Feast your ears on Spiritbox’s new EP, “The Fear of Fear,” an auditory carnival as unpredictable as a shopping spree at Walmart on Black Friday. Releasing on November 3rd via Rise Records/Pale Chord, this EP is a wild ride, so strap in. This is the band’s second EP since dropping Rotoscope back in 2022 and follows up on 2021’s full-length Eternal Blue.
This EP’s production is a sound engineer’s dream and a noise-cancellation headphone’s nightmare. It’s rich, layered, and filled with surprises that keep you on your toes—or whatever body part you’re headbanging with. The band has managed to really hone in on their alt-metal/electronic/pop sound combination.
Mike Stringer’s guitar work is a masterclass in bending strings until they weep tears of musical joy. The tunings are so low they make your self-esteem look like Mount Everest. It’s a heavy, pulsating, and utterly mesmerizing experience. In typical Stringer style, he’s djenting and bending like your grandparents making out in the backseat at the drive-in cinema.
Josh Gilbert’s (ex-AILD) bass adds a metalcore flare, bringing an edge and intensity. It’s like adding hot sauce to a gourmet dish—unexpected but oh-so-delicious. You can hear his subtle influence on the band since joining full-time.
Courtney LaPlante’s vocal range is nothing short of astonishing. One minute, she’s an angel serenading you from the heavens; the next, she’s a stressed Walmart mom yelling at her kids to get in the car, grappling with a heavy cart slowly rolling into the path of other cars and people. It’s raw, real, and resonates in a beautiful and terrifying way.
Enter Zev Rose, a drumming prodigy so young he makes the rest of us feel like we’re collecting social security checks. His rhythms are tight, innovative, and filled with youthful energy that leaves you both inspired and slightly depressed about your own age.
Here’s where things get wild. Controversial Canadian clinical psychologist Dr. Jordan B. Peterson features on “Ultraviolet,” where he rambles about the radical left, Marxism, and—wait for it—a secret Canadian meatloaf recipe. Here is a snippet of the madness: “You see, the meatloaf is a metaphor for life. You’ve got your beef, your breadcrumbs, your Canadian maple syrup. Mix them together, and what do you have? A delicious contradiction, much like the dialectical tensions between the radical left and the savory essence of free-market capitalism.“
Track-by-Track Breakdown:
- “Cellar Door”: An explosive opener setting the tone for the chaos.
- “Jaded”: A dance with cynicism and disillusionment.
- “Too Close / Too Late”: A paradoxical headbanger that’s too close to brilliance.
- “Angel Eyes”: A sweet serenade with a devilish twist.
- “The Void”: A void filled with existential angst and nihilistic flair.
- “Ultraviolet”: Featuring Dr Peterson’s profound ramblings, it’s a colorful conclusion to a wild ride.
“The Fear of Fear” is a genre-defying, expectation-shattering, and utterly unique musical experience. This EP has everything from angelic vocals to Walmart mom screams, from guitar wizardry to philosophical meatloaf musings.
If you’re craving a musical journey as rich, complex, and unexpected as life itself, look no further than Spiritbox’s latest offering. It’s an album that feeds the soul, tickles the intellect, and makes you laugh in bewildered delight. Enjoy the feast!
The Fear of Fear gets 4 meatloaves out of 5.