American electronic duo SLANDER have teamed up with Canadian progressive metal band Spiritbox and producer Vastive for the release of their long-awaited collaborative single, “Under My Skin”. The track brings together three distinct sounds from across electronic and heavy music, marking a notable crossover moment for all involved. This acts as the follow-up to SLANDER’s single release, titled “Do You Feel Loved”, which featured John Martin; Spiritbox’s collaborative single with 2XKO Music, titled “Ties That Bind”, which featured Courtney LaPlante and Joe Ford; and Vastive’s single release, titled “War”.
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Written by SLANDER (Derek Andersen and Scott Land), who also acted as co-producers alongside Samuel Vargas, the track marks a significant moment for all three acts, having been developed over a period spanning more than three years. Released via Gud Vibrations, the label founded by SLANDER and NGHTMRE, the single blends elements of heavy dubstep with a distinctly rock-driven edge.
“Under My Skin” showcases the emotional depth that SLANDER have become known for, pairing their melodic bass sound with the striking vocal delivery of Spiritbox frontwoman Courtney LaPlante. Beginning with a more restrained, atmospheric tone, the track gradually builds into a powerful fusion of intense guitar work, dynamic percussion, and layered vocals, reflecting themes of resilience and emotional conflict.
The fusion of hard rock and EDM is a combination that is often difficult to execute effectively, yet this collaborative effort sees the three artists blend the genres seamlessly, effortlessly connecting with listeners. The result is dynamic production, with dual drops that shift and collide in an engaging, high-impact arrangement. Lyrically, the song explores the emotional turbulence and lingering frustration of a strained relationship, expressing a desire to let go and erase the memories of someone who continues to cause pain. However, despite this intent, the narrator remains caught in a cycle they cannot escape, with the subject still deeply embedded in their thoughts and emotions.
Discussing the release, SLANDER shared, “The time has come. ‘Under My Skin’ is finally here. The journey this song has been through is nothing short of an odyssey. We have played this song over the course of three worldwide tours at over 300 shows. It truly has been tested and has hit the mark.”
They continued: “Getting to work with Spiritbox on this song was such an incredible experience. Their kindness, professionalism, skill, and passion was so refreshing. They gave the song so much intensity and light, bringing it to new heights that were previously unimaginable. Also, getting to watch Courtney scream in the studio is something we will never forget. The precision of her vocal performance during recording was astounding. Additionally, we gotta big up Mike for adding some amazing riffs and insane guitar lead lines. We are over the moon about how this collaboration turned out and how well our sounds worked together.”
They added: “Lastly, we give flowers to Vastive. He is an untouchable producer whose distinctive sound brought so much aggressive power to the song. We have known him for years, and he is not only one of the hardest working artists in our scene but also one of the nicest people to work with as well. His discography is deep, and we encourage everyone to check it out. ‘Under My Skin’ is out now! More music is on the way soon! We love you!”
Spiritbox also reflected on the track’s development, stating, “The song has been stuck in my head ever since hearing the first demo. I’m really excited for the Slander fans to hear the final version, because they’ve been hearing the demo version at Slander shows for a long time now!”
Vastive added further insight into the collaborative process, saying: “Doing my best to keep three years of an insane ride short, ‘Under My Skin’ is proof that good things come with patience and care. Spiritbox absolutely brought this song home, and I think I speak for both Slander when I say, we couldn’t be any happier with the outcome and what it took to get to the finish line.”
The release continues a busy period for American electronic duo SLANDER, comprised of Derek Andersen and Scott Land, who have become leading figures in the melodic bass scene. Since breaking through with emotionally driven releases such as “Love Is Gone”, the duo have built a reputation for blending heavy drops with introspective lyricism, earning a dedicated global fanbase. Their headline ‘Voyager’ tour has further cemented their status, with large-scale productions and sold-out shows across major venues and festivals, while their Gud Vibrations brand continues to shape the future of bass music through both releases and curated events.
Meanwhile, Canadian progressive metal band Spiritbox have solidified their position as one of the most influential acts in modern metal. Fronted by Courtney LaPlante, alongside guitarist Mike Stringer, with Zev Rosenberg on drums and Josh Gilbert on bass, the band gained widespread acclaim with their debut album “Eternal Blue”, which debuted at Number 13 on the Billboard 200. Known for their dynamic blend of ethereal melodies and crushing heaviness, Spiritbox have continued to expand their global presence through headline tours and major festival appearances, as well as high-profile support slots with artists including Evanescence, further showcasing their crossover appeal.
Rising producer Vastive has been steadily gaining recognition within the bass music scene for his distinctive fusion of metal influences and aggressive electronic production. With releases on prominent labels and support from key figures in the dubstep and melodic bass space, Vastive has carved out a reputation for his high-energy sound design and genre-blurring approach. As his profile continues to grow into 2025 and beyond, collaborations such as “Under My Skin” highlight his ability to bridge the gap between heavy music and electronic audiences.
“Under My Skin”, by SLANDER, Spiritbox, and Vastive, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Gud Vibrations.
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