Spiritbox has had all but a meteoric rise within the metal community since their inception. Yes, one can argue they had pre-existing time in the scene (as iwrestledabearonce and more of a soft opening with their 2017 EP) but it seems all eyes have been on the act since “Blessed Be” and “Holy Roller” smashed the doors open in 2020. By 2021, Eternal Blue was a prominent release not just in the metal community but the music community as a whole. With two EPs released since then, the group has taken their time to develop a proper full-length follow up. It seems that time has caused the group to grow more confident and more willing to take risks. Tsunami Sea is all the stronger for it.
Much like Eternal Blue, Tsunami Sea‘s biggest strength is it’s collection of diverse tracks and it’s ability to ebb and flow between emotions. Each song has it’s own characteristics and adds to the overall feeling of the album as a whole. No track feels tacked on or generic, but instead serving a distinct purpose. The lead-off “Fata Morgana” operates in more atmospheric but heavy waters. The chugging guitars and Courtney LaPlante’s screams feel almost hypnotic, ushering you in before the entracing chorus literally ‘pulls you under.’ It’s an interesting opener, which doesn’t stand out for a simple chorus or guitar riff, but one that really is meant to put you into the mood and spirit of the album. It’s up to “Black Rainbow” to really bring the audio punishment up a notch, with urgent mid-tempo grooves, robotic vocalizations, and sheer primal explosions, it’s a heavy track but it maintains enough of a tinge of melodic sensibility that it still feels surprisingly accessible.
By this time, the ebb and flow really comes into play, with the melodic one-two of early single “Perfect Soul” and “Keep Sweet” positioning themselves as more sweeping and soaring cuts, with the latter ratcheting up the electronic quotient and diving back into some more familiar metalcore territory with the harsh/clean vocal dynamics, and given a high level of polish. Of the other two singles, “Soft Spine” feels the most like a ‘classic’ Spiritbox steamroller in it’s intense guitar rumblings and barked vocals done in a very caustic way. That said, “No Loss, No Love” does it’s best to up the ante further in that regard, also utilizing a heavy dose of electronics and some spoken word vocals to elevate the level of contrast as the song progresses.
Speaking of electronics, the most unexpected track has to be that of “Crystal Roses,” with it’s drum and bass sampling and spiraling electronic vibes. It’s catchy, though some might be caught off guard, but it still maintains that massive Spiritbox feeling to it and it feels like an opening for further future experimentation. There’s also the more doomy and ballad-y “A Haven With Two Faces,” which contrasts droning chugs to massive build-ups much like the tides themselves. The title track implements some slightly more math-y rhythms in a melodically sound way that makes the complexity feel more digestible, while LaPlante’s vocals elevate the chorus into one of the finest here.
It’s the final two tracks that really cement Tsunami Sea as a triumph. “Ride the Wave” has the arena-rock flair coupled with a notably airy atmosphere and murky electronics that escalate tension to an eventual climax that satisfies with it’s snarling collision of raw instrumentation and intense screams. The transition from this bellowing, ‘hit the bottom’ chaos back into the esoteric and soaring chorus is, to this scribe, probably the strongest moment on the album. It shows the group’s entire range in a single track. Closer “Deep End” has all of the climatic, ethereal callings that one might expect after the range of emotions on display from beginning til the end. It’s an entirely euphoric as it washes over the listener, giving it the feeling of reaching the end of a journey in the best possible way.
Tsunami Sea had massive shoes to fill, but it has no problems finding it’s own way to surpass expectations. Spiritbox could have easily written ‘more of the same,’ and had some arguably great success, but they’ve continued their ‘blur the lines’ artistic exploration in such a way that they can find equal success both within and outside of traditional metal circles without a sacrifice to their integrity. This is a powerful, emotional, and boundary-pushing release that shows the band really maximizing their potential and cementing their status as up and coming leaders in the scene. Where they go from here is anyone’s guess, but it’s bound to be an exciting trip to follow them with.