Spiritbox, the Canadian metal band fronted by Courtney LaPlante and guitarist Mike Stringer, has rapidly ascended to the forefront of the heavy music scene.

Since their breakout with the viral hit “Holy Roller” in 2020, they’ve captivated audiences with their unique blend of ethereal vocals and crushing metalcore riffs. Their 2021 debut album, Eternal Blue, and the 2023 EP The Fear of Fear showcased their dynamic range, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase. One of their latest singles, “Perfect Soul,” exemplifies their ability to evolve while maintaining the intensity that fans adore.

In 2025, Spiritbox continues to make waves with their sophomore album, Tsunami Sea, released on March 7. The album’s first two singles, “Soft Spine” and “Perfect Soul,” have been met with enthusiasm, highlighting the band’s growth and versatility.

Their live performances have also reached new heights; their February 13 show at London’s Alexandra Palace marked their largest UK headline gig to date. 

We spoke with a devoted fan, Tate who had a life-changing experience at that very show.

An interview with Tate:

How did you first discover Spiritbox? What was it about their music that drew you in?

“I actually remember the exact day, it was February of 2021 and we were in that weird phase of not in lockdown – but in lockdown. I had seen people I follow talk about them a lot, and I was bored, so l checked them out. I first listened to “Blessed Be” and instantly fell in love, but it wasn’t until they dropped “Circle With Me” that I was like okay, this is my band.”

Can you describe your reaction when you found out you and your fiancé were going to be brought on stage during their London gig?

“I had no clue! We had very kindly been guest-listed, and when given our tickets one of Spiritbox’s incredible crew members asked if we wanted to stand on the VIP deck – obviously I said yes. Who wants to be squished when they don’t have to be?!

Part way through the show said crew members and the bands manager came and grabbed us and led us to side stage (I am still none the wiser) and when I asked why I was just told “Courtney thought it would be cool for you.”  The sound from there when Courtney was talking was very muffled – all I heard was ‘Tate bla bla bla Reece’.

I literally had 0 idea until it was happening. It was truly the greatest moment of my life. My fiancé had been planning [his proposal] with Courtney for almost a year and managed to keep it from me! Afterwards they showed me the messages and it was so sweet, they were so willing to do this for me and it really means everything to me.”

Spiritbox’s music blends a lot of different styles, from heavy metal to atmospheric melodies. What is it about their unique sound that resonates with you?

“I really love the creepy atmospheric stuff they do, my favourite work of theirs is their first EP. I can’t really explain what it is that I love so much about them sonically, but lyrically a lot of what they write resonates with me as someone that has also struggled with mental health problems for years.

And on a less deep note, something really scratches my brain in a lot of the riffs Mike plays!”

Which of their songs do you connect with the most, and why?

“The Beauty Of Suffering is my favourite song of theirs (and of all time)!

I’m not sure what drew me to it, but I first heard it about 4 years ago now and fell in love – my first tattoo was actually the title in Courtney’s handwriting. Constance and Eternal Blue are two songs that I feel have helped me immensely, I lost my Great Grandad last summer and those songs gave me a lot of comfort.”

What’s your favourite live performance experience with Spiritbox? How do they compare to other bands you’ve seen live?

“I don’t think I can even compare their shows and say which was my favourite (Alexandra Palace wins for obvious reasons though).

I got to see them do their first ever UK headline show, their first UK headline tour, and their biggest headliner! The first time I saw them is probably the most special to me. I had interacted with Courtney a lot on twitter for about a year before I saw them and never really thought anything of it, but we were at the barrier and she recognised me and it was so sweet because she didn’t need to go out of her way to wave to me, and she wished me a happy birthday at the end of the show as they left too. I’m biased because they are my favourite band but I think they’re one of the best in the game right now, live performance wise.

Courtney has a lot of energy and interacts with the crowd a lot, which is more than a lot of their counterparts do – and I really think it adds to your experience.”

What does it feel like being part of the Spiritbox fan community? Have you made any meaningful connections with other fans along the way?

“Being part of this community means a lot to me. I met some of my best friends through this band – one flew over from the States and one from Ireland to the Alexandra Palace show, just to see me get engaged which blows my mind. I think Spiritbox are such lovely people, and in that they’ve cultivated a very lovely fan base, which is rare now. They’re a very special band with very special fans that I feel really lucky to call my friends.”

Image Credit: Rock Sound Photography

On behalf of The Mourning Paper, we want to congratulate Tate and Reece on their engagement. If you haven’t yet listened to Spiritbox’s new album then stop sleeping on it and get listening!