lyrics are food for your soul. We get overwhelmed listening to the haunting melody. The guitar riffs send chills down your spine. Throughout the track, the guitar riffs get heavy. It features stirring music that intensifies when the beat slows down. The pounding drumbeat allows you to tap your foot while you hear it. Spiritbox’s music breakdowns never cease to amaze us. Courtney LaPlante sounds sincere in the song. She omits her screamed vocals for the track. Her screamed vocals might overshadow the theme. Her voice sounds angelic. She keeps her voice controlled to match the theme of the song. Her emotionally charged performance blows you away.
# 1 – Circle With Me
The number one song on our 10 Spiritbox Songs We Love list is “Circle with Me.” It appears on the Eternal Blue album. The song hit the shelves in 2021. “Circle with Me” depicts a woman getting pulled in different directions. She takes control of her destiny, which leads her to feel free. Life becomes a battle between personal values and expectations. We decide our fate.
“Circle with Me” teaches listeners to pay attention to their inner voices and trust their instincts, even if it means thinking outside the box. The song resonates with listeners longing to control their destiny. It encourages listeners to make their own decisions despite negativity from others. The song takes you by surprise when it opens with heavy guitar riffs. As the song continues, Spiritbox experiments with the instrumentation. Her blood-curdling scream catches your attention immediately. Courtney LaPlante splits her vocals between smooth and blood-curdling. She surprises listeners by going back and forth with her vocals. Spiritbox begs you to sing along with the track. You get to feel free screaming along with Courtney LaPlante. The song ends abruptly and leaves you wanting more.
10 Spiritbox Songs We Love article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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