Back in 2020 we got a taste of Brisbane metalcore Band Virtues with their Nothing Grows EP. We grabbed guitarist Dan Devitt aside back then and now we've done it again to chat about the brand new (and far heavier) single 'The House That Evil Built'.
Before getting into it, let's suss this new track. Virtues' return to the studio unlocks a powerfully heavy new era, best described as Meshuggah meets Heaven Shall Burn. With energising technical riffs, bellowing vocals and dicey little breakdown, this groovy beast will get your attention.
Hellbent on finding out more? Dive into this...
Dan, it's been a hot minute since we connected on Virtues' EP Nothing Grows, and looking at the date of 17 March, 2020 - it was on the precipice of something world-changing. I imagine this impacted the (what would have been) touring cycle - did you ever make up the time?
It was slightly unfortunate timing with the world imploding around that time, but we still had a great response to the Nothing Grows EP. We had a few cheeky trips down south planned to tour the EP, which had to be cancelled. It’s been so long now that we figured we’d just march on and look to crank out some new material that hopefully we’ll be able to take to other parts of the country.
It's hard enough starting out in the heavy scene, let alone a pandemic - what did you guys get up to in the lockdowns?
The last few years have definitely been challenging with a lot changing for Virtues as well for the scene generally. It seems like there have been quite a few casualties (band-wise), specifically in the heavy scene, so we’re just really appreciative that we’ve been able to use that time to write a tonne of new music.
We spent a few months writing and recording at Sledgehammer Studios in Brisbane, which was an incredible experience. We got to work with some absolute weapons, who gave us so much of their time and a wealth of knowledge and expertise. It’s been a long slog, but we’re so stoked to come out swinging with everything we’ve been working on.
Three years later and you're back on deck with some brand new music. The first tune is called 'The House That Evil Built' and it's heavier than what we're used to from you guys - you're switching it up?
Damn straight! We’re absolutely switching it up. We wanted to be a band that gets heavier with our music, unlike many others. We were lucky enough to have Sean [Delander] and Lee Stanton involved in the new music which, together with recent experiences, as well as a change in our writing style and influences, naturally progressed the sound in a heavier direction.
We’re aiming for that permanent stank face.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrNcimGAiGH/?hl=en
What can you tell us about the single - either lyrically or musically?
‘The House That Evil Built’ is based on some pretty wild shit that our vocalist Wade experienced growing up. Lyrically, it’s about the house he grew up in and the impact it had on his family and relationships. Upon reflection and considering those times through a more spiritual lens, they all agree that there was something else at play in the house essentially pulling strings, pitting them against each other and playing twisted mind games.
Have the band members changed much at all since Nothing Grows?
Member-wise, we still have same four big dogs (bar a drummer - we seem to just periodically swap out drummers) that have been around since the beginning. We’ll insert that incredibly clichéd notion of us being a weird little family, but we really work well together and have settled well into our various roles in the band.
Is 'The House That Evil Built' the start of a Virtues avalanche in 2023?
FUCK OATH! We’ve poured our hearts and souls into our new music and can’t wait to unleash it. ‘The House That Evil Built’ is but a mere glimpse into what’s to come for the rest of this year and beyond. We’ll have a few more releases most likely before the year end. We’ve got everything recorded and prepped, so we’re ready to pull triggers.
Can we expect some initial touring this year as well?
Oh 100%, we definitely will be. We’ve got a few things in the works behind the scenes, so you’ll be the first to know once it’s all confirmed. We can’t wait to be back on stage and back in the thick of it. Brisbane has been really good to us and we’ll be all over the usual spots as well as venturing down south over the next few months.
Is the latest single indicative of what we're going to hear with what's yet to come?
Most definitely. ‘The House That Evil Built’ is a good indication of what we have in store. Some nice new blends of genres and building on our already established sound is really what we’re aiming for. Each of the next few releases has a slightly different vibe, and in our view, they go pretty hard if we do say so ourselves. We’re stoked to be back at it and super appreciative of the opportunity to do this.
Words by Ricky Aarons (@rickysaul90)
Watch 'The House That Evil Built' below and Pre-Save here
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