The worlds of metal and bass music continue to collide in new ways, and the latest example comes from SLANDER’s new collaboration with Spiritbox and Vastive. The three artists have officially joined forces on “Under My Skin,” which has spent years taking shape before finally reaching fans.
Released through SLANDER and NGHTMRE’s Gud Vibrations label, the song blends Spiritbox’s powerful vocals and heavy instrumentation with SLANDER’s melodic bass sound and Vastive’s aggressive production style. The result is a release that feels equally at home on a festival stage, a metal playlist, or somewhere in between.
Check out the visualizer video for “Under My Skin” below:
Three Years In The Making
According to Vastive, the collaboration has been in development for roughly three years. During that time, SLANDER continued testing versions of the track live, giving audiences a preview long before the final version was completed. In fact, SLANDER revealed that they had played the song throughout three worldwide tours and more than 300 live performances.
That kind of patience is rare in today’s industry. Artists often rush releases to capitalize on trends. Instead, everyone involved took their time refining the song and making sure it lived up to expectations. Vastive summed up the process perfectly, calling the track proof that “good things come with patience and care.” Listening to the finished version, it is easy to understand why they waited.
Spiritbox Delivers Another Standout Performance
One of the biggest strengths of “Under My Skin” is the performance from Spiritbox’s vocalist Courtney LaPlante.
The song begins with a haunting acoustic guitar and a restrained vocal delivery that gradually builds tension before exploding into heavier territory. LaPlante effortlessly moves between vulnerability and aggression, showcasing the dynamic range that has helped make her one of the most respected vocalists in modern heavy music. Her lyrics immediately grab attention:
“I can’t do this again, let you under my skin. Let you get in my head, just to fuckin’ pretend.”
As the track unfolds, those emotional moments collide with soaring melodies, crushing instrumentation, and explosive electronic production. SLANDER praised LaPlante’s performance, even noting that watching her record screams in the studio was one of the most memorable parts of the entire collaboration. The final result feels less like a guest feature and more like a true partnership between all three artists.
The Perfect Balance Between Metal And Bass Music
Bringing together artists from different corners of the music world can be a challenge, but “Under My Skin” never feels that way. Instead of sounding like separate ideas competing for attention, the track strikes a balance between the artists’ strengths.
SLANDER’s melodic bass foundation drives the song forward, while Vastive adds the heavier elements through crushing production and metal influenced instrumentation. Spiritbox’s contribution, led by Courtney LaPlante’s vocal performance, gives the track its emotional weight and helps connect the two worlds naturally.
The end result feels just as comfortable on a festival stage as it does alongside modern metal releases, highlighting how much the gap between heavy music and electronic music continues to shrink.
A Huge Year For Spiritbox
Over the last several years, the band has evolved from one of heavy music’s most exciting newcomers into one of the genre’s defining acts. Their ability to blend metalcore, progressive metal, atmosphere, and modern production techniques has helped them build a dedicated global audience. The band’s latest album, Tsunami Sea, further solidified that position and continued the momentum created by previous releases. Combined with multiple Grammy nominations and high profile collaborations, Spiritbox has become one of the most influential heavy bands of the modern era.
“Under My Skin” is the latest example of that continued growth. While Spiritbox remains firmly rooted in heavy music, collaborations like this have allowed the band to connect with audiences outside the traditional metal space. Their previous work with ILLENIUM introduced them to electronic fans, and this latest partnership with SLANDER and Vastive continues that crossover momentum.
Vastive’s Rise Continues
While Spiritbox and SLANDER bring massive audiences to the collaboration, Vastive deserves plenty of credit for helping shape the song’s identity. Over the last several years, Vastive has emerged as one of the most exciting producers operating between the worlds of bass music and metal. His ability to blend aggressive guitar work, emotional storytelling, and hard hitting electronic production has helped him stand out in an increasingly crowded scene.
Collaborations with artists like Ray Volpe, Kayzo, Sullivan King, LEVEL UP, and Kompany have steadily expanded his profile, while his debut album showcased just how versatile his sound can be. On “Under My Skin,” that experience is on full display. The track feels like a natural extension of everything Vastive has been building toward while also serving as a reminder of why so many fans have been paying attention to his rise.
A Collaboration Worth The Wait
Three years is a long time to spend working on a single song. Fortunately for everyone involved, “Under My Skin” delivers on the hype. Rather than feeling like a quick crossover designed to generate headlines, the track feels carefully crafted and genuinely collaborative. Every artist leaves a clear fingerprint on the final product, resulting in a release that appeals to fans across multiple genres without sacrificing authenticity.
As the boundaries between rock, metal, and electronic music continue to disappear, collaborations like this are becoming increasingly important. They demonstrate that great songwriting and emotional connection matter far more than genre labels. For SLANDER, Spiritbox, and Vastive, “Under My Skin” represents exactly what can happen when artists from different worlds come together and give an idea the time it deserves.
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