ALBUM REVIEW: What Defines You – Of Virtue

Eight years bridge the gap between the debut album from OF VIRTUE and their latest effort What Defines You, an era through which they have left their mark on the metalcore scene with their bruising brand of in-your-face heaviness. Thunderous and enigmatic, they have historically laid a combination of clean and abrasive vocals on top of blistering breakdowns and melodic riffwork. Now armed with three albums in their sonic arsenal, it is interesting to see how experience has moulded their sound.

Sticking firmly to their roots, OF VIRTUE opt to open with No Control, initiated by pounding drum work and chilling guitar. It all feels very mysterious before the album’s first riff punches through the dark undertones. Instantly comparable to fellow melodic metalcore bands such as BURY TOMORROW or WAGE WAR, beauty battles with devastation as lush rhythm guitar flows around battering metallic mayhem. Alone starts life a little more subtly, opting for clean vocals and finger snapping in its opening stages. This enjoyable groove is let down by a rather mediocre chorus which feels surprisingly lacklustre when set against more accomplished album parts. The heavy midsection of the track goes some way towards redemption, which – although possibly falling victim to genericism – breathes a little life back into an average track.

OF VIRTUE turn up the dial again for Suffer, which commences with well a calculated hook. Drums and crushing vocals gradually join the fracas, before the chorus proves to be an improvement on previous tracks. The melody is better, and the textures run deeper as the track continues to run its course. There are times where the clean vocals feel a little complacent and could be better driven, but ultimately Suffer holds a steady pace and is an enjoyable listen. Immortal focuses a little more on atmosphere, stepping away from the verse/chorus/breakdown formula to produce one of the album’s more intelligent excerpts. Heavy flourishes litter the track, between stirring sections of tenebrous noise. Bookended by two heavy numbers, it serves as a break from calamity and adds a much needed dynamic to the record.

Thanks For Nothing leads us back to the earlier stylistic approach, the standout moment being a particularly weighty breakdown. Much like the next track Pictures Of You, the emphasis seems to be on following metalcore trends more so than applying their own unique edge, but that being said, they do it fairly well. The riffs flow and the harmony is well executed, but no points will be won for originality. Things begin to get a little heavier as I Won’t Break kicks in, battering ear drums with quick-fire drumming and lashing guitar. The screams gain a more aggressive edge and this time remain throughout the chorus. As the track culminates in a blaze of devastation, it’s hard not to see it as the album’s stand out song.

After Surrounded begins with voice samples and air raid sirens, it continues the heavy pace set by its preceding track. By now some of the musicianship feels a little repetitive, with the majority of songs following a very similar format and being difficult to differentiate. It seems as though OF VIRTUE have done themselves a disservice, by playing safe instead of experimenting and furthering their sonic reach. The same could be said of Torn Apart, which sits before the final track, Confide In Me. A weaving solo sits nestled within this final piece, a welcome addition. Serving its purpose as the album closer, Confide In Me fades out nicely, rounding off the album with ambient noise.

It’s a pity that OF VIRTUE feel so shackled with What Defines You. They are clearly good at what they do, but in a metalcore landscape rife with ever better and more experimental bands, they do seem at risk of falling behind the curve. The bones of a great album are there, and with a little more imagination they could well find themselves toe to toe with the best.

Rating: 6/10

What Defines You is out now via SharpTone Records. 

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