An Emotionally Charged Show from Spiritbox, with Unforgettable Melodies from Jinjer and Dying Wish

On September 25, 2026, Canadian heavy metal outfit Spiritbox stopped off in the Czech capital as part of their Tsunami Sea Tour. Their venue of choice could be none other than Prague's Forum Karlín. The band was formed in 2017 by guitarist Mike Stringer and lead vocalist Courtney LaPlante. Their sound is almost industrial in nature, with a well-balanced instrumental component. Their genre could be described as progressive or alternative metal, while Courtney's vocals lean more towards R&B. They rose to prominence with their debut album Eternal Blue, which took them on their very first North American headline tour in 2023. In 2025, they released an album titled Tsunami Sea, bringing their distinctive sound to the very heart of Europe for the first time but, as the band themselves hinted, certainly not the last. Fans could look forward to loud music packed with emotion and spectacular lighting.

Some fans had been waiting for this concert since early morning to make sure they got a good view, despite the event offering VIP early entry. Fans who paid extra for VIP had the opportunity to enter the venue first, check out the merch, and receive their own gifts, including a signed card, a hanging flag, stickers, and pins. After speaking to some of the people who had purchased VIP packages, I found that, in their opinion, the experience was not entirely ideal.

The show was opened by two other big names, both fronted by women. The first act to take the stage was the American band Dying Wish from Portland, originally known as Trust Issues (2016–2017). The band, whose sound leans more towards melodic metalcore, also appeared at this year's Rock for People festival. Their set sparked huge emotions and brought the crowd together. I found their performance particularly energetic, and I really like their style. I'd previously had the chance to see them play at a deathcore festival in England, where I thought they were amazing, so I was incredibly excited to see them open the show in Prague as well. Lead vocalist Emma Boster interacted with the audience a lot and even chatted with individual fans between songs. Before the show, I caught a glimpse of her coming into the venue. She was very friendly and greeted everyone who waved at her or approached her in person.

The second band we had to look forward to was Jinjer, a Ukrainian metalcore outfit. Compared to Dying Wish, their performance was much calmer, allowing fans to enjoy the show without having to mosh. They had already made a name for themselves back in 2012 with the album Inhale, Don't Breathe. Guitarist Roman Ibramkhalilov stole much of the spotlight, astonishing everyone present with his solo. Lead vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk demonstrated an incredible vocal range and fantastic communication with the crowd. It didn't feel like I was watching a support act, but rather a headline show in its own right.

As Spiritbox finally took to the stage, tension filled the entire venue. The voice ringing out across the hall sounded almost angelic. When the curtain dropped and Courtney LaPlante appeared through the smoke, most fans got goosebumps. They opened their set with Fata Morgana, a song that made the floor tremble beneath our feet while the crowd's excitement reached incredible heights. Many fans had been looking forward to hearing their best-known track, Circle With Me, which arrived halfway through the show. Over the course of the hour and a half, we experienced every side of a metal concert: crowdsurfing, the mosh pit, and even tears. The crowd went wild during the final three songs, keeping security extremely busy catching crowdsurfers luckily, the guards were always alert and ready. One of the loudest reactions came for Holy Roller, one of the band's best-known tracks. They closed the show with their new song Mourning, released less than three weeks before their Prague appearance. For many people, myself included, it was the song that brought a tear to our eyes. After everyone had left the stage, fans gathered to chat about their impressions of the show. It was lovely to feel such a friendly, positive atmosphere before, during, and after the performance. During one break, Courtney even received gifts, including a deer skull, bracelets, drawings, and other items. It was clear how much she cares about her fans and that the feeling is mutual.

Kat