Having skyrocketed to stardom after the release of their debut album, Eternal Blue. A headline tour from Canadian progressive metal quartet, Spiritbox has been long overdue for some time. However, after a long summer spent on the road alongside the likes of Ghost and Bring Me The Horizon. The band have broken away from the touring and festival circuits to finally bring their Eternal Blue tour to the UK.
Inevitably, despite some necessary venue upgrades, the hype train behind their week long run of shows with fellow Canadians, Brand of Sacrifice and homegrown heroes Loathe, left every date sold out almost immediately. Including tonight’s show at the o2 Institute in Birmingham, where the queue to get in stretches almost as far as the eye can see when we arrive at the venue. As 1500 fans eagerly wait for the chance to see Spiritbox in their element.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take too long to negotiate the queue and find a prime spot for tonight’s opening act, Brand of Sacrifice. Who come out swinging with a live debut of Blinded that sounds absolutely ferocious. The stage setup does hinder them slightly, as the five-piece wrestle with their ability to maneuver around the two spare drumkits that adorn the stage. Meaning they struggle a little to engage much with the fans during follow up tracks like Lifeblood and Exodus. However, the sheer brutality of their performance more than makes up for their lack of movement.
They might be the heaviest band on tonight’s bill, but the crowd are lapping up every blast beat and breakdown too, even as the temperature continues to rise exponentially inside the tightly packed venue. With both the band and audience alike visibly dripping in sweat as they plough ever onwards. Leaving a shell-shocked looking crowd in their wake as they finish off their short but impactful set with Eclipse. 8/10
With everyone well and truly warmed up, it’s time for Loathe to take to the stage. Unfortunately, the boys from Liverpool get off to a slightly shaky start, thanks to some problems behind the sound desk in the early going. With guitarist Erik Bickerstaffe even going so far as to disappear off stage in protest during Screaming. They carry on in admirable fashion though and it isn’t long until these teething troubles are forgotten.
Their sound may not be quite as savage as their predecessors, but once the band are firing on all cylinders once again, Loathe’s blend of pulverising riffs and ambient melodies goes down a storm with the capacity crowd. From the off-kilter attack of New Faces in the Dark to the rising wall of sound of Two-way Mirror. Every track seems to hit the mark perfectly and by the time Loathe are bringing their set to an end with Gored, the crowd are positively buzzing. 8/10
It’s not all over yet though and after a quick changeover it’s time for the main event of the evening, Spiritbox. It might be hotter than Texas in July in the o2 Institute right now, but that doesn’t stop the audience erupting in unison the very instant the house lights dim and the riff to Rule of Nines kicks in. With vocalist Courtney LaPlante getting her very own ovation as she makes her way to the stage a few seconds later. They sound absolutely huge for what’s essentially a three piece too, with Mike Stringer’s down tuned guitar and Josh Gilbert’s aggressive bass tone seemingly covering the entire sonic spectrum, as drummer Zev Rose pounds mercilessly away at his kit behind them.
There’s absolutely no let up from Spiritbox in the early going either, as they follow up their magnificent opening track with fan favourites, Hurt You and Yellowjacket. With the crowd easily making up for the absence of Sam Carter on vocals during the latter of the two. Screaming back the chorus with so much enthusiasm and conviction that even LaPlante looks slightly stunned at their reaction.
The bands latest song, The Void goes down equally well. Unbelievably though, just as their momentum seems to have peaked, Circle With Me seems to up the ante further still. Whipping the audience into a frenzy and leaving them in the palm of Spiritbox’s hands for the rest of the evening. Aside from juggernauts like Holy Roller, which garners a reaction that threatens to tear the roof off the building. The second half of their set has a few more melodic moments too, thanks to the inclusion of tracks like Secret Garden and a particularly emotional performance of Constance. Which really gives vocal powerhouse, Courtney LaPlante ample opportunity to demonstrate the more harmonious end of her incredible range.
All good things must come to an end though and with the audience’s adoration secured, Spiritbox bring their set to a suitably epic close with Eternal Blue. Having well and truly lived up to the hype that has propelled them to the forefront of the progressive metal scene over the last couple of years. No doubt leaving a lasting impression on everyone lucky enough to have squeezed their way into the o2 Institute to see them tonight! 9/10
