EP REVIEW: Spiritbox – The Fear Of Fear

a six song collection that contains a wide variety of tracks that looks both back at where the band has come from, and where they are going. It’s an incredibly well polished and performed affair

There are few bigger names in modern metalcore right now than Spiritbox. The four-piece have been electrifying audiences with their immense and spacious sound since 2017, and finally got around to dropping their acclaimed debut LP in 2021.

Last year, the band dropped a three-piece EP entitled ‘Rotoscope’, which garnered incredibly positive reception from fans for its experimentation on the Spiritbox style, especially in regards to the ferociously catchy title track. It seems Spiritbox have no intent of slowing things down however, with yet another EP releasing this year.

‘The Fear Of Fear’ is a six song collection that contains a wide variety of tracks that looks both back at where the band has come from, and where they are going. It’s an incredibly well polished and performed affair, and whilst some of the tracks do feel a little bit like b-sides from ‘Eternal Blue’, others are undeniably some of the best not just from this band, but from the genre as a whole.

The EP is ripped open with one such track, ‘Cellar Door’. Arguably the heaviest track we’ve seen to date from the metalcore juggernauts. Courtney LaPlante is utterly incredible, her already phenomenal talents somehow having improved even more in this blistering performance. The despicably good breakdown in the back half is certain to make you want to punch a hole through the nearest object.

‘Angel Eyes’ is another deeply rewarding moment that once again pummels the listener with monstrous heaviness. Certainly, there’s an enjoyment in the near mindless aggression of the band’s early heavy hitters like ‘Holy Roller’, but the evolution of their sound to add some depth and complexity to that heaviness is much welcomed. 

‘Jaded’ brings those huge melodic choruses that Spiritbox are known for, with a particularly gorgeous final chorus that weaves in some of LaPlante’s stunning upper register. ‘Ultraviolet’ closes the EP off on a sparkling, ethereal note, with a beautiful contrast between the soaring choruses and pulsing electronic fronted verses. 

‘Too Close/Too Late’ and ‘The Void’ do get a little lost on the EP, sounding very much like cutting room floor moments from ‘Eternal Blue’ but they’re far from bad songs. It’s hard to imagine this band ever creating a bad song; there’s a conviction and creativity to everything that they perform that is impossible to ignore, and places them head and shoulders above so many of their peers.

Where the band go from here is anyone’s guess. Perhaps 2024 will see yet another EP, or it’s possible the band might get to work on what will no doubt be a hotly anticipated sophomore effort. Either way, we can all rest assured it’ll probably be another damn good project.

RATING: 79/100 – Mostly Very Good

For Fans Of: Northlane, Loathe, Bad Omens, Alpha Wolf, Void Of Vision

Physical copies of the EP are available to purchase here.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Twitter // Spotify