by Spiritbox singer Courtney LaPlante recently shared her thoughts on the renewed interest in theatrical aspects of heavier rock music. She explained how younger generations have transformed the metal scene, Billboard reported.
LaPlante addressed the growing popularity of theatrical bands like Sleep Token and Ghost. She attributed this shift to a more open-minded approach from Gen Z listeners.
“I think that kids are just so much more open and less close minded about what art they’re consuming,” she said. “It’s not cool to dislike someone for being weird anymore. It’s not cool to be like the cool kid in class making fun of the goth kid for liking [’90s gothic metal band] Type 0 Negative.”
The vocalist emphasized how this cultural shift has positively impacted the metal community.
“People want to show that they’re well rounded and that they have an eclectic music taste… And that makes me very happy, because I think that’s one of the things that’s been missing from metal music in the last decade or so — the youth listener,” she continued.
LaPlante’s observations reflect a broader trend in how Spiritbox and similar bands are connecting with younger audiences through diverse platforms and creative approaches.
Louder Sound revealed that LaPlante recently collaborated on an electro-metal song titled Ties That Bind for the fighting game 2XKO. This demonstrates her engagement with contemporary multimedia projects that appeal to Gen Z’s gaming culture. This collaboration represents the kind of cross-platform creativity that resonates with younger metal fans who consume music across various media formats.
The integration of metal music into gaming platforms reflects the genre’s evolution beyond traditional concert venues. Riot Games, the publisher of 2XKO, has established a pattern of working with rock and metal artists. This includes collaborations with nu-metal icon Linkin Park and instrumental rock band Polyphia, as Louder Sound noted. This trend illustrates how metal bands are reaching youth audiences through channels that align with Gen Z’s diverse entertainment consumption habits.
Spiritbox’s experimental style and LaPlante’s willingness to explore different creative avenues exemplify the genre fluidity that has become popular among younger listeners. The band’s approach mirrors the theatrical and inclusive nature of acts like Sleep Token and Ghost. These acts have gained significant traction with Gen Z audiences who value artistic expression over rigid genre boundaries.
This cultural shift toward openness and acceptance in metal music represents a significant departure from previous decades. During those times, the genre often faced criticism for gatekeeping and exclusivity. LaPlante’s perspective highlights how Gen Z’s embrace of diversity and theatricality has revitalized metal’s appeal to younger generations. This has created a more welcoming and creatively expansive community.
