Of Virtue announce new album ‘Death Of The Altar’
OF VIRTUE have announced a brand new album!
Titled Death Of The Altar, the upcoming release from the Michigan metalcore outfit is set for release on October 2nd via Arising Empire. The record follows 2023’s Omen, and intends to see the band expanding upon the themes of vulnerability, identity, self-destruction, and personal growth explored on its predecessor.
Speaking about the album, guitarist and co-vocalist Damon Tate shares, “Death Of The Altar is the culmination of many emotional chapters for all of us and is in a lot of ways, the symbolic ending that Omen touched on in some of its themes. Where Omen recounts the memoirs of someone who tried, but ultimately succumbed to their shortcomings – Death Of The Altar is the realisation that the things we hold so close, can often be the very same things that hurt us the most. We grow up in systems where it’s hard to disconnect from all of the noise – what people think we should be, how to fit the ‘perfect’ stereotypes, failing or falling short being seen as a weakness rather than logical progression.
Over time, we are worn down by feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness, leading so many of us to seeking out dangerous and more creative methods of coping, disguised as help. In times of desperation, we seek comfort from people hiding the truth and places that are meant to be safe but harbour disinformation, deception and deceit. The four of us are no different. We have all struggled throughout our own lives with identity crises, fitting into a world that doesn’t accept you for who you are, fostering toxic connections just for a taste of something better and wondering why we feel more hollow and empty than ever.
Our entire journey as a band has been stepping outside of our comfort zone and Death Of The Altar is no exception. There was a weight on us that never existed before and we wanted to do the best we could to shoulder those expectations. This record is our band’s ego death. This record is a rude awakening to be cautious of who and what you trust with your energy and spirit. Death Of The Altar is a sobering reminder of one very important thing. Be careful what you wish for. It may come true and become a nightmare that is impossible to escape.”
Alongside the announcement, the band have released the new single, The End. The new song is the latest single to be released from the upcoming album, following on from the title track, What’s It Like To Be Happy? and The Art of Love.
Speaking about the track, Tate explains, “there have been so many days where I have felt apathetic to the world around me – constantly being bombarded by the politics, social media, the strain of everyday life to the point of feeling numb to some of these problems over time. It always feels like when you put one fire out, another one sprouts up in a sick and seemingly never ending cycle. You grow numb to the negativity over time and start to accept that this might just be the ”way life is’.
Some may see this as apathy and honestly, I would agree. We wanted to make a record that encapsulates the feeling of being frustrated and tricking yourself into believing there is nothing you can do to fix that. Some situations are out of our control, others can be avoided. In the end, one of the things that matters most is spending time with the ones you care about and making the most of the one life we are given. Think of this song as ‘the last party on Earth’. If the world were going to come to an end, I’d want to be surrounded by loved ones doing what I love and having tried my very best to spread that love to others.”
Watch the official music video for The End here:
Also, you can view both the track list and artwork for the upcoming new album below:
Track list:
- Death Of The Altar
- Divinity
- The End
- Enemy State
- What’s It Like To Be Happy?
- Too Late
- Welcome To Hell
- The Art Of Love
- Flatline
- Devotion
- Can’t Keep Knockin Me Down
Death Of The Altar is set for release on October 2nd via Arising Empire. Pre-orders are available now and can be accessed here.
For more information on OF VIRTUE like their official page on Facebook.
