Spicebomb Metallic Musk

If you're familiar with the spicebomb DNA, this will be instantly familiar. If you already own the original Spicebomb, you'll be disappointed at the apparent redundancy this flanker provides. That said, this is smoother, fresher, and more aromatic than all the others to date. It's easily the most versatile and plays just as easily in the office as it does hanging out or on a date. To my nose, the closest match is 1899 Hemingway which when I purchased, instantly became my favorite autumn office fragrance of 2024. Metallic Musk has more of a soft and powdery aspect than 1899 and while the two are probably 90% similar in the opening and heart, a few hours in and MM let's go of the spices while moving closer to a woody musk fragrance. This is a crowd pleaser, but it's also something I really enjoy catching wafts of on myself throughout the day. The one negative (and reason it's not a "love") is the performance. The village is downright pathetic compared to any of the others in the spicebomb line and the longevity is equally miserable. At least on my skin. I do believe the longer the jus sits with oxygen in the bottle, the better this will perform. However, in my relatively modest experience with the hobby, maceration isn't as easy to predict as I want to believe. But as a general rule of thumb, I find autumn and winter fragrances that utilize spices, woods, vanilla, or amber tend to macerate better than freshies. And to claim that this is a more aromatic take on the OG or any of the previous flankers isn't saying much - we're talking about a fragrance called "spicebomb". It's possibly the most appropriately named fragrance line out there. It's a bit on the nose, but it is what it sounds like and even this smooth and "fresher" take of that DNA is best worn during the autumn. So here's to hoping the performance improves, because if it does, you better get in on this now so you can rock it this year while it becomes stupid popular among the masses for 2026.

If this were a song, it would be "Anymore" by Goldfrapp on their 'Silver Eye' album. Why? It’s not just modern—it almost feels futuristic. Like the song, which leans heavily on industrial synths, this cologne feels like the scent equivalent. Also, the bottle is a beautiful silvery metal grenade, and that Goldfrapp LP has 'Silver' in the name being named after our 'silvery metallic' moon. I absolutely loved it. It isn’t overpowering like some of the Spicebomb variations. It’s strong and long-lasting, but never feels overbearing. I’ve owned and loved Spicebomb, but in the summer it can truly feel like a bomb of spices. This, on the other hand, could even be worn in warmer weather, though I personally see it as more of a spring scent because it’s so clean and modern. It made me feel very confident. A perfect scent for the office or date night. I will say there’s one note that triggered some deep memories—something reminiscent of a scent popular in the late 1990s. I’m not saying this smells dated in any way—it absolutely doesn’t. Again, it’s very modern and futuristic. However, I think the suede and aldehyde notes subtly echo something from that era. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly. I could NOT stop smelling this on my arm. I kept getting images of driving on a highway through Manhattan in the early spring when the sky is overcast, grey but bright with some occasional drizzel, while I'm in a sports car dressed in a classy charcoal colored outfit. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Overall, this feels like the perfect scent for 2026–2027. There seems to be a shift toward metallic, silver, futuristic fragrances right now, and this fits perfectly into that trend. It’s an amazing reinvention from Viktor & Rolf, and I’m so glad to own a bottle.

Walking around Mustafa aimlessly before drinks, looking for something new and different, told myself, no more ME, no more clones. Had almost given up after seeing nothing interest me at both sections. Suddenly i saw some silver boxes at the new section inner shelf. Great! Just what i am missing in the collection. Picked it up for $85 Sgd. Only a few pieces left... I remembered reading about this and reviews were good and adding it to my wanted to try list a while back. Fast forward next morning...Sotd, overspray as usual and first sprays immediately reminded me of Luna Rossa Black, that powdery and soapy aspects from it together with a amped down spiciness from the og Edt. The aldehydes opens well with the pepper here. Completely Unisex, some may find it more feminine. The cinnamon is still present and you'll smell it together with the lavender. Better than all the bombs in the line for me. This retains the SB dna and amped down spiciness but made it more Non-Designer. You may see references of reminds me of and many of the reviewers aren't really wrong. One of you'll will link it with Rehab, Musk Therapy, TFNE, MIB etc as this certainly contains certain vibes from those mentioned, however to me its sorta like a Hybrid between Luna Rossa Black and og Edt. It isn't a very strong scent, 3 hours later its a decent skin scent. It should stay lightly on the skin beyond 4-5 hours abouts there. I can't pinpoint any standout notes on the dry down, little muskiness and slight ambery. The highlight of Metallic Musk is in the opening Aldehydes definitely and then the slight spicy and added soapy aspects. Blind buy safe. Meetings, conferences and Schools safe. All ages safe. A good release that's underated.

Wanted to wear this a couple time before I reviewed to soak it in. First few times I wore it, it seemed alittle weak but today I’m on hour 12 and I can still smell myself lofting from under my shirt. I did spray about 6 sprays under 3 shirt layers and 3 around neck on a cold winter day. The OG SB jump started my collection of fragrances more than 10 years ago so I hold it close to my heart. It has fallen on and off my rotations over the years but always my comfort scent. With numerous flankers released, sampled and owned, it was always my only SB that ever held my attention long enough to appreciate and keep in the stable. This one has me questioning whether it will be replaced for the first time. Versatility is a huge factor in this equation and Metallic Musk wins this hands down. It does feel more modern and maybe even younger but still remains unique without losing its famous DNA that got my attention way back when. It definitely is closest to the OG edt. The light musk and slightly metallic fabric softener nuances mix better than expected to this dna than I ever imagined. It isn’t nearly as linear as the OG and Extreme and seems to change every time you catch a whiff. Very impressive so far but will require more sprays than other SB flankers to perform. I do believe it got alittle stronger after 6 weeks on the shelf. One of my favorite releases of the year but again I’m a Spicebomb lover. Strong 8.5 / 10

Banger! Best release in the line after the older bottles of SB Extreme. This is everything that I wanted SB Fresh to be. This opening is close in scent profile to the original EDT once that was in its middle phase, but some clean aldehydes and a nice little citrus zest. As this dries down, a clean musk that blends extremely well with the rest of the composition unfolds. I don't really get the leather. Longevity is solid and I get over 8 hours from this, although the projection is moderate at best after it starts to dry down. It gives nice scent bubble. This is definitely unisex and a bit more so than previous entries with the additions of the musk and aldehydes making it smell a little bit clean. This is the most versatile SB release. Period. I don't enjoy it as much as SBE, but I can wear this almost year round and get that beautiful SB DNA (which is one of my favorite fragrance DNA's). I also like Initio Rehab more, but that is not safe to wear most of the summer. I understand they had to make trade-offs to make this scent as versatile as it is, and I think Herault made very wise decisions with the balance and note selection. It's a strong like for me. Yes, I'd rather be wearing other stuff with this DNA most of the time, but I can't do that without choking people out once it gets above 80°F. 90/100