Michigan metalcore outfit, Of Virtue, unleash their highly-anticipated new album, "Death Of The Altar", today via Arising Empire. Expanding on the emotional depth that propelled their 2023 hit record, "Omen" to over 65 million streams, the band return sharper and more deliberate than ever, leaning into their charismatic balance of melody, intensity, and unflinching honesty. Watch the brand new video for "Too Late" below, and stream the new record HERE.
Built on crushing guitar riffs, industrial electronics, atmospheric production, and the striking contrast between Tyler Ennis and Damon Tate's vocals, "Death Of The Altar", moves effortlessly between claustrophobic heaviness and enormous, soaring choruses. Across the record, Of Virtue explore what happens when devotion becomes destructive, when love turns into dependency, and when the things we give ourselves begin taking more than they give back.
That idea runs through the album in different forms. Relationships collapse under the weight of obsession, guilt and resentment, while elsewhere the band confront isolation, grief, mortality, mental turmoil and the consequences of self-destructive behavior. Religious imagery repeatedly collides with deeply human experiences of love and suffering, turning the altar into a symbol for everything we worship, sacrifice for and eventually may have to leave behind.
At its core, "Death Of The Altar" is about reaching that breaking point and finally confronting it. Songs such as "Death Of The Altar", "Enemy State", "What's It Like To Be Happy?", "Flatline", and "Devotion" approach that struggle from different angles, while the defiance of "Can't Keep Knockin' Me Down" offers another side of the record: refusing to remain trapped by the people and forces that have caused the damage.
Arriving alongside the album is "Too Late", a massive, emotionally driven metalcore track that captures Of Virtue at their most visceral. Urgent rhythms and punishing riffs collide with soaring melodies as screams and clean vocals trade places throughout one of the record's most immediate choruses. Beneath its intensity lies an unflinching confrontation with regret, selfishness, and the realization that sometimes the damage has already been done. The track's repeated acknowledgement that there may no longer be a way back perfectly reflects the wider emotional weight running throughout "Death Of The Altar".
Facing his mistakes without making excuses on "Too Late", co-vocalist and guitarist Damon Tate shares:
"When this song was being written, I was at a lower point in my life, reflecting on past mistakes, moments where I was not my best self and realizing that I had hurt people in ways that I didn't (or refused to) acknowledge. My emotional maturity was being tested like never before, and by bringing all of these issues forward, I forced myself to swallow the proverbial bitter pill and accept those circumstances. My view of intimate relationships, as well as those with platonic friends and family, was skewed. I have had a hard time communicating my feelings over the course of my life and I don't want those who love and support me to feel like I am shutting them out. I want to be able to feel comfortable asking questions and connecting on a meaningful level before their time on this Earth is up."
On what it took for the band to tear themselves down and rebuild on "Death Of The Altar", co-vocalist and guitarist Damon Tate continues:
"Words can't properly describe how this record feels for all of us! In many ways, this was the hardest record we have ever made emotionally, spiritually and mentally. There were arguments, tense moments and many long conversations peeling back the layers of who we are as a band and what we want to convey with this record. DEATH OF THE ALTAR for us collectively is an ego death experience. The things we thought were the most important were, in time, the things holding us back from the best version of ourselves. It took all of us getting into a room and challenging each other as best friends/brothers to get to where we are at and we couldn't be more proud of the record we made and the mark we hope to leave when everyone has a chance to hear it!"
On the live front, Of Virtue recently completed a summer run alongside Savage Hands and shared the stage with In This Moment in Pittsburgh, before they traveled overseas for their current European tour supporting Unprocessed. All tour details can be found HERE.
Harnessing the potent fusion of powerful melodies and emotionally charged lyrics, Of Virtue maintain a steadfast commitment to authenticity, consistently redefining the genre while staying true to their artistic essence. Beloved across 35 countries and having performed at multiple Danny Wimmer festivals, Upheaval, Full Force, Summer Breeze, and Pulp Summer Slam amongst many others, it's no surprise that they've shared stages with bands such as Slipknot, Bad Omens, Nothing More, and Three Days Grace. Beyond their musical prowess, the metal powerhouse also serve as passionate mental health advocates on and off stage. Often seen using their platform to raise awareness and openly discuss these vital issues, Of Virtue have become a source of hope and inspiration for countless fans facing similar challenges.
Carrying forward the spirit of their 2023 record, "Omen", Of Virtue continue to champion vulnerability, community, and the belief that no one is defined solely by their worst decisions. With "Death Of The Altar", the band refine and expand their sound, one marked by confrontation, growth, and the difficult process of letting go. Unafraid to sit in discomfort, Of Virtue deliver a fearless exploration of what it takes to dismantle the parts of yourself that no longer serve you, even if it means tearing down everything that once felt like home.
Be sure to stay tuned for more Of Virtue news coming very soon.
OF VIRTUE
Supporting Unprocessed
October 3 - Paris, France - Maroquinerie
October 4 - Tilburg, Netherlands - 013 Next Stage
October 5 - Nijmegen, Netherlands - Doornroosje
October 6 - Cologne, Germany - Gebäude 9
October 7 - Hamburg, Germany - Kent Club
October 8 - Berlin, Germany - Hole 44
October 9 - Munich, Germany - Strom
October 10 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
ABOUT OF VIRTUE
In the face of omnipresent change, OF VIRTUE has never wavered, forging a legacy that stands as a testament to the power of reinvention and a refusal to surrender. Since the band’s inception, their music – a punishing-yet-melodic mix of hard rock, metal, and alternative – has mirrored that ambition: unexpected and ever-shifting, always rooted in raw emotion.
That restless spirit is fully realized on “DEATH OF THE ALTAR,” their record following their 2023 record Omen. Built on jackhammer riffs, skittering industrial electronics, and ethereal production, the band’s fourth studio album surges from claustrophobic tension into a widescreen, soaring set of choruses showcasing contrasting vocal styles of Tyler Ennis and Damon Tate – equal parts soulful and caustic. The shifts land like the split second before impact, amplifying the record’s central theme: confronting the moment when devotion turns into self-destruction.
“DEATH OF THE ALTAR,” the band’s fourth album, follows a period of rapid ascent: 2023’s Omen propelled the Michigan-based act to more than 65M streams, 4M YouTube views, and tours and festival appearances alongside Slipknot, Gojira, Bad Omens, The Used, and Three Days Grace, yet their momentum has always been fueled by more than accolades. Drawing inspiration from their diverse ethnic backgrounds (Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Black, and Irish heritage), Of Virtue finds strength from these distinct perspectives, shaping their chemistry, songwriting and shared sense of purpose.