Having a hit song is one thing, but maintaining that momentum and building on it, is certainly not a common feat in the music industry. We have seen one too many artists drop hit songs at the beginning of their career, and somehow find it hard to replicate that success again throughout their career.
But that’s not the case for Spiritbox, a band that amassed 66 million streams before they had completed their first album, and managed to keep that up – growing their streaming numbers to 155 million following the release of Eternal Blue, which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and hit the top position on the U.S. and Canadian Rock and Hard Rock charts.
Spiritbox is a Canadian rock band with a euphoric sense of the supernatural running through everything they do. Named after a device some belief is capable of communicating with the dead, they are famous for their innovative use of heavy metal, ethereal stylings, and themes related to spirituality and self-discovery.
This has frequently caused people to wonder, including both fans and critics, “Is Spiritbox a Christian band?”
We’ll examine that query in this piece by looking at the band’s background, their lyrics, and their musical influences. By taking all of these things into account, we hope to offer a thorough analysis that will undoubtedly enable us to decide whether the band is actually a Christian band.
The Definition of a Christian Band
Before we can determine whether or not Spiritbox is a Christian band, it is crucial to define what it means for a band to be “Christian.”
There are many ways to define “Christian music,” and what one person considers to be Christian music may not be the same as what another person believes.
Some people might define Christian music as any music that explicitly mentions God or Jesus, or that focuses on themes of faith and spirituality. Others might describe it more broadly, independent of the themes or the lyrics, as any music created by Christians and expressing Christian principles.
The Bible, Christian themes, and messages, as well as lyrics that specifically mention Christ Jesus (who is the center of Christianity and the Christian church), are a few traits that should be present in any piece classified as Christian music. But that is not a hard-and-fast rule.
Christian music can be found in many genres, including rock, pop, folk, hip-hop, and many others. It also comes in a wide range of styles. Christian themes or messages can be found in songs by bands who identify as Christians as well as bands whose members do not necessarily identify as Christians but nevertheless produce Christian music.
In the music industry, Christian bands and singers tend to identify as such either because they are openly religious and want to express their faith via their music or because they think their music is in keeping with Christian values. Many Christian bands and performers do not always care for the label and would rather make music for larger audiences.
Spiritbox: Brief History and Background
Spiritbox is a 2017-founded Canadian alternative metal band from Victoria, British Columbia. Vocalist Courtney LaPlante and guitarist Michael Stringer made the decision to recreate their technical musical focus in a new creative direction after touring the globe with the renowned and eccentric metal band Iwrestledabearonce.
They left IWABO, got married along the way, and put a lot of effort into fusing Michael’s incredibly powerful guitar riffs with Courtney’s sense of singing style and lyrical brilliance. With the publication of their self-titled debut EP the following year, their new band, Spiritbox, immediately acquired an impressive fan base.
Spiritbox has released one complete album, “Eternal Blue,” two EPs, “Spiritbox” and “Rotoscope,” as well as a handful of successful singles since its formation.
LaPlante, who is the primary lyricist for the band, has stated that she often writes about her own personal experiences and struggles and that her lyrics often reflect her own journey of self-discovery. In interviews, she has also mentioned that she is heavily influenced by her background in classical music and opera, which is evident in the band’s use of clean vocals and intricate melodies.
As for the band themselves, it’s their love of experimentation and flamboyant songwriting that makes Spiritbox stand out from the crowd. The elements that make Spiritbox such a special band – fierce intensity, unwavering emotion, and technical splendor – are present across all their songs, but the formula is never once repeated.
The band members have maintained their modesty and gratitude for their expanding fan base despite their success. They have underlined in interviews that they don’t chase celebrity or money; rather, they concentrate on making authentic and meaningful music.
In general, Spiritbox’s history is one of perseverance, determination, and a steadfast dedication to good music and never compromising their values.
Is Spiritbox a Religious Band?
The band members have largely refrained from mentioning their own religious convictions in interviews, saying they would rather keep them private. They have also highlighted that they do not wish to push any particular views or messages on their listeners and that their music is designed to be freely interpreted.
However, there are a few hints that may help us understand the band members’ respective religious upbringings. For instance, LaPlante has stated in interviews that her family is “extremely religious” and that she was reared in a Christian home. She has, however, added that she doesn’t strictly adhere to any one religion or creed because her personal ideas have changed over time.
Despite this, it is evident that Spiritbox draws inspiration for its music from a variety of sources, including their own experiences as well as books, art, and other types of media.
Analysis of Lyrics and Themes from Spiritbox’s Music
“Rule of Nines”
The song’s main theme is about a person who has been taken captive by a cruel oppressor who tortures them, and how their complex relationship with this oppressor contains elements of fear and hate as well as rising helplessness and a certain level of need to flatter them.
“I offer my life
Cursed in this shrine
Broken roots entwined
And I feel my insides breaking down
I, I had a dream of schism, force the Rule of Nines
Living in premonition, flowing from
The same place I learned to give in
In time I learned the rules of a sadist
Entwined till there’s nothing left to strain
No body full of pain to take from…
…So I lay myself down in the shape of a body”
The name alone, which appears a few times in the lyrics, lends validity to the subject matter and setting of the song. When you “force the rule of nines,” you are implying that you are compelling someone to harm you. The rule of nines is a mechanism for determining the degree of injury a body has endured.
You are driven to think of agony, confinement, and suffering as you listen to the music, but from a different perspective. At some point, the song begins to have a dreamlike or spiritual quality, yet there is never anything explicitly Christian about it.
“Trust Fall”
Trust Fall has the impression of being about someone reflecting on the circumstances that lead to a tragic breakup or death. The narrator makes an effort to discuss the hurt; tries to assign responsibility while absolving themselves of the majority of it; and at the same time, sounds concerned and is checking on the subject of the failed love.
“This is a trust fall
I couldn’t commit
You look alive like there’s color inside
You wither away
If you could see me now
I’m not the one
Who disconnected
To hurt someone
Was never my intent(ions are wrong)
Were you affected?”
Everyone who has been through a breakup at some point may identify with this emotion. However, despite being extremely relatable, the song makes no mention whatsoever of Christianity or the Christian faith.
“Blessed Be”
Even though the song’s title suggests a spiritual or even Christian theme, the music itself could not have been more dissimilar.
Blessed Be, like the songs we already analysed, is about love – newfound love precisely. The narrator appears to be thankful for the object of the song and at the same time wary about the future and their time with them.
“I say my blessings all for you
I feel it fade from the inside
I open up to adore you but everything
Was just a crutch to preserve life
And if I lose myself
Blessed be, I could survive in these chemicals for you
A lonely fool above
Just out of reach
I could survive in these chemicals only for you”
The song has no explicit references to the Christian faith or even to spirituality. Whilst being a great listen, it speaks to the heart in Spiritbox’s usual fashion and conveys a relatable message. Love, indeed, is a universal language.
“Holy Roller”
Spiritbox addresses religion and faith in “Holy Roller,” the only song on the album that, albeit unexpectedly, makes a direct reference to Christianity. The song is built on the idea, or at least the image, of faith and is packed with references to Nazareth, seraphims (angels), fall from grace, paradises, blood being turned into wine, take-of-my-body-this-bread, etc.
“Holy Roller sits in the garden we fled
Blood into wine, take my body instead
Stand
To the left of me
In paradise
Holy Ghosts will
Born of blood
In seraphim
To grip the Nazarene
Crown of God
You wear it thin
To come and rapture me”
An overzealous member of an evangelical Christian group is best described as a “holy roller” if they exhibit their religious ecstasy by shaking uncontrollably and falling all over themselves. They are the ones that poison the well for others in order to arbitrarily and selfishly advance their own spiritual points, and the song appears to be an indictment against them.
I believe it is all expressed in the song’s first line: “Holy roller sits in the garden we fled.” It is about those who simply want heaven for themselves and will do whatever it takes to get it.
In their one song that does reference Christianity and the Christian faith, we see Spiritbox go all out in attack (and rightfully so) of ”holy rollers” who do not mind putting others down for their own selfish climb. I prefer to look beyond all that, and instead, focus on the words unsaid.
For someone to be critical of others in like manner, the person must have a sort of authority or substantial knowledge within the field. The narrator writes from a place of authority, thereby lending credence to the fact that the band does actually have strong religious ties even though it does not direct their music.
But there is still a chance that the song, like all good artistic works, has an actual meaning that is different from the very obvious. While looking at the song as their one creative work that does reference Christianity, the lyrics could still very well be deceiving and far from the intended meaning.
Overall, the themes present in Spiritbox songs, like most rock bands, include love, self-discovery, the search for meaning, overcoming adversity, and the power of belief.
Some of the lyrics may contain references to spirituality and Christianity, which could potentially be interpreted as referencing a belief in the Christian faith, but they could also be seen in a more general sense as celebrating the human spirit and the power of belief. They may not be enough to conclude that Spiritbox is a Christian band.
Is Spiritbox a Satanic Band?
Their music frequently explores themes of love, grief, and redemption that are universal, but not meant to be specifically demonic or to promote satanic ideologies. Therefore, labeling Spiritbox a satanic band is both inaccurate and unfair.
It is important to remember that the term “satanic” is frequently used to describe music or other artistic works that are perceived to explicitly advocate or praise Satan or the rituals of Satanism.
In general, Spiritbox’s music is secular in character and deals with real human themes, which is certainly insufficient to classify the band as a Satanic one.
Is Spiritbox a Christian Band?
After considering all the factors and evidence highlighted above, we simply cannot call Spiritbox a Christian band.
Their one song that references the Christian faith can be interpreted in diverse ways. They have also released sound songs over the years which have definitely impacted the lives of many all over the continent, but those are not enough to label them a Christian band.
The band has mentioned in interviews that they would rather not be referred to as a Christian band. We do not see a reason to disagree with them.
Conclusion
Spiritbox’s status as a Christian band is a matter of personal reflection and preference.
But whether Spiritbox is a Christian band or not, their music and message are ultimately more important. It is evident that their music has the power to affect and energize listeners and inspire people to think about the more profound themes of life and faith, regardless of which way the pendulum swings.
Spiritbox’s music’s overarching themes and goals act as a constant reminder that, in spite of our differences, the human spirit is a strong force for good in a world that occasionally feels polarized and politicized.
We would like to know your opinion on the subject. Is Spiritbox a Christian band? Do you agree with our submission or do you have any further reasons that make you believe otherwise?
Let us know in the comments!