Spiritbox - The Fear of Fear | EP Reaction

[@Trepanation21]

This format was super enjoyable! (probably also because I love what this band is up to 😅) I'm so happy you loved this EP as much as you did, because they've established an interesting release tempo. By the time Eternal Blue came out (their "debut album" in 2021), we'd already actually had several years of loving Spiritbox, as they had already released like 15 other songs between 2017-2020. So then Eternal Blue came out in 2021 (and is fucking excellent) and then what felt like right on its heels in early summer 2022, they dropped a 3-song EP (Rotoscope, Sew Me Up, Hysteria). And _less than a year later_ the first taste of The Fear of Fear EP came out. So they're doing this interesting thing where they're just putting out music as they're vibing with whatever sound they're on at the time, not caught up in the pressure of traditional album releases. Honestly, I'm completely here for it. The EP with Rotoscope, Sew Me Up, and Hysteria is really fun, and I hope you check that out too (even if it's just personal listens). Looking forward to your Eternal Blue listen! I love that you commented about Courtney having a great R&B voice, because [among many others] she's listed strong influence from Prince, Beyoncé ("one of my favorite artist ever"), and Erykah Badu (she's said Baduizm was "the soundtrack of my childhood", having introduced her to "a strong female voice" that was always telling a story, that she loved how she'd go between singing and rapping. Courtney says "I love artists that have all this beautiful colour to their voice", and as such, personally considers Erykah Badu as one of "the coolest and most diverse singers ever"). Further, when an interviewer asked who Courtney's "rock god" was, if she had to name one artist, she named *Tina Turner!* I know, _obviously,_ right? :D Pure quality and class. Also, *Megan Thee Stallion* actually reached out to Spiritbox for the remix, which is such a huge boost for Spiritbox! Their collab on MTS' song _"Cobra"_ actually landed really well, a lot of fans of either artist have been really positive in the comments, and Spiritbox really did a great job in actually integrating their musical and vocal sound into it in a way that I think really supports Megan's vibe _especially_ because the remix was on an extremely tight schedule. I feel like you can tell that Spiritbox really respected the opportunity. Anyway, this was a really fun reaction, thank you for sharing it. I always chat too much in your Spiritbox videos lmao 😂

[@ashlenamusic]

Hahaha I don’t mind the long comments I appreciate them!! And I love her influences! Her voice is gorgeous.

[@carriefish]

Girl, PLEASE do the full Spiritbox journey. Eternal Blue, the singles collection, the Rotoscope EP, all of it. They really are such a special band. Courtney is devastating 😩👏🏻🔥 I can't WAIT to see more of your SB reactions. I'll be here waiting! Thank you for the awesome reactions! The Fear of Fear is so gorgeous from start to finish. Glad you loved it!

[@ashlenamusic]

I 100% will I am falling in love with them. I just ordered this EP on vinyl!

[@jsavage71]

@@ashlenamusic Awesome. I would love to see you listen to the album and eps and then react to their live in-studio recordings from their Liquid Metal 6 song show they did at the end of 2020, the Mara Effect live performance of all 3 parts, and Courtney's solo in-studio performances. You get more of Courtney's personality in her one take for Rule of Nines and during Liquid Metal. She's adorably sarcastic.

[@francesoxberry6816]

Thanks! We need it

[@David-xn3kd]

Your going to love Eternal Blue. Was my favourite album when it came out and a lot of metal heads had it on their album of the year lists. Incredible band.

[@ashlenamusic]

Wow!!! I can’t wait to hear it!

[@hannahfindley7739]

I love that you picked up the prodigy vibes during The Void. They actually sampled from prodigy- Firestarter in their song holy roller

[@ashlenamusic]

STOPPPPPPP love that!

[@silphv]

I get serious anime opening theme song vibes from that song, the mixture of electronic and high energy metal has a really Japanese feel to it.

[@geneandshay]

Greatest ep of 2023 🎉

[@lynnef1988]

I love seeing full album/EP reactions. This EP is definitely a banger! Would love to see this format for their older work too

[@ashlenamusic]

Coming soon!

[@ishouldhelpthisguy]

You'll absolutely love Eternal Blue 💙🩵

[@ashlenamusic]

Ahhhhh can’t wait

[@jhamilton1007]

Perfect album. Especially for a debut album.

[@malreynolds7309]

My first time listening to Jaded, Cellar Door, and Ultraviolet those songs felt underwhelming. I thought they were fine but there was nothing extraordinary. But when I listened to the whole EP and then kept listening to the whole EP the concept and the story Courtney was telling and how it all fit wrapped me up and now I love hearing those songs. My favorite is The Void because I love when Spiritbox does something I didn't expect. Like Rotoscope, it's a song that feels like a cover of a 90s or early 2000s song but is Spiritbox. That's what I love about them. You mentioned the musicians being great and they are. The interesting thing is the musicianship you hear on the album and the EPs is Mike Stringer. Mike writes every instrument and then tracks them all. This is possibly because Courtney and Mike are always together and they live near their producer so it's easier and cheaper to have them do everything. But now that Zev and Josh are members, maybe we will see them featured more on recordings. Courtney said Zev does get input and Josh has contributed vocals so they are on this EP in some ways. Also, on the earlier songs Mike would write all the music and Courtney would come in after and write lyrics and melodies. That changed when their producer said they needed to incorporate Courtney into the whole writing process. I don't know when that happened but it's possible it was as early as the Rotoscope EP. Now they write songs together. A few weeks ago they said they were going to write a second full album and Courtney expressed a desire for them to get more progressive and try for longer songs. We could be seeing a full album in 2025 unless they are farther ahead and it comes out in 2024.

[@lolpalolo]

Love that most of your favorite artists/bands for making videos are also my favorite artists/bands. Its perfect coincidence and I love it.

[@ashlenamusic]

That's cool! We should be friends 😂

[@lolpalolo]

@@ashlenamusic thats what music does!

[@jarred_w]

yeah, you gotta hear the songs back to back then loop it back to cellar door again. unreal!

[@ashlenamusic]

I did!!!!! And it’s AMAZINGGGGGG

[@David_D.926]

So glad you did the full EP. Too Close/Too Late is my favorite off the EP. Isn't it funny when you first hear a song and your like "eh" and then you hear it again in this context and really like it. Look forward to your Spiritbox journey! 💙

[@ashlenamusic]

So funny and I’m glad I gave them another relisten!

[@jhamilton1007]

Eternal Blue is a masterpiece of an album and it really showcases Courtney's vocal range and the bands range. Same with their singles release and self-titled album before that.

[@joshwilliams565]

Holy smokes! You haven't heard Eternal Blue yet?! Can't wait to see what you think of that one.

[@ashlenamusic]

Not yet! Just circle with me!

[@joshwilliams565]

@@ashlenamusic Lucky you. I wish i could listen to Eternal Blue for the first time again.

[@ashlenamusic]

You can with me :) lol

[@cameronmassey7544]

Welp youre hooked now lol Welcome to the party!

[@auralfixxation6702]

You should do the song "Constance" fir a different side to them. Surprisingly emotional.

[@nickthepeasant]

Yes! Cannot wait for Eternal Blue, and yes this is a phenomenal EP

[@rickpearson7943]

This EP is their best work yet imo.

[@UnGranSaurio]

do it all!! they deserve all!

[@AdmiralKnight]

I'm so happy to hear you gush on the band a bit - Courtney is obviously the superstar but Mike essentially writes all the music. Spiritbox wouldn't be who they are without both of them equally. Can't wait to see the rest of your reactions!

[@RC30675]

I would recommend checking out the Jaded guitar playthrough it is great. Can’t wait to see more Spiritbox reactions

[@BW9971]

The Mara Effect songs are cool too.

[@PascalBouffard1978]

You will enjoy Eternal Blue

[@ratpwn]

what a way to open an album.

[@ashlenamusic]

So epic right?

[@drneildurrant]

Love this - I’ve been a metal head for 30 years and Spiritbox are truly extraordinary. You MUST do the Sirius XM live performances of the Mara Effect 1, 2 and 3…

[@ashlenamusic]

Great suggestion!

[@GeekFurious]

You mixed two things up into one. The Sirius XM live performances are in 3 parts but not of the Mara Effect 1, 2, and 3. They do six songs and Mara Effect part 3 is one of them. The Mara Effect 1-3 performance was recorded live at Silverside Sound.

[@jsavage71]

I first saw Spiritbox when they opened up for Ghost/Mastodon in 2022. I knew nothing about them other than Holy Roller. I became obsessed after seeing them perform. In 2023 they are even better live now that Josh's vocals are being used more. Courtney and Josh sound amazing together and I hope to see them used more on the albums. You hear Josh clearly on Too Close/Too Late on the vocal breakdown before the lead.

[@kuneefay]

They’re so good, and amazing live. If you get the opportunity definitely go check them out.

[@francesoxberry6816]

MORE MORE MORE

[@LiquidThunder12]

It's a perfect EP. I'm so glad you liked "Jaded" and "Ultraviolet" this time around. I think Jaded is a perfect modern metal song, and Ultraviolet is a beautiful and fitting ending to the EP

[@ericpeterson7512]

Hey Ash! Great to see you get back to Spiritbox! I loved the individual songs from this EP, but it wasn't until I heard it all together that it really hit me how epic it is. It's really one song in multiple parts, and looping back on itself--like the multiple lives she sings about in the lyrics. There's a haunting, ghostly quality to a lot of their music for me, with the ambient sounds lending space and creepiness. Many have noticed the Stranger Things vibe, both in the Jaded intro, and echoed in the the lyrics in the chorus of Too Close/Too Late. The production on this EP is as good as any I've heard. The vocals especially are absolutely delicious. The looping echoes, morphing synth sounds, Autotune (used creatively for once; I've grown quite sick of it in pop music) and the shifting tonalities of Courtney's voice are so mesmerizing. Pure gold. And when she screams! So brutal and haunting. It really accentuates the ghostly lyrics. I especially love in Jaded where she screams out "What if I was" in response to the "I was never enough." The wounded defiance is emotionally satisfying. There's a sense of fragility, but then it's belied by the powerful roar. Beautiful! This is my favorite Spiritbox. They're just getting better and better. They're supposedly at work on a new album. I can't wait!

[@SuperClarky666]

yes it loops back to the beginning of the ep. have you ever heard holy roller ?it came out during covid times song and video are great maybe watch video after in the reaction would love to see your reaction to how courtney appears in the video.

[@ashlenamusic]

Oh I’m ready to react to all of their stuff!

[@ryanrivers1259]

You should watch their live guitar playthroughs. Insane. There's a song they play called Secret Garden. I recommend that guitar playthrough. Insane

[@ashlenamusic]

On their KZbin???

[@ryanrivers1259]

@@ashlenamusic Yeah just search Spiritbox Secret Garden guitar playthrough.

[@ryanrivers1259]

@@ashlenamusic kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJKsqKtnpL-WasUsi=Ds-eeIQ5G6ZUaL80

[@Trepanation21]

@@ashlenamusic Yeah. Mike Stringer posts them on the "@SpiritboxOfficial" channel on YT. It bears mention that their music videos have been posted on the label's channel "@riserecords". SpiritboxOfficial has a bunch of their informal stuff, like Mike's guitar playthroughs, Zev's drumthroughs, the SiriusXM performances, and Courtney's vocal one-takes.

[@caden__.]

Eternal blue is a masterpiece, the way you talk about vinyls makes me want to spend all of my money irresponsibly lol.

[@ashlenamusic]

That’s what I do 😂

[@NiamorH]

I think Courtney is american despite growing in Canada. They moved to California recently. There are some great tracks on Eternal Blue, but make sure to check their earlier stuff too. And the video "The Mara Effect (live at Silverside Sound)" is their best piece imho.

[@cooltechnician]

Yeah she was born in Alabama.. she hasn't got the Canadian citizenship

[@ashlenamusic]

Yeah I noticed their website is based in America which is annoying since shipping is so insane. Costs the same as the vinyl almost

[@ashlenamusic]

I consider her Canadian lol

[@Trepanation21]

​@@ashlenamusic They definitely are. I was watching an interview with Courtney and Mike on *Loudwire* from a couple weeks ago and they were talking about their earlier bands before they met and while they were interested in each other, and seemingly all of it was in Canada. Courtney was talking a bunch about the little island she lived on that required a ferry to get out and do anything, so she and her brother (the two of them founded her original band "Unicron") barely ever got out to actually go see other bands and do anything lol. IMO, she and Mike are definitely Canadians regardless of where they moved to in their 30s 😂

[@malreynolds7309]

@@ashlenamusic Even if she doesn't have Canadian citizenship, she lived the majority of her teen and adult years in Canada. She is as much Canadian as American.

[@davidriddick82]

I actually love how you have not really gone in order, but it’s really surprising that you did this EP first before going to eternal blue, but that’s OK because I think overall your love of spirit box will grow, can’t wait for you to do more!! THIS EP IS A 10/10 for me and I have watched all your Spiritbox vids

[@DarkestofTimes]

Spiritbox has a ton of good songs but my favorite is probably Electric Cross.

[@jhamilton1007]

Trust Fall and Perennial. @Ashlena would love Trust Fall.

[@FrostedVanity]

You should really checkout Future Palace, I think you'd love them! They're amazing.

[@ericpeterson7512]

I'm possessed by a Malphas!

[@dtpfeiffer]

This was a really solid EP from them and Eternal Blue is equally as good. For me personally, the Singles Collection is where it's at though. Pretty cool they made music videos for all of the songs too. Not something you see from bands very often.

[@ashlenamusic]

That’s true! I’m not a big music video fan but I don’t mind watching them after the fact of hearing their music

[@X_ch4ng3]

🤘😊👍

[@lea.christine.]

As i said in another video, Spiritbox is my all time favorite band. I know you don’t watch music videos, but i beg you to please watch the video if you react to Constance. To be honest Courtney is always slaying in them, so that’s a plus.😂 Can’t wait to see you react to more of them. 💙🦋

[@jhamilton1007]

Courtney is a great actress. Bleach Bath is another Spiritbox video that is a must watch.

[@lea.christine.]

@@jhamilton1007 Honestly all Spiritbox music videos with Courtney are amazing.

[@jhamilton1007]

@@lea.christine. Yes, yes they are. Even the one's she features on. Like with Make Them Suffer and Crown The Empire.

[@lea.christine.]

@@jhamilton1007 Absoutely and we can not forget The Acacia Strain - One Thousand Painful Stings! ☺️

[@nuts4414]

If you want to do another quick EP reaction from SpiritBox, you HAVE to do The Mara Effect. Holy Roller piqued my interest at first, but the Mara Effect made me fall in love with Courtney. She's an absolute beast vocalist

[@ashlenamusic]

I definitely need to do that one

[@auralfixxation6702]

Oh and give a listen to "The Waters Rising" by Oceans Of Slumber for another female in a progressive rock band, though she is not a screamer.

[@jhamilton1007]

Yes, Ultraviolet does blend back in to the first song. You will love Eternal Blue and the stuff they did before that. You think they're talented now. Just wait till you hear those albums. Courtney has said she wants their next album to be more like a Progressive style, which is what their earlier music sounds more like.

[@JMDrummer]

You should check out Jinjer.. I guess start with "Pisces" the live session.. cause everyone does.. then after a few Jinjer songs hopefully you will check out my fav band Periphery!.. love the reactions!!

[@JMDrummer]

First I want to apologize... I should have searched your videos better before commenting.. I see you've went all out on Jinjer.. so no need to check them out.. you've even been to a concert.. lol.. but I didn't see any to Periphery.. so if you haven't and are interested check them out.. maybe something from their latest album.. like "Wildfire" or "Atropos".. although my fav on that album or "Wax Wings".. the singer is Spencer Sotelo.. like a male version of Tati.. can do anything.. anyways.. again I apologize for not searching better the first time.. l8r

[@ashlenamusic]

All good buddy!

[@BW9971]

Listen to green album by Days of the New. The whole album is one big song.

[@traviscue2099]

Spiritbox always dip into more poppy songs, I think these tracks are to remind us that they haven't gone soft. Which is amazing haha

[@sclyon]

I didn't know if you were aware but their current bass player is formerly of the heavy metal band As I Lay Dying. As I Lay Dying is a significantly heavier band than Spirit Box so I would assume that as long as Josh is in Spirit Box, they are going to be heavier sounding than their previous stuff. Especially since the bass guitar is a significant portion of the Rhythm Section of any band. I enjoyed your video by the way.

[@sclyon]

Also if you react to any As I Lay Dying and you hear clean singing that was Josh

[@ashlenamusic]

NO WAYYYYY!!!!!!!! I like that band!

[@ericpeterson7512]

Yeah with Josh in Spiritbox is way heavy. Cellar Door and Angel Eyes are deathly heavy!

[@malreynolds7309]

But Josh is not a songwriter in Spiritbox. Mike writes the bass and drums too.

[@ericpeterson7512]

@@malreynolds7309 yeah but he brings his sound and playing. One doesn't have to be a credited writer in order to influence the playing on an album.

[@frankh9600]

Yeah, they're harder unexpectedly. Initially listened to Blessed Be and though, umm, typical North American AOR, nicely produced but boring. Thus only came back on the roller coaster by chance with another reactor with Rule of Nines, this changed my perception a bit. 😂

[@ashlenamusic]

Hahaha glad to hear!

[@FixNewsPlease]

Your manmade sunshine reaction. Is it just me? "Video unavailable This video contains content from SME, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds" I've tried both a US and Canadian VPN server.

[@ashlenamusic]

It’s blocked but I have it in dispute

[@FixNewsPlease]

@@ashlenamusic Wasn't sure you knew, buddy.

[@ashlenamusic]

appreciate it!

[@oldmanjimh3165]

Said it before, good music, good cleans but not a fan of her harsh vocals.

[@ashlenamusic]

That’s ok!!

[@franckthibault2521]

It's good, but in this genre, I much prefer Tati's voice & Eugene bass playing, but everyone's entitled to their options and to have different tastes.... I will go back and listen to your other Spiritbox reactions!

[@ashlenamusic]

Ha I think there’s only a couple and I wasn’t fond of the songs that much. I’ll be doing more soon!

[@franckthibault2521]

@@ashlenamusic I just listen to all of your reactions: the only thing I like more the Jinjer is the % of singing vs growling (lower growling), but I am not sure I would want a 100% singing Jinjer song like in Ultraviolet....

[@ashlenamusic]

I get that. Can’t wait to look into more spiritbox though!

[@ronaldgeorge7110]

How can anyone call this music. IT SUCKS

[@ashlenamusic]

It might suck to you but it brings other people joy like myself.

[@ericpeterson7512]

I guess everything sucks to somebody lol. In fact this music is loaded with extremely talented playing, singing, lyricism and songwriting. Only musicians who've been playing for quite a while could have produced this mature of an EP. Appreciate the style or not, objectively it does not suck.

[@RommerskirchenFrank]

😊 not for me 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ashlenamusic]

Hahahaha

[@sabiniofcea]

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