From Holy Roller to Heavy Hitter: Courtney LaPlante's Rise & The Amy Lee Influence

Sep 05, 2025

From Holy Roller to Heavy Hitter: Courtney LaPlante's Rise & The Amy Lee Influence

Courtney LaPlante, the powerhouse vocalist of Spiritbox, has carved a unique path in the metalcore scene. Her journey, marked by a distinctive blend of guttural screams and ethereal clean vocals, is a testament to her talent, resilience, and the impact of artists like Amy Lee, the iconic frontwoman of Evanescence. This article delves into Courtney's evolution, exploring her musical roots, her rise to prominence with Spiritbox, and the undeniable influence of Amy Lee on her vocal style and artistic expression.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings: A Christian Foundation

Courtney LaPlante's musical journey began in a deeply religious environment. Raised in a Christian household, she actively participated in church choirs and worship teams. This early exposure to music, particularly vocal performance, laid a crucial foundation for her future career. While the music style differed drastically from her later metalcore endeavors, the discipline and vocal training she received were invaluable. The structured environment of church music provided her with fundamental skills in pitch control, harmony, and breath support – skills that would later prove essential in mastering the complexities of metal vocals.

Her early musical tastes leaned towards Christian rock and pop, genres prevalent within her upbringing. However, as she grew older, Courtney began to explore different genres, encountering the powerful and emotive vocals of Amy Lee. This encounter marked a turning point, sparking a new direction in her musical exploration.

The Amy Lee Influence: A Defining Moment

Amy Lee's influence on Courtney LaPlante is undeniable. Lee's distinctive vocal style, characterized by its blend of operatic power and raw emotion, resonated deeply with Courtney. Evanescence's music, particularly tracks like "Bring Me to Life" and "My Immortal," showcased Lee's ability to seamlessly transition between soaring melodies and powerful, angst-ridden vocals. This versatility served as a significant inspiration for Courtney, shaping her understanding of vocal dynamics and performance.

Here's how Amy Lee's influence manifested in Courtney's musical development:

• Vocal Range and Control: Lee's ability to navigate a wide vocal range with precision and control inspired Courtney to expand her own vocal capabilities. She studied Lee's techniques, focusing on breath control, vocal placement, and the ability to seamlessly transition between different vocal registers.
• Emotional Expression: Lee's emotive delivery and ability to convey vulnerability and strength through her vocals deeply resonated with Courtney. She learned to channel her own emotions into her performances, creating a more authentic and impactful connection with her audience.
• Genre Blending: Evanescence's fusion of gothic rock, metal, and classical elements demonstrated the potential for genre blending. This encouraged Courtney to experiment with different musical styles and incorporate diverse influences into her own music.
• Performance Style: Amy Lee's stage presence, characterized by her commanding yet vulnerable demeanor, influenced Courtney's own performance style. She learned to command attention on stage while remaining authentic and relatable to her audience.

Courtney has openly acknowledged Amy Lee as a significant influence, citing her as a role model and inspiration. This influence is evident in Courtney's own vocal style, which shares similarities with Lee's in terms of range, control, and emotional depth. The ability to blend soaring melodies with aggressive screams is a hallmark of both vocalists, and this common ground highlights the lasting impact of Amy Lee on Courtney LaPlante's artistic development.

Iwrestledabearonce: Finding Her Voice in Metal

Before Spiritbox, Courtney LaPlante gained recognition as the vocalist for Iwrestledabearonce (IWABO), a band known for its chaotic and experimental metalcore sound. Joining IWABO in 2012, Courtney replaced the original vocalist, Krysta Cameron, and brought a new level of intensity and vocal prowess to the band. This period was crucial in honing her skills and solidifying her presence in the metal scene.

IWABO provided Courtney with a platform to experiment with a wider range of vocal techniques, including guttural screams, growls, and soaring clean vocals. She quickly adapted to the band's frenetic energy, delivering powerful and dynamic performances that captivated audiences. This experience allowed her to develop her stage presence and build a loyal following within the metal community. While IWABO's sound was significantly different from Evanescence, the experience of performing in a high-energy, demanding environment further shaped Courtney's vocal abilities and performance style.

During her time with IWABO, Courtney also began to develop her songwriting skills, contributing to the band's later albums. This experience allowed her to express her own creative vision and further refine her artistic identity. While IWABO ultimately disbanded in 2016, Courtney's time with the band was instrumental in preparing her for the next chapter of her musical journey.

The Birth of Spiritbox: A New Chapter

Following the dissolution of Iwrestledabearonce, Courtney LaPlante and her husband, guitarist Mike Stringer, embarked on a new musical venture: Spiritbox. Formed in 2017, Spiritbox quickly gained attention for its unique blend of djent, progressive metal, and atmospheric elements. With Courtney's distinctive vocals at the forefront, the band crafted a sound that was both heavy and ethereal, attracting a rapidly growing fanbase.

Spiritbox represented a significant departure from IWABO's chaotic sound. While still incorporating elements of metalcore, Spiritbox embraced a more nuanced and atmospheric approach, allowing Courtney's vocals to take center stage. The band's early singles, released independently, showcased Courtney's versatility and ability to seamlessly transition between aggressive screams and haunting clean vocals. This blend of styles, reminiscent of Amy Lee's approach in Evanescence, resonated with listeners and helped Spiritbox quickly gain traction online.

The band's online presence was a key factor in its early success. Spiritbox utilized social media platforms to connect with fans, share their music, and build a community around their sound. Courtney's engaging personality and willingness to interact with fans online further contributed to the band's growing popularity. This digital strategy allowed Spiritbox to bypass traditional industry gatekeepers and reach a global audience directly.

Eternal Blue: A Metalcore Masterpiece

In 2021, Spiritbox released their debut album, Eternal Blue, to widespread critical acclaim. The album showcased the band's evolution, solidifying their position as one of the most exciting and innovative acts in the metalcore scene. Eternal Blue's success can be attributed to several factors, including Courtney LaPlante's exceptional vocal performance, the band's innovative songwriting, and its cohesive blend of genres.

Eternal Blue is a dynamic and emotionally charged album that explores themes of anxiety, loss, and self-discovery. Courtney's vocals are a highlight, seamlessly transitioning between soaring melodies, guttural screams, and spoken-word passages. Her ability to convey a wide range of emotions through her voice is truly remarkable, and it's a key factor in the album's overall impact. The album's production is also noteworthy, creating a lush and atmospheric soundscape that perfectly complements the band's songwriting.

The album's singles, including "Holy Roller," "Constance," and "Circle With Me," garnered millions of streams and solidified Spiritbox's position as a major force in the metalcore world. These tracks showcase the band's ability to craft catchy and memorable songs while maintaining a high level of technical proficiency and artistic integrity.

The album's commercial success was also significant, debuting at number 13 on the Billboard 200 chart. This achievement demonstrated the band's broad appeal and their ability to connect with listeners beyond the traditional metalcore fanbase. Eternal Blue marked a turning point for Spiritbox, establishing them as a leading voice in the modern metal scene.

Vocal Techniques and Style: Screams, Cleans, and Beyond

Courtney LaPlante's vocal style is characterized by its versatility and technical proficiency. She seamlessly transitions between guttural screams, clean vocals, and spoken-word passages, creating a dynamic and engaging listening experience. Her ability to control her vocal delivery and convey a wide range of emotions is truly remarkable.

Here's a breakdown of Courtney's key vocal techniques:

• Guttural Screams: Courtney's screams are powerful and visceral, adding a layer of intensity and aggression to Spiritbox's music. She utilizes a variety of screaming techniques, including fry screams, false cord screams, and growls, each with its own unique texture and tone. Proper technique is paramount to avoid vocal damage.
• Clean Vocals: Courtney's clean vocals are equally impressive, showcasing her range, control, and ability to convey emotion. She often employs soaring melodies and harmonies, adding a layer of beauty and etherealness to Spiritbox's sound.
• Vocal Fry: Courtney incorporates vocal fry, a technique where the vocal cords are loosely closed to create a creaky sound, to add texture and depth to her delivery. This technique can be used sparingly to add emphasis or create a sense of intimacy.
• Breath Control: Breath control is essential for any vocalist, but it's particularly crucial for metal vocalists who need to sustain screams and clean vocals over extended periods. Courtney's breath control is exceptional, allowing her to deliver powerful and consistent performances.
• Vocal Placement: Vocal placement refers to the position of the voice in the body. By consciously controlling vocal placement, Courtney can alter the tone and timbre of her voice, creating a wider range of sounds and textures.

Courtney's ability to seamlessly blend these techniques is what sets her apart. She doesn't simply scream or sing; she uses her voice as an instrument to create a dynamic and expressive soundscape. This versatility is a key factor in Spiritbox's unique appeal.

Much like Amy Lee, Courtney is also very careful with her vocal health. She emphasizes proper warm-up and cool-down routines, hydration, and vocal rest. This dedication to vocal health ensures that she can continue to deliver powerful performances night after night.

Spiritbox's Impact on the Metalcore Scene

Spiritbox has had a significant impact on the metalcore scene, pushing boundaries and challenging conventions. The band's unique blend of genres, coupled with Courtney LaPlante's exceptional vocals, has resonated with a broad audience, attracting fans from across the metal spectrum.

Here are some of the ways Spiritbox has influenced the metalcore scene:

• Genre Blending: Spiritbox's willingness to experiment with different genres has inspired other bands to push the boundaries of metalcore. Their incorporation of djent, progressive metal, and atmospheric elements has demonstrated the potential for genre blending within the metal scene.
• Vocal Versatility: Courtney LaPlante's vocal versatility has raised the bar for metal vocalists. Her ability to seamlessly transition between screams and clean vocals has inspired other singers to expand their vocal capabilities and explore new techniques.
• Online Presence: Spiritbox's success in building a fanbase online has demonstrated the power of social media for independent artists. Their digital strategy has inspired other bands to utilize online platforms to connect with fans and promote their music.
• Female Representation: Courtney LaPlante's success as a female vocalist in a male-dominated genre has paved the way for other women in metal. She serves as a role model and inspiration for aspiring female musicians.

Spiritbox's success has also demonstrated the importance of originality and authenticity in the music industry. The band's unique sound and unwavering commitment to their artistic vision have resonated with listeners, proving that it's possible to achieve success without compromising one's creative integrity.

The Future of Courtney LaPlante and Spiritbox

The future looks bright for Courtney LaPlante and Spiritbox. With a growing fanbase, critical acclaim, and a relentless work ethic, the band is poised to continue pushing boundaries and redefining the metalcore genre. Their upcoming projects are highly anticipated, and fans are eager to see what they will create next.

Courtney's continued growth as a vocalist and songwriter is also exciting to witness. She is constantly honing her skills and experimenting with new techniques, ensuring that her performances remain fresh and engaging. Her dedication to her craft is evident in every note she sings, and it's a testament to her passion and commitment.

Spiritbox's impact on the metalcore scene is undeniable, and their influence will likely continue to grow in the years to come. They have proven that it's possible to achieve success by staying true to one's artistic vision and connecting with fans on a genuine level. As they continue to evolve and innovate, Spiritbox is sure to remain a leading voice in the modern metal scene.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Influence and Innovation

Courtney LaPlante's journey from a Christian upbringing to metalcore stardom is a testament to her talent, resilience, and the power of inspiration. The influence of Amy Lee, coupled with Courtney's own unique vision and unwavering dedication, has shaped her into one of the most compelling vocalists in the modern metal scene. Her work with Iwrestledabearonce laid the groundwork for her success, while Spiritbox has allowed her to fully realize her artistic potential. As Spiritbox continues to evolve and innovate, Courtney LaPlante's legacy as a groundbreaking vocalist and influential figure in the metal world is firmly secured.

Further Listening: Beyond Spiritbox

To fully appreciate the breadth of Courtney LaPlante's talent and the influence of Amy Lee, consider exploring these additional artists and albums:

• Iwrestledabearonce: Late for Nothing - Showcases Courtney's early vocal experimentation.
• Evanescence: Fallen - The album that launched Amy Lee into the spotlight and a clear influence on Courtney.
• Amy Lee (Solo): Aftermath - A glimpse into Amy Lee's diverse musical abilities outside of Evanescence.
• Other Female-Fronted Metal Bands: Arch Enemy, Jinjer, Lacuna Coil - Explore the landscape of female vocalists in metal.

By exploring these artists and albums, you can gain a deeper understanding of the musical landscape that has shaped Courtney LaPlante's career and appreciate the enduring influence of Amy Lee on a generation of musicians.