(Hard Rock Live, Orlando FL) Spiritbox’s 2025 “Tsunami Sea” North American tour, featuring Loathe and Dying Wish, found its way into central Florida and was a showcase of diverse metal styles and emotionally charged performances. Each band brought its unique approach to the stage, offering metal-headed audiences a guitar-laden and vocal growling-filled, multifaceted experience.
There were 2 front acts ahead of Spiritbox, the first of which was Dying Wish. Dying Wish brought a raw and unrelenting energy to the lineup, rooted in hardcore and metalcore traditions. Their performance was characterized by relentless riffs, powerful drumming, and impassioned vocals, which delivered a visceral experience that resonated with fans of intense, aggressive music.
Straight out of Liverpool England, the second act, Loathe, presented a contrasting style, characterized by a fusion of metalcore, nu-metal, and post-metal influences. Their set was a dynamic interplay of aggressive breakdowns and ambient passages, which reflected their experimental approach to metal. Vocalist Kadeem France’s stage presence was notable; he remained engaged with the audience even during instrumental segments, which enhanced the overall intensity of their performance. Loathe’s use of atmospheric interludes and minimalist elements added a cinematic quality to Tuesday night's show, distinguishing them within the contemporary metal scene.
Spiritbox delivered a set that seamlessly blended ethereal melodies with crushing heaviness. Courtney LaPlante’s vocal range was the highlight; her transitions from hauntingly clean vocals to ferocious growls were executed with precision, captivating the audience throughout the night. The band’s musicality was marked by djent-inspired riffs and atmospheric synths, creating a soundscape that was both intricate and immersive. Their set was further enhanced by visual elements, including dynamic lighting and screen projections, which added depth to the emotional resonance of their music.
While similarities existed between the bands, what made the show interesting is that there were definitely distinctions between the 3. Spiritbox stood out for their polished fusion of melody and heaviness, Loathe for their genre-blending experimentalism, and Dying Wish for their straightforward, high-energy assault. This combination offered the fans at Hard Rock a comprehensive exploration of modern metal’s emotional and stylistic spectrum.
Admittedly, I do not have a lot of familiarity with this genre of music, but I do respect what I heard and saw. There was definite musicality in the heavy riffs, certainly there was significance within the lyrics, and there was an absurd amount of talent displayed by each musician on stage this night. I would definitely love the opportunity to check out any of these 3 bands again if any were to come back to central Florida. I would highly recommend for you to do the same!
-- Bailey Guinigundo
There were 2 front acts ahead of Spiritbox, the first of which was Dying Wish. Dying Wish brought a raw and unrelenting energy to the lineup, rooted in hardcore and metalcore traditions. Their performance was characterized by relentless riffs, powerful drumming, and impassioned vocals, which delivered a visceral experience that resonated with fans of intense, aggressive music.
Straight out of Liverpool England, the second act, Loathe, presented a contrasting style, characterized by a fusion of metalcore, nu-metal, and post-metal influences. Their set was a dynamic interplay of aggressive breakdowns and ambient passages, which reflected their experimental approach to metal. Vocalist Kadeem France’s stage presence was notable; he remained engaged with the audience even during instrumental segments, which enhanced the overall intensity of their performance. Loathe’s use of atmospheric interludes and minimalist elements added a cinematic quality to Tuesday night's show, distinguishing them within the contemporary metal scene.
Spiritbox delivered a set that seamlessly blended ethereal melodies with crushing heaviness. Courtney LaPlante’s vocal range was the highlight; her transitions from hauntingly clean vocals to ferocious growls were executed with precision, captivating the audience throughout the night. The band’s musicality was marked by djent-inspired riffs and atmospheric synths, creating a soundscape that was both intricate and immersive. Their set was further enhanced by visual elements, including dynamic lighting and screen projections, which added depth to the emotional resonance of their music.
While similarities existed between the bands, what made the show interesting is that there were definitely distinctions between the 3. Spiritbox stood out for their polished fusion of melody and heaviness, Loathe for their genre-blending experimentalism, and Dying Wish for their straightforward, high-energy assault. This combination offered the fans at Hard Rock a comprehensive exploration of modern metal’s emotional and stylistic spectrum.
Admittedly, I do not have a lot of familiarity with this genre of music, but I do respect what I heard and saw. There was definite musicality in the heavy riffs, certainly there was significance within the lyrics, and there was an absurd amount of talent displayed by each musician on stage this night. I would definitely love the opportunity to check out any of these 3 bands again if any were to come back to central Florida. I would highly recommend for you to do the same!
-- Bailey Guinigundo
Spiritbox Pics:
Dying Wish pics:
Loathe pics: