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EP Review: Virtue in Vain-Nothing is All I Am

 

CoverArtwork Courtesy of San Pr


Words Written by Anselm Anderson

Today marks the final chapter of an emphatic trilogy by British Metalcore Heavyweights, Virtue in Vain. Nothing is All I Am' is the third instalment exploring human emotions and psyche.  The trio began their journey in 2015 with their debut EP, For All You Know is the Mask I Wore, focusing on the loss of identity, before 2019's  Dusk//Dawn looking at the consequences of a terrible night out, whilst 'Nothing is All I Am ' focuses on rebuilding a fractured mind.

The trio of lead vocalist Hywel Thomas, guitarist Mason Williams, and drummer Daniel Bryant hail from South Wales deliver another dose of metalcore that hits like a sledgehammer to the head. The band replicates what many other British bands of the genre do, but they bring a story behind their music. Their emotional cries blend with powerful riffs and down-tuned instrumentals that resonate long after the music has stopped. Their lyrics address deep-rooted psychological issues, conveyed through their sound. Each track reflects their feelings at the time, with atmospheric electronics added to emphasise the emotions of desolation and anger.


Photo courtesy of San PR. 

The intense screams in 'Split' kick off the track, backed by hard-hitting drums that convey the vocalist's anger. 'Blood Eyes' continues the theme of anxieties and isolation with razor-sharp riffs and guttural screams that cut to the bone.'Between Reflections and Silence' enhances the EP with layered harmonic vocals and electronics that evoke a sense of dread and suffering. The album shifts tempo with the intense 'Echoes', which features groove-oriented riffs and a catchy chorus that elevates the intensity and aggression of the release.

This four tracker wraps up with 'The Wilt and I' shares similarities with the previous track, albeit the inclusion of haunting melodic instrumental, which supplements the sorrowful nature of the track.

I am not familiar with the band's previous two releases in this trilogy, but I always appreciate concepts in music. "Virtue in Vain" presents an intriguing theme centred around mental health, and much of the songwriting here addresses those issues. I enjoyed the music and felt the sense of loss and struggle that the band has experienced regarding this subject.

For a Metalcore release, the songs on here are what to expect from bands of the genre: intense, emotional, and all-out brutal.



SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS


https://nfan.link/nothingisalliam
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ysLwiCUToDZJljLCmcINg
https://www.instagram.com/virtueinvain/
https://www.facebook.com/VirtueInVain
https://www.youtube.com/@virtueinvain
https://www.virtueinvain.com/



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Copyright: Anselm Anderson ©

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