Album Review: Of Virtue – Omen (Arising Empire)

Born from the blistering cold, barren fields of Michigan and erupting into an internationally recognised and critically acclaimed alternative powerhouse, Of Virtue will release their new album ‘Omen’ on September 29th, 2023, via Arising Empire.

Aside from the singles that have been released from this album, Of Virtue fans will be familiar with a few more tracks on Omen. Thanks to 2022’s Sinner EP being included, resulting in a 12-track album that absolutely slays.

Their constant and consistent showcase of spectacular, developed, and purposeful alternative metal is at its peak here. A peak rooted in modern sensibilities and with massive crossover appeal. Omen begins with two tracks from the Sinner EP; Hypocrite and the title track. Ripping and roaring heaviness with an anthemic chorus from the former. A blend of electronica and effects with robust and rougher metal parts with the latter.

Sober is up next, and it’s another Of Virtue anthem, one with the focus being on melody and powerful vocals. A grander sounding track with an intense subject matter that is given plenty of time to permeate through the mind. It’s a great example, alongside Cold Blooded (also from Sinner) and its ethereal touches, of their diversity.

It’s anthem after anthem, as Of Virtue hit another extreme sounding high with ‘A.N.X.I.E.T.Y. Where the band’s maturity comes through with the clean vocal transitions. Then Cut Me Open showcases crunching rhythm and a pounding beat. Something that is stupidly catchy, an impressive feat for a band that is hitting this hard.

At the halfway point, there is no doubt that is album is going to be a game-changing release for Of Virtue. They’re building on what they have done before, experimenting in places, and clearly going for an overall crowd-pleaser.

Case in point, the moody alternative sound of the title track. Where a mix of melody, enigmatic effects, and momentary flare-ups of heavy make it another notable listen. Before Cannibals and Holy come along to keep everyone on their toes. The former, featuring a rocking pace and some wonderful clean singing that borders on pop. While the latter is all about its chorus, which is massive, and given more impact by the dramatic verses.

Dayseeker vocalist Rory Rodriguez then joins Of Virtue for a powerful and poignant hit in the form of Floating. The melodies in this track, alongside the wonderful vocal performances, really land. One of the most infectious tracks of all. Which is f**king hilarious, considering just how many of those exist across the entire album.

It’s time to go big and go home as Of Virtue take us back to a ‘simpler’ metalcore-infused and alt-focused time with True Colours, and then close this album out with the manic modern excitability of False Idols. A very big ending, and another brilliant example of the anthemic qualities that exist in Of Virtue. This is going to be a very big album for this band.

Of Virtue – Omen Track Listing:

1. Hypocrite
2. Sinner
3. Sober
4. Cold Blooded
5. A.N.X.I.E.T.Y.
6. Cut Me Open
7. Omen
8. Cannibals
9. Holy
10. Floating (Ft. Rory Rodriguez)
11. True Colours
12. False Idols

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