Album Review: Spiritbox – Tsunami Sea (Pale Chord / Rise Records)

Spiritbox, the game-changing progressive heavy metal band are back with one of the most anticipated albums of the year. It’s finally time, on March 7th, 2025, their second studio album, ‘Tsunami Sea’ will be released via Pale Chord in partnership with Rise Records.

Haters beware, if you thought the noise around Spiritbox was annoying before, it’s about to get a whole lot louder. Their rise has been nothing short of phenomenal, but unlike some others that have enjoyed a similar rise, Spiritbox are far less polarising. In fact, mostly, they’re lauded and for good reason. Not just because Courtney LaPlante’s vocals are staggeringly good (clean and harsh), but because the band haven’t compromised their progressive sound as more accessible modern metal aspects are being explored.

Simply put, be prepared for anthems on this album, but also be prepared for some heavy and progressive stuff too.

It starts with a bang. Holy hell, what a statement Fata Morgana is. Methodically heavy and aggressive, the harsh vocals on this one will tear strips of flesh from the body. Yet, instantly and effectively, everything switches, and we get a chorus that you can sing along to. That, alongside further creative touches that add atmosphere, make this an absolute winner of a track.

Bar well and truly set, so how about a fast and weird one? It’s Black Rainbow and it combines intense metal with hysterical electronica for an experience that might give you heart palpations. Then, along comes Perfect Soul to hammer home the ‘anthemic’ point via more melody, more focus on clean singing, but chunky and choppy guitars and drums. Long term, this will be one of their most iconic tracks and a surefire fan favourite.

There’s a really strong sense that world domination is an inevitability for Spiritbox, and all the proof anyone needs is this album and tracks like Keep Sweet and Soft Spine. The former’s added layer of atmosphere gives this a dreamier feel, especially with LaPlante’s soft voice, yet it goes off in style and that’s when it really gets good. Then, the latter begins with the most ‘laugh out loud through delight’ breakdown that most will be in love from that moment onwards. I’d say it’s Spiritbox at their heaviest, but so much of this album is them at their freaking heaviest.

Fear not melody fans, there’s still plenty more to come and the title track sees Spiritbox focus on a more ‘traditionally’ dramatic piece. Where the vocals compliment the instrumentals, layered perfectly alongside powerful tones and ethereal effects. Then there is A Haven with Two Faces, which is Spiritbox at their most dramatic and cinematic. Before No Loss No Love brings back the more aggressive side of the band, alongside bundles of experimental melody and garish effects. Each is highly creative, showcasing layers of accessibility, and proving once and for all that they really can do everything.

Don’t believe me? Get your ears around Crystal Roses, where we get a track more likely to fill a dance floor at a club. An alternative club, but a club none the less. It’s probably going to be the most polarising track of all because it’s mostly made up of electronica, but the latter part, and how bouncy it gets, will win many doubters over.

Finally, it’s Ride the Wave and Deep End. Spiritbox have already knocked it out of the park, but world domination is on the cards, so here we get two more varied bangers. The former beginning with a sexy kind of instrumental moodiness that compliments the clean singing, before a crashing blast of heaviness reveals a thrilling chorus. The structure of this one is familiar, but the parts are wholly unique and as it goes on, it develops in very interesting ways. I won’t spoil that for you, but rest assured, you might be picking up your teeth afterwards. Then there is the latter, which can be simply summed up as a smile-inducing anthem that draws much inspiration from the poppier side of rock and metal. It’s a great closing track, but it’s part of an album that delivers on all promises. The hype has been unreal, unfair to some degree, but it’s all deserved, this album is incredible and will take this band to even greater heights. The future is now, the future is Spiritbox.

Spiritbox – Tsunami Sea Track Listing:

1. Fata Morgana
2. Black Rainbow
3. Perfect Soul
4. Keep Sweet
5. Soft Spine
6. Tsunami Sea
7. A Haven with Two Faces
8. No Loss No Love
9. Crystal Roses
10. Ride the Wave
11. Deep End

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