Eternal Blue | ||||
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Released | September 17, 2021 | |||
Recorded | February 2021 | |||
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Singles from Eternal Blue | ||||
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Eternal Blue is the debut studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Spiritbox. It was released on September 17, 2021, through the band's own Pale Chord Records in partnership with Rise Records. Work began in 2018 and 2019 but was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the album release initially slated for April 2020. Spiritbox relocated to Joshua Tree, California and completed the songwriting process, which Dan Braunstein and the band's guitarist Mike Stringer produced. The recording was finished in February 2021 by Braunstein.
In advance of the record's release, five songs became singles, "Holy Roller", "Constance", "Circle With Me", "Secret Garden", and "Hurt You", all of which have charted on the US Billboard. Eternal Blue proved an immediate chart success for the band, recording entries in eight countries and debuting at number thirteen on the US Billboard 200.
Background
Before co-founding Spiritbox, singer Courtney LaPlante and guitarist Mike Stringer were both in Iwrestledabearonce.[1][2] In late 2015, they decided to quit the band.[2] LaPlante and Stringer had each replaced a previous member of Iwrestledabearonce, and were never comfortable with that status in the band; the two also desired to pursue a new personal and creative direction.[3] On October 9, 2017, the duo announced the launch of their new project named Spiritbox.[4]
As Spiritbox, the couple released a seven-song self-titled debut extended play on October 27, 2017, preceded by the single "The Beauty of Suffering".[5] Former Iwrestledabearonce bandmate Mikey Montgomery served as the band's first drummer to record the EP.[6][7] The band was later joined by Bill Crook of the pop-punk band Living with Lions as bassist,[8] and Shreddy Krueger drummer Ryan Loerke became the band's first permanent drummer.[9] The band shared five singles which were eventually compiled into an EP titled Singles Collection on April 26, 2019,[10][11] followed by the non-album singles "Rule of Nines" and "Blessed Be" in 2019 and 2020. It was accomplished through their experience of the DIY recording process, although the mixing and mastering were done in another studio.[12] Loerke would depart from Spiritbox in 2020,[9] and was subsequently replaced by Philadelphia-based drummer Zev Rose.[1] The band members met Rose only two days before the group began performing with him on a tour that was canceled in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]
Composition
Spiritbox employed several heavy metal-based musical styles on Eternal Blue. Critics have identified the style on the album as metalcore,[14][15] post-metal,[15] djent,[16] and alternative metal.[17] The record was also labelled "post-metalcore".[18] Near the release of the record, LaPlante herself defined the musical genre of Spiritbox as metalcore.[16] The band's use of the digital synthesizer provided a unique sonic aspect to the album,[19][20] and LaPlante makes use of both screaming and singing throughout the record.[15][21]
Recording and release
The songwriting for Spiritbox's debut album commenced early, and most of the songs were written throughout 2018 and 2019.[22] The song "Holy Roller" was written in January 2020 and they performed the unfinished track on a European tour in March.[23] The album was initially scheduled for an April 2020 release; however, the process was interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The band then paused to assess the situation in the world and decided to release the single "Holy Roller" in the meantime.[22] In September 2020, Spiritbox announced that they had signed with Rise Records, as part of the label's partnership with Pale Chord Records.[8][24] The band started pre-production on the album with their producer Dan Braunstein via Zoom.[22] Eventually, the band reconvened in Joshua Tree, California, to continue working in "their own bubble" over a five-month period, which allowed them to continue writing songs and revising existing material in a context of proximity to each other during the pandemic. Meanwhile, "super popular" music videos released by the band increased anticipation of the album.[1]
By January 2021, Revolver had dubbed Spiritbox's upcoming full-length release as one of its "60 Most Anticipated Albums of 2021".[25] The band set a deadline of April 2021 to finish work on the album so it could be released by the end of 2021.[16] The album was produced by Braunstein and the band guitarist, Mike Stringer.[22] Braunstein recorded it along with the band at an Airbnb rental house located on a 20-acre desert property in Joshua Tree, in complete isolation.[22][16] Eternal Blue was recorded over a period of three weeks in February, and the process was finished by the beginning of March.[12] Eternal Blue was finally released on September 17.[14][15]
Singles
Spiritbox first found critical and commercial success with "Holy Roller", released on July 3, 2020. The band teamed up with Revolver to premiere the single with an accompanying music video.[23] It debuted at No. 25 on the US Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs[8] and climbed to No. 12 six months later.[26] The song's original version spent seven weeks as No. 1 on Sirius XM Liquid Metal's Devil's Dozen,[8] and was deemed the best song of 2020 by the station's listeners.[1][16] The band subsequently released a remix of "Holy Roller" in October, which featured Ryo Kinoshita of Crystal Lake.[27] The "Holy Roller" remix version spent five weeks as No. 2 on Sirius XM Liquid Metal's Devil's Dozen.[8][28] On December 4, 2020, Spiritbox debuted "Constance", whose LaPlante wrote the lyrics at the same moment the music video was conceived and created by director Dylan Hryciuk. The song and its music were dedicated to Phyllis, LaPlante's grandmother, who could not say the last goodbye to her before her death because of the pandemic, nor attend her funeral. The music video was dedicated to Hryciuk's grandmother, Constance, who was battling the late stages of dementia at the time of the video's release.[29] Described as a "massive track", "Constance" earned the band further critical acclaim from critics and the metal community, showcasing the versatility and variety of styles within the band's music.[30][31] That same month, a Kerrang! reader's poll voted Spiritbox as "Best New Band".[32]
The third single from the album, "Circle With Me", which was the final song written, and its music video directed by Orie McGinness, were released on April 30, 2021. The lyrics describe the anxiety that LaPlante experiences "about messing up" her music, to her own confidence that allows her to protect herself from her self-doubt. The song displays "breathy vocals" and melodies mixing guitars and electronic instrumentation, contrasting with harsher parts and a breakdown.[33] In mid-May, the single topped the US Billboard Hard Rock Digital Song Sales,[34] reached No. 5 on the US Hot Hard Rock Songs,[35] No. 12 on the US Rock Digita Song Salesl,[36] No. 50 on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs,[37] and No. 71 on the US Digital Song Sales chart.[38] It was followed by "Secret Garden" on May 25. According to LaPlante, the song showcases the "fluidity that is inherent in heavy music" and the diverse metal styles of Spiritbox.[39] "Secret Garden" reached No. 34 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in mid-August.[40] During the first week of August, "Constance" garnered enough public attention to hold the top position on the US Billboard Hard Rock Digital Song Sales[41] and reach No. 19 on the US Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs.[42] One final single, "Hurt You", written "during a snowstorm" before the pandemic in early 2020, was shared in advance of the album on August 20. The theme of the song explores "toxic co-dependency" while choosing to fail deliberately. Hryciuk directed the music video.[43] "Hurt You" charted at No. 20 on the US Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs in the week of September 4, 2021.[44]
Reception
Critical
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Kerrang! | 5/5[15] |
Kill Your Stereo | 75/100[45] |
Metal Hammer | [46] |
New Noise | [14] |
Outburn | 10/10[47] |
Rock Sins | 8.5/10[49] |
Wall of Sound | 9/10[48] |
Commercial
Eternal Blue entered the Billboard 200 chart at No. 13 with 23,000 album-equivalent units earned in the United States in the September 17-23 tracking period, out of which 19,000 were pure album sales.[50] The album ranked third on the Top Album Sales in the week ending October 2, 2021, which was considered a success.[50][51] The album had chart impact internationally, opening at No. 8 on the Top 50 Albums Chart in Australia,[51] No. 17 in the Top 100 Albums in Germany, and No. 19 on the Official Albums Chart Top 100 in the United Kingdom,[52] although it was placed at No. 8 mid-week on the UK chart on September 20, 2021.[53] Eternal Blue topped both the ARIA Top 20 Vinyl Album[54] and the US Billboard Vinyl Album Sales[55] and reached No. 2 on the UK Official Vinyl Albums Chart.[56] It reached No. 2 on the US Independent Albums chart[51] and No. 12 on the US Tastemaker Albums chart in the week of October 2, 2021.[57]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Sun Killer" | 3:47 |
2. | "Hurt You" | 3:46 |
3. | "Yellowjacket" (featuring Sam Carter) | 3:18 |
4. | "The Summit" | 3:57 |
5. | "Secret Garden" | 3:39 |
6. | "Silk in the Strings" | 2:57 |
7. | "Holy Roller" | 2:53 |
8. | "Eternal Blue" | 3:59 |
9. | "We Live in a Strange World" | 2:48 |
10. | "Halcyon" | 3:40 |
11. | "Circle With Me" | 3:53 |
12. | "Constance" | 4:30 |
Total length: | 43:07 |
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[58]
Spiritbox
Additional musicians
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Production
Design
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Charts
Chart (2021) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[59] | 8 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[60] | 144 |
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[61] | 17 |
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[62] | 40 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[63] | 17 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[64] | 8 |
UK Albums (OCC)[65] | 19 |
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[66] | 2 |
US Billboard 200[67] | 13 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[68] | 2 |
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[69] | 1 |
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[70] | 1 |
References
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- ^ a b Coare, Sam (May 2021). "Believe The Hype: Spiritbox are the hottest band in the world". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ Richardson, Jake (July 3, 2019). "Spiritbox is where serene art-rock + metal savagery meet". Loudwire. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
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- ^ a b "Spiritbox: Tout Savoir sur le Groupe" [Spiritbox: Know Everything About the Group | 2016−present]. Hard Force Magazine (in French). Paris. n.d. OCLC 32640105. Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ Redrup, Zach (March 12, 2019). "News: Spiritbox detail EP of 2018/2019 singles!". Dead Press!. UK. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ "Spiritbox debut new song and music video". Lambgoat. December 2, 2019. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Kinnett, Tristan (March 1, 2021). "Spiritbox Finishing Up Studio Work on Debut Album". mxdwn Music. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ^ Brown, Paul (September 16, 2021). "Courtney LaPlante Clarifies Drummer Zev Rose's Position within Spiritbox". Wall Of Sound. Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
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Irresistible post-metallers Spiritbox...
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- ^ The following critics called Eternal Blue post-metalcore:
- Leivers, Dannii (September 14, 2021). "Spiritbox's Eternal Blue..." Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
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- ^ Garland, Robert (September 18, 2021). "Spiritbox: Eternal Blue". Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ Morin, Max (September 17, 2021). "Album Review: Spiritbox Eternal Blue". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e LaPlante, Courtney (September 21, 2021). "Here's everything you need to know..." Upset Magazine. No. 70. UK. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ a b Chichester, Sammi (July 3, 2020). "See Spiritbox Evoke 'Midsommar' in Video for Crushing New Song 'Holy Roller'". Revolver. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ^ Redrup, Zach (September 24, 2020). "News: Spiritbox sign with Rise Records!". Dead Press!. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- ^ "60 Most Anticipated Albums of 2021". Revolver. January 1, 2021. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ "Hot Hard Rock Songs | 'Holy Roller'". Billboard. January 2, 2021. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Spiritbox Release Video For Remix Of 'Holy Roller' Feat. Ryo Kinoshita Of Crystal Lake". October 5, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ Bezer, Charley (December 4, 2020). "Spiritbox Release Video For Remix Of 'Holy Roller' Feat. Ryo Kinoshita Of Crystal Lake". ArchCity.Media. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- ^ Divita, Joe (December 4, 2020). "Spiritbox Dedicate Emotional 'Constance' Video to Late Grandmother + Elders With Dementia". Loudwire. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ Schaffner, Lauryn (June 25, 2021). "Spiritbox's Courtney LaPlante Offers Explanation of Why 'Constance' Makes People Cry". Loudwire. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ Rogers, Jack (December 4, 2020). "Spiritbox Have Released A Powerful New Song 'Constance'". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "The 2020 Readers' Poll Results: What music has ruled your year?". Kerrang!. December 30, 2020. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ Divita, Joe (April 30, 2021). "Spiritbox's New Song 'Circle With Me' Sounds Like Heavy Music's Future". Loudwire. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Hard Rock Digital Song Sales | 'Circle With Me'". Billboard. May 15, 2021. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Hot Hard Rock Songs | 'Circle With Me'". Billboard. May 15, 2021. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Rock Digital Song Sales". Billboard. May 15, 2021. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs". Billboard. May 15, 2021. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Spiritbox Announce Debut Album; Drop New Single 'Secret Garden'". Top40-Charts. May 26, 2021. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ Brown, Paul 'Browny' (May 25, 2021). "Spiritbox Unveil Debut Album Eternal Blue; Drop New Song 'Secret Garden'". Wall Of Sound. Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. August 14, 2021. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Hard Rock Digital Song Sales | 'Constance'". Billboard. August 7, 2021. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Hot Hard Rock Songs | 'Constance'". Billboard. August 7, 2021. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ Carter, Emily (August 20, 2021). "Spiritbox release new single and 'horror-inspired' video, 'Hurt You'". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Hot Hard Rock Songs | 'Hurt You'". Billboard. September 4, 2021. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ Sievers, Alex (September 6, 2021). "Spiritbox – Eternal Blue". Kill Your Stereo. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ Leivers, Dannii (September 14, 2021). "Spiritbox's Eternal Blue: the most eagerly anticipated debut in years repays the faith". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ Katsiaficas, Nathan (September 15, 2021). "Spiritbox: Eternal Blue". Outburn. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ Crampton, Simon (September 17, 2021). "Spiritbox – Eternal Blue". Rock Sins. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ Brown, Paul (September 10, 2021). "Spiritbox – Eternal Blue (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ a b Rutherford, Kevin (October 1, 2021). "Spiritbox Lands at No. 1 on Top Rock Albums, Hard Rock Albums With Debut Project". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c Trapp, Philip (September 8, 2021). "Spiritbox's 'Eternal Blue' Opens Inside the Top 15 of the Billboard 200". Loudwire. Archived from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
{{cite news}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; September 28, 2021 suggested (help) - ^ Faure, Laurence (September 27, 2021). "Top Albums Européen..." [Top European Albums: Best sellers in France, Germany, Belgium, and United Kingdom]. Hard Force Magazine (in French). Paris. OCLC 32640105. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ Rogers, Jack (September 20, 2021). "Spiritbox's 'Eternal Blue' Is On Course To Debut In The Top Ten Of The UK Albums Chart". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 20 Vinyl Albums for week of 27 September 2021". ARIA Charts. September 27, 2021. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Vinyl Albums". Billboard. October 2, 2021. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Official Vinyl Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. September 24, 2021. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Tastemaker Albums | 'Eternal Blue'". Billboard. October 2, 2021. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ Eternal Blue (CD booklet). Spiritbox. Canada: SOCAN; ASCAP. 2021.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Australiancharts.com – Spiritbox – Eternal Blue". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Spiritbox – Eternal Blue" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Spiritbox Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Spiritbox: Eternal Blue" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Spiritbox – Eternal Blue" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Spiritbox Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Spiritbox Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Hard Rock Albums – Week of October 2, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Top Rock Albums – Week of October 2, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2021.