Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Spiritbox - The Fear of Fear (2023)

Spiritbox is one of the most popular bands in modern metal. They made it big with their string of singles throughout the era of the pandemic and the album those songs would appear in, Eternal Blue. I remember listening to that album when it first came out, and I enjoyed the heavy technicality and spacey melody. For some reason though, the appeal didn't last long for me. Must be due to the more mainstream alt-ish sound, but at least it's enough for my brother to enjoy a couple of those songs.

In between that album and their new one Tsunami Sea, the band released two EPs. The one I've chosen to check out is this one, The Fear of Fear. It has definitely sparked up some memories of when I listened to Eternal Blue, being a solid continuation of that album's alt-metalcore sound with a few industrial/cyber/nu metal vibes thrown in...

To open this offering, "Cellar Door" has some of the heaviest I've heard from the band. Glitchy electronics and nu-infused guitar guide you through this violent chaos complete with crushing breakdowns. The second track and fellow single "Jaded" has the technicality and emotion of Architects while blending it with the softer side of Eternal Blue. "Too Close / Too Late" has a gentle drift of beauty, especially in the chorus.

"Angel Eyes" brings back the monstrous destruction. The textured bass by Josh Gilbert (ex-As I Lay Dying) are adjacent to djenty guitar intensity along with the harsh vocal fury of vocalist Courtney LaPlante. In "The Void", the band knows just how to hit with all their power! The beautiful emotion carries on in the closing "Ultraviolet".

To summarize the sound of this band and EP, well...it's all about experimenting with what they are without setting a strict sound. This allows them to break boundaries at ease, and make the band more than just simply alt-metalcore. It's not a direct sequel to Eternal Blue, more like an expansion of that album's sound in a way that makes this EP stand out with its own. So let's ride on for a glimpse of what to hear from this rising band....

Favorites: "Cellar Door", "Angel Eyes", "The Void"