The Fear of Fear

The Fear of Fear
EP by
Spiritbox
ReleasedNovember 3, 2023 (2023-11-03)
RecordedJanuary 2023
StudioThe Hallway (Woodland Hills)
Length25:02
Label
Producer
Spiritbox chronology
Rotoscope
(2022) 		The Fear of Fear
(2023) 		Tsunami Sea
(2025)
Singles from The Fear of Fear
  1. "The Void"
    Released: April 19, 2023
  2. "Jaded"
    Released: August 25, 2023
  3. "Cellar Door"
    Released: October 13, 2023
  4. "Ultraviolet"
    Released: November 3, 2023

The Fear of Fear is the fourth extended play (EP) by Canadian heavy metal band Spiritbox. It was released on November 3, 2023, through Pale Chord and Rise Records. It is their first EP to chart, peaking at number 116 on the Billboard 200.

Release

"The Void" was released as the lead single on April 19, 2023.[1][2] The second single, "Jaded", was released on August 25, along with the announcement of the EP.[3][4] The third single, "Cellar Door", was released on October 13.[5][6] The Fear of Fear EP was released on November 3, 2023 through Pale Chord and Rise.[3][4] On the same day of the EP's release, the band released a music video for the songs, "Ultraviolet"[7][8] and "Angel Eyes".[9][10] They also released a music video for the song, "Too Close/Too Late", on November 4.[9][11]

Promotion

On May 2, 2023, the band was announced as support for the fall leg of Shinedown's Revolutions Live tour along with Papa Roach.[12][13] They preceded this tour with a performance at Rock am Ring in June.[14]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Dork[15]
Metal Hammer[16]
Metal Injection9/10[17]
Wall of Sound9.5/10[18]

The Fear of Fear received positive reviews from critics. Ali Shutler of Dork wrote "The Fear Of Fear is a tightly wound record that showcases a band growing in confidence and getting increasingly comfortable with what they are."[15] Dannii Leivers of Metal Hammer wrote, "Spiritbox could have easily...[rushed] out Eternal Blue v2, but instead, this is the sound of a band deciding where they want to go, unaffected by the weight of expectation, and taking us along for the ride."[16] Jordan Blum of Metal Injection stated, "its truncated duration prevents it from feeling as epic and substantial as Eternal Blue, but its masterful sequencing...still provide plenty of enticing and inventive connective tissues."[17] Paul Brown writing for Wall of Sound felt that "Whether it’s the soul-crushing heavy hits or the softly delivered melodic rock songs, they always keep us guessing and they’re only getting better with each release they unleash."[18]

The song, "Jaded", earned a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance.[19][20][21] "Cellar Door", was nominated for Best Metal Performance the following year.[22]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Courtney LaPlante; all music is composed by Courtney LaPlante, Mike Stringer and Daniel Braunstein.

The Fear of Fear track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Cellar Door"4:43
2."Jaded"4:22
3."Too Close / Too Late"4:41
4."Angel Eyes"3:28
5."The Void"3:40
6."Ultraviolet"4:08
Total length:25:02

Personnel

Personnel per liner notes.[23]

Spiritbox

  • Courtney LaPlante – vocals
  • Mike Stringer – guitars, bass, drums, backing vocals (tracks 2, 3 and 6)
  • Zev Rosenberg – drums
  • Josh Gilbert – backing vocals (tracks 2, 3, 5 and 6)

Production

Charts

Chart performance for The Fear of Fear
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[24] 47
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[25] 7
UK Albums Sales (OCC)[26] 44
UK Physical Albums (OCC)[27] 43
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[28] 13
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[29] 5
US Billboard 200[30] 116
US Top Independent Albums (Billboard)[31] 25

References

  1. ^ Kennelty, Greg (April 19, 2023). "Spiritbox Drops Catchy New Single "The Void"". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "Spiritbox Releases New Single 'The Void'". Blabbermouth.net. April 19, 2023. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Spiritbox Announces 'The Fear Of Fear' EP, Shares 'Jaded' Music Video". Blabbermouth.net. August 25, 2023. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Spiritbox announce new EP, The Fear of Fear, share "Jaded"". Alternative Press. August 25, 2023. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  5. ^ "Spiritbox Releases New Single 'Cellar Door'". Blabbermouth.net. October 13, 2023. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  6. ^ DiVita, Joe (October 13, 2023). "Fans React to Ultra Heavy New Spiritbox Song 'Cellar Door'". Loudwire. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  7. ^ "Spiritbox Releases 'Ultraviolet' Music Video". Blabbermouth.net. November 3, 2023. Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  8. ^ "Spiritbox share sleek, one-take video for "Ultraviolet"". Alternative Press. November 3, 2023. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Spiritbox Debut "Angel Eyes" Music Video". The PRP. November 3, 2023. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  10. ^ Enis, Eli (November 3, 2023). "See Spiritbox's video for heavy-as-hell new song "Angel Eyes"". Revolver. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  11. ^ "See Spiritbox's gorgeous video for new song "Too Close/Too Late"". Revolver. November 4, 2023. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  12. ^ "Shinedown Announces September/October 2023 U.S. Tour With Papa Roach And Spiritbox". Blabbermouth.net. May 2, 2023. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  13. ^ DiVita, Joe (May 2, 2023). "Shinedown Announce 2023 Tour Dates with Papa Roach + Spiritbox". Loudwire. Archived from the original on May 2, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  14. ^ von Angrick, Vanessa (June 4, 2023). ""Rock am Ring" 2023 live im Stream: Alle Infos zur Übertragung". Augsberger Allgemeine (in German). Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Shutler, Ali (November 3, 2023). "Spiritbox The Fear of Fear EP". Dork. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Leivers, Dannii (November 9, 2023). "Spiritbox The Fear of Fear Metal Hammer Review". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Blum, Jordan (November 8, 2023). "EP Review: Spiritbox The Fear of Fear". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Brown, Paul (November 2, 2023). "Spiritbox – The Fear of Fear (EP Review)". Wall of Sound. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  19. ^ Enis, Eli (November 10, 2023). "Ghost, Slipknot, Spiritbox, more nominated for 2024 Grammys". Revolver. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  20. ^ Wilson-Taylor, James (November 10, 2023). "Grammy Awards 2024: Paramore, Spiritbox & Ghost Among Nominees". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  21. ^ "Grammy Awards 2024: Metallica, Disturbed And Slipknot Among 'Best Metal Performance' Nominees". Blabbermouth.net. November 10, 2023. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  22. ^ "Grammy Awards 2025: Metallica, Judas Priest And Gojira Among 'Best Metal Performance' Nominees". Blabbermouth.net. November 8, 2023. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  23. ^ Spiritbox (2023). The Fear of Fear (booklet). Pale Chord Music/Rise Records. Rise 533-2.
  24. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  25. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart". Official Charts Company. November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  26. ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart". Official Charts Company. November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  27. ^ "Official Physical Albums Chart". Official Charts Company. November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  28. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  29. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  30. ^ "Billboard 200: Week of November 18, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  31. ^ "Independent Albums: Week of November 18, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2023.