SPIRITBOX MAKES LATE-NIGHT TV DEBUT WITH EXPLOSIVE PERFORMANCE OF “SOFT SPINE” ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE
Photo: Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Spiritbox made their U.S. network television debut in unforgettable fashion on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Monday night, unleashing a ferocious performance of “Soft Spine” that immediately set social media ablaze. The Canadian progressive-metal heavyweights didn’t dial anything back for late-night — they brought the full force of their sonic intensity straight into millions of living rooms.
The band, introduced by guest host Anthony Anderson, launched into the set with stark monochrome visuals and unwavering conviction. Courtney LaPlante’s voice moved seamlessly from piercing screams to haunting melodies, matched by razor-sharp guitar work and punishing drums. It was a bold choice to bring one of their heaviest tracks to a mainstream stage, and Spiritbox proved they weren’t there to play it safe. “Soft Spine,” taken from their critically acclaimed 2025 album Tsunami Sea, felt massive and uncompromising.
This performance is more than just a milestone for Spiritbox — it’s another sign that heavy music is storming the mainstream. Following in the footsteps of Knocked Loose and Body Count, who recently appeared on late-night stages, Spiritbox's Kimmel debut signals a growing appetite for heavy, genre-pushing artists in places they’ve historically been ignored.
The response has been overwhelming. Metal sites like Loudwire and Metal Injection praised the performance as “vicious” and “skull-smashing,” and fans across Reddit and social platforms echoed the sentiment. Many called it one of the best televised metal performances in recent memory.
The timing couldn’t be better. Spiritbox’s album Tsunami Sea, released in March via Pale Chord/Rise, continues to chart and earn critical acclaim. The band has also announced a major North American tour kicking off this November, with support from Periphery and Honey Revenge. The Kimmel performance further cements their place at the forefront of modern heavy music — not just in the scene, but in the culture at large.
If you missed it, Spiritbox’s performance of “Soft Spine” is now available to stream online — and if it’s any indication, they’re just getting started. This wasn’t just a late-night debut. It was a declaration.