In Virtue – Age Of Legends

In Virtue
Age Of Legends
Out: 21 November 2025
Playing time: 50:47

In Virtue were originally founded in 2004 in the Bay Area of California. A demo with three songs was released one year later. After the EP ‘Delusions of Grandeur’, two studio albums were released in 2008 (‘Delusions Of Grandeur’) and 2012 (‘Embrace The Horror’). After that, the band went quiet. The year 2015 marked a new beginning. Guitarist Trey Xavier moved to Los Angeles. There, he practically re-formed the band and took over the solo vocals. Nevertheless, it was not until 2025 that the third studio album ‘Age Of Legends’ was completed. In between, the only signs of life consisted of a few single releases.

‘Ascent Glorious’ is a short epic intro, but it’s dispensable. Above all because it doesn’t give any indication of what the listener can expect over the next almost fifty minutes. Even ‘Sisyphus Awakening’ is in complete contrast to what we have just heard. Here the guitars roar, sometimes frantically, and the drums boom. You can also hear evil growls. ‘Karma Loop’ is much more catchy. Also, thanks to the voice of former Delain singer Charlotte Wessels. Slightly calmer and more rhythmic than the previous song. This is followed by ‘Push That Rock’, a ballad. Initially only sparsely instrumented, powerful guitars later kick in, with a strong guitar solo. ‘Purgatory’ rocks off almost seamlessly. Heavy riffs and evil growls alternate with hectic clean vocals and no less hectic guitars. ‘Exposed’ starts off a little industrial. But soon the heavy riffs can be heard again. And only clean vocals. ‘Scream’ is a little quieter again, but more rhythmic. But also, a bit unwieldy. ‘Where The Edges Meet’ is again dominated by hard, sometimes hectic riffs that almost invite to growls. Despite this, there are always melodic sections. ‘Gunslingers Of The New American Desert’ then offers a little Wild West atmosphere to match the title, at least at the beginning. It seems a little calmer overall. In contrast to the following hectic ‘Desolation Throne’. The guitar solo also follows this hectic pace. On ‘Thoughts In Freefall’ we hear another guest appearance – David Davidson, singer and guitarist of the American thrash band Revocation. ‘The River’ is the second and no less short ballad. This time, the occasionally slightly distorted vocals are mainly accompanied by electric piano. ‘Tempus Fugue’ also starts quietly with calm vocals accompanied by acoustic guitars. The nasty growls here probably come from guest singer Chaney Crabb (Entheos) but she also contributes her clear voice. ‘Descent Limitless’ is a short melodic outro.

In Virtue do not make listening easy. Whilst the intro and the outro don’t seem to quite fit in with the rest of the hard, sometimes dissonant and hectic-sounding songs, the two short ballads also offer a strong contrast. You have to take your time and listen carefully. And the album also lives from the musical guests. A successful comeback.

In Virtue – Gunslingers of the New American Desert: https://youtu.be/eWYl7bdKCxo?si=kLk0jXHsrbh1yMAa

Lineup (unvollständig?):

Trey Xavier – Guitars, Vocals
Jamie Hush – Bass
Rami Khalaf – Guitars
Alex Nasla – Keyboards, Vocals

Track list:

• Ascent Glorious
• Sisyphus Awakening
• Karma Loop
• Push That Rock
• Purgatory
• Exposed
• Scream
• Where The Edges Meet
• Gunslingers Of The New American Desert
• Desolation Throne
• Thoughts In Freefall
• The River
• Tempus Fugue
• Descent Limitless