Baddiecore newcomers Spirit Leaves are one of the hottest acts in the loaded FL metal scene, and their debut EP To My Detriment, via InVogue Records, strapped a rocket on their back. The EP consisted of mosh tracks like “Pulling Teeth” and the R&B-influenced, “Chaos Control,” offering a little something for every flavor of metal listener. On the evening of January 9th, they premiered their second single post-To My Detriment, “Zealot”. I have worked with the band as a photographer multiple times in the past year, and their newest single has been a favorite of mine and the crowd’s, since its live debut. Needless to say, I was eagerly anticipating “Zealot”’s release, and Spirit Leaves did not disappoint.
The music video, directed by FL videographer legend Toddi Babu, is a rollercoaster from front to end. Toddi and the band make great use of the music video format. Quick changes between footage of religious figures in a temple interacting with an altar, women dancing in white, and performance footage with Unreal Engine graphics immerse the viewer in the track completely. Toddi shows how he is the best in the game, matching the transitions to the pace of the music, keeping the listener invested and on their toes.
Another aspect of “Zealot” that elevates the experience is the expert production by their vocalist XZYLO and producer/engineer Jonathon Dolese. Donnie Fuson’s performance behind the drumkit drives the song at a pace that increases the tension and adds a pleasant and groovy thump to your headphones. While XYLO’s clean vocals in the verses wash over the listener like a song off of Loathe’s I Let It In and It Took Everything or Thornhill’s Heroine. Ambient leads by their skilled guitarists Giovanni Lopez and Steven Rodriguez help immerse you in the experience.
The little tempo changes and small, heavy, peaks in the verses excite when the song kicks into XZYLO’s screaming sections. These heavier parts of the song are quite tempting to start shoving and throwing elbows in a live setting, from my experience. These heavy sections are where each member mentioned above shines the most. Donnie Fuson is one of the most talented drummers in the music scene, and if you pay close attention to his work in the background, you will come away awe-struck. While the aggressive guitar riffs of Lopez and Rodriguez are reminiscent of work by titans Bad Omens and Spiritbox.
Then, the song breaks into the chorus, and XZYLO’s incredible vocal performance shines with this ear worm of a hook:
Foreign hands pull you past the edge
No chance my words could say what’s ahead
Wishing I could change new fictions of your end
Forgiveness is repent
But nothing will contend
The breakdown in the bridge is one of the craziest mosh parts in a track I have heard in recent memory, and I can see this being the next wild moment in metalcore to go viral on TikTok or reels. It is due to the dynamic between slow/fast, and heavy/soft, that makes the breakdown and release in the bridge feel so cathartic. Very few bands master this dynamic, and perhaps this is a look into why Spirit Leaves has gained so much momentum this quickly.
The song’s lyrics are centered on religion, the fight between the devil and God, good vs evil. XZYLO writes:
“This song is about the devil vs god. And how the devil can present itself in a godly form, leading people down terrible paths with no return. Regardless of how many times you yell and scream for them to stop, it doesn’t matter. It’s already too late. The story is of somebody being indoctrinated into a cult, and I’m watching this terrible thing happen to someone I care about, but can’t stop. Who and where does it end? Watch our music videos to find out more.”
“Zealot” is another piece of evidence as to why Spirit Leaves is my favorite metal act in Florida. Shockingly, you can still see these standout musicians at local shows, whether it be The Orpheum in Tampa or The Conduit in Orlando. They are going on tour with Varia and Brave New World later this month, so why not see these stellar upstarts while tickets are still somewhere around $15/each before they go viral and you have to fight scalpers on LiveNation?
See Spirit Leaves on tour with Varia and Brave New World
Purchase tickets here
Follow Spirit Leaves here
