Michigan’s own metalcore force, Of Virtue, erupted last Friday with the release of their highly anticipated album Death Of The Altar through Arising Empire, pushing even deeper into the emotion-driven sound that carried Omen to over 65 million streams.
Crushing guitar riffs, industrial electronics, and atmospheric production are the foundation for Of Virtue’s new album. Moving effortlessly between claustrophobic heaviness and enormous, soaring choruses, Tyler Ennis and Damon Tate’s vocals are something to hold in wonder.
Death Of The Altar is ultimately about reaching a breaking point and confronting it. Songs such as “Death Of The Altar,” “Enemy State,” “What’s It Like To Be Happy?,” “Flatline,” and “Devotion” explore that internal struggle from different perspectives, while “Can’t Keep Knockin’ Me Down” brings a defiant counterpoint, refusing to stay confined by the people or forces that caused the harm.
“Too Late,” released alongside the album, is an emotionally intense metalcore track that highlights Of Virtue’s most visceral qualities. Its urgent rhythms and heavy riffs blend with melodic passages, while alternating harsh and clean vocals shape one of the album’s most immediate choruses. The song addresses themes of regret, selfishness, and the recognition that certain damage cannot be reversed. This recurring sense of finality aligns with the broader emotional themes present throughout Death Of The Altar.
Harnessing the potent fusion of powerful melodies and emotionally charged lyrics, Of Virtue maintain a dynamic presence that pushes metalcore beyond its boundaries. The future before them is one worth paying attention to.
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