RANKED: The top 10 songs by Spiritbox

With Spiritbox’s appearance at Download Festival on the Apex Stage fast approaching, Out of Rage are delving into their Top 10 tracks.

In recent months, we have watched the band reach some rather impressive career milestones. Few months have passed since they headlined 10,000 capacity Alexandra Palace in February; even fewer days have passed since they released their highly anticipated second studio album. In addition to this, Spiritbox are embarking on a headline tour in North America to prime them for such an appearance on the Download stage. At such a heightened stage of their career, there is no questioning what this band are capable of, or even what comes next.

Exploring everything from their classics to their newest releases on Tsunami Sea, here is what we have to say.

10) THE RULE OF NINES

The coalescence of a heavy sound mixed with hypnotising vocals is exactly what Spiritbox excel at. That is exactly why Rule of Nines made the list. The vocals on this track sound dreamy at first, almost siren-like, despite being sung alongside gritty guitars. This song is one of Spiritbox’s oldest releases, first shared as a single in 2019. So while it is not considered the very start of their discography, it comes close. That is what makes it an essential listen.

9) HURT YOU

Structurally, Hurt You is the opposite of Rule of Nines. It is heavy in all areas except for the chorus. The two songs are like parallels, so it makes sense to place them side by side on this list. There is a great breakdown in this which shows how flexible Courtney LaPlante’s vocals are. Whether she is using clean vocals or gutturals, that alone is something that should be recognised as incredibly skilful.

8) JADED

Found on their 2023 EP release The Fear of Fear, Jaded takes the spot at number 8. This song contains poetic, introspective lyrics. There is a mournful tone to this one as it bears the energy of being distant from oneself. Of course, this is embellished with the usual Spiritbox flair.

7) THE MARA EFFECT, PART 1

In any circumstance, an artist’s early works should be celebrated. There is no doubt that Spiritbox have earned that celebratory factor with The Mara Effect Pt.1, found on their self-titled EP in 2017. Between the djenty guitar and Courtney LaPlante’s gentle vocal intro, this song is key in uncovering Spiritbox’s origins. And if you’re really stuck, you can listen to the additional two parts on their self-titled album that share this song’s name. It’s all beautifully woven and interconnected.

6) ETERNAL BLUE

This song is an emotional pick about being at a low point after being hurt. If you are in to metal – but are also slightly melancholic - this melodic tune with its twinkling synths is for you. It also goes to show that metal bands don’t have to be heavy all the time. Moreover, it exemplifies they are a band that do heavy and gentle impeccably well.

5) NO LOSS, NO LOVE

As far as Spiritbox songs go, No Loss, No Love is a little different. Released as a single from Tsunami Sea, it came as a surprise to some. Spoken words are woven in to a song largely comprised of gutturals. The words are not punctuated by Spiritbox’s signature gritty instrumentation, making them almost eerie against the synthesiser backdrop. For those reasons, the song feels experimental. Not only that, it demonstrates that Spiritbox are unafraid of the art of expression and bending the rules in metal.

4) ROTOSCOPE

If you like shaking your stuff to metal songs then this is the tune for you. Rotoscope is as heavy as it is rhythmic. Dancing to this song is something that vocalist Courtney LaPlante actively encourages in the band’s live performances. In doing so, she swiftly dismisses the naysayers that say metal isn’t something you can dance to. It is, and this song does everything to prove it.

3) SUN KILLER

Arguably, Sun Killer is an underrated fave. Featured on Eternal Blue, the song is like a first page in a book. We are drawn in to hypnosis by harmonious vocals from the start. In this track, the heaviness gradually unfolds. The song was quite an introduction for a modern metal album in 2021. There is no doubt it can leave a lasting impression almost four years on.

2) FATA MORGANA

Spiritbox consistently prove they know how to begin their albums with a thunderous bang. Fata Morgana is no different, and that’s what makes it that song. If this tune had a set of lungs, it would breathe life in to the body of Tsunami Sea. There is something dark about the song that arrests the attention of the listener. Debuting and opening with this song at Alexandra Palace in London, there is some assuredness that it will be included in their Download set.

1) HOLY ROLLER

Not making Holy Roller number one would be a sure sign of impurity and imbalance in the world. With just over 48 million listens on Spotify, there is no doubt this is a number one track. But it is more than mere data. Between blazing guitar riffs and Courtney’s vocals, Holy Roller is monstrous and wild. Furthermore, it stomps on anyone who dares to say that Spiritbox have not earned their place in the modern metal scene.

In the band’s live performances, Holy Roller has been seen accompanied by vicious pyro. Arguably their most famous song, the track stands strong with powerful but violent growls by LaPlante.

There is no doubt the Download crowd will move around for this. Traditionally played towards the end of their set, this song guarantees new fans through their live performance alone.

Catch Spiritbox at Download Festival, alongside headliners Green Day, Korn and Sleep Token.

Words: Shania Richards