"It's their first real test as torchbearers for metal's future." Spiritbox beat Sleep Token, Ghost and Bring Me The Horizon to get into arenas - but they're still finding their feet

In a striking demonstration of rapid growth, Canadian metal band Spiritbox has transitioned from intimate club venues to headlining major arenas in the UK within just four years. Their recent performance at Manchester’s Co-Op Live marked a significant milestone, highlighting their accelerated rise compared to peers like Sleep Token, Ghost, and Bring Me The Horizon, who each took considerably longer to reach similar stages.

Though Co-Op Live was not at full capacity—with sections curtained off and the venue operating at roughly half its size—the achievement underscores a changing of the guard in the metal world. Spiritbox’s ascent is notable for its speed and the fact that they are carrying the torch for the genre’s future without relying on veteran acts to fill their lineup.

Supporting Spiritbox on this arena tour were the rising bands Jinjer and Dying Wish, both of whom are also navigating the transition to larger stages. Jinjer, hailing from Ukraine, has built a reputation for their technical and progressive metal style, but the arena setting presents challenges in capturing the same intensity and connection as smaller venues. Despite these hurdles, vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk’s dynamic vocal range—switching from melodic passages to aggressive snarls—commands attention, though the band continues to adapt their performance to the expansive space.

Songs like “Perennial” and “Call Me A Symbol” deliver the band's signature mix of ferocity and intricate musicianship, though the set's emphasis on complex arrangements over anthemic hooks means audience engagement varies. Their performance improves noticeably in the latter half, with tracks such as “I Speak Astronomy” and “Judgement & Punishment” energizing the crowd, while the standout single “Pisces” showcases their ability to blend progressive metal with accessible melodies.

Spiritbox's journey to arena headliners has been punctuated by notable festival appearances, including a memorable debut at Download Festival and a landmark show at Alexandra Palace, capping their "Eternal Blue" album cycle. The current Tsunami Sea tour represents an important phase in solidifying their status within the upper tiers of metal acts.

The band’s live presentation incorporates theatrical elements, such as their dramatic stage entrance behind a towering curtain and Courtney LaPlante’s projected silhouette, creating anticipation before launching into high-energy tracks like “Fata Morgana” and “Black Rainbow.” However, the band’s full momentum often builds only after several songs, particularly with crowd favorites “Perfect Soul” and “Keep Sweet” which help foster a communal atmosphere.

Their use of visual effects, including light shows, streamers, and bubble machines during the title track “Tsunami Sea,” reveals a deliberate effort to enhance the concert experience and evolve beyond a straightforward metal performance. Nonetheless, Spiritbox are still refining their setlist sequencing and pacing for larger venues, as the current show sometimes loses momentum, especially during extended instrumental sections.

The latter part of the set includes pivotal songs like “Holy Roller,” recognized as a breakthrough track for the band, and “Circle With Me,” which, although powerful, arrives prematurely as a climax, leaving the final songs to feel like an anti-climactic wind-down. This pacing challenge is reflected in some audience members departing early, a common issue when shows stretch late into school nights.

Despite these growing pains, Spiritbox deliver memorable moments with tracks like “Crystal Roses,” which blends trance elements into their sound, and the new single “Mourning,” which evokes atmospheric textures reminiscent of Deftones. These highlights indicate the band’s potential to craft larger, more resonant anthems to fill arena stages more convincingly.

Spiritbox’s trajectory echoes the experiences of metal giants like Metallica and Ghost, who adapted their songwriting to suit expansive venues by developing more anthemic material after initial struggles with complex compositions in large spaces. The band’s current challenges with arena-scale dynamics suggest that their forthcoming work may further elevate their live impact.

As Spiritbox continues to define their place at the forefront of metal’s evolving landscape, their rapid rise and willingness to experiment with performance elements signal a promising future. While still finding their footing in the arena environment, they exemplify a new generation of metal artists poised to shape the genre’s direction in the years ahead.