Two years ago one of the fastest rising bands in the metal space Spiritbox would take to the House of Blues Orlando to celebrate the release of their career launch pad record Eternal Blue. Two years later, they’re back even bigger than before… this time taking to the stage at Hard Rock Live to support their newest release Tsunami Sea bringing with them a dynamic pair of supporting acts in heavy music standouts Dying Wish and Loathe.
Leading off the night was Portland metalcore/hardcore act Dying Wish, a band who I’ve caught in a festival environment but never in a full “concert” capacity, so I was curious to see how they sounded in the change of setting and they absolutely delivered, improving on what was already an incredibly solid live performance bringing their brand of aggressive, crushing, hardcore-tinged metalcore to the Hard Rock Live stage. Playing a mix of tracks old and new with highlights such as “Enemies in Red”, “Watch my Promise Die,” and their newest release “I Brought you my Soul (Your World Brought me Despair.)” To a hardcore crowd that was ready to move with one of the most high energy pits I’ve seen for an opener at Hard Rock.
Following them was who are in my opinion one of the best live acts going right now, the shoegaze, hardcore fusing band Loathe, who shocked the world at the beginning of this tour by leading off with a brand new unreleased track to begin their set, the first new track from the band in years. What followed this however was the band continuing to perform at the high level that’s become their trademark, crushing tracks such as “Gored” interwoven with their more atmospheric and emotional offerings like “Is it Really You?” With the energy and force that translates from record straight to their live performance.
Closing the night was of course the aforementioned Spiritbox, two years removed from their last headliner and appearance in Orlando ready to once again take to an even bigger stage than before. Beginning their set with the opening chat off of ‘Tsunami Sea’ “Fata Morgana” to set the opening tone for their performance. Performing a predominantly ‘Tsunami Sea’ heavy set whilst still taking time to perform famous Eternal Blue tracks like “Holy Roller”, the entire 2022 Rotoscope EP and tracks from the 2023 release of The Fear of Fear. The band has some of the most captivating and commanding stage presence of anyone running the metal circuit right now, which of course starts with the sheer force and power from vocalist Courtney LaPlante, be it on the heavy tracks like “No Loss, No Love” or “Black Rainbow” but also the sensational singing performances on softer more open tracks like “Perfect Soul” or “The Void.” To cap off and deliver on what will go down as one of 2025’s strongest tour packages.
