It’s already six years ago since The Virginmarys released an album. There has been the EP Devil Keeps Coming in 2022, but they took quite a break from releasing long-plays. On 1st November 2024, they share some new rock tunes with The House Beyond The Fires. I had a listen.
The Virignmarys – About The Artists
The Virginmarys are a British rock duo founded in 2006. Ally Dickaty and Danny Dolan initially worked as a trio with another musician, before they went on the two person setting. Their roots are in Macclesfield South of Manchester. So far, The Viginmarys have released four albums. The last one, however, is Northern Sun Sessions released in 2018. There has also been a deluxe version one year later. The only album release making it to the album charts is their 2013 King of Conflict (UK#93, US Heat #8). The key driver of that is the single release Dead Man’s Shoes, which for example peaked 17th in the Canadian rock charts.
The Virignmarys – The House Beyond The Fires – Track by Track
The eleven track album lasts 39 minutes.
1. White Knuckle Riding
White Knuckle Riding allows itself a slow and melancholic one minute intro, before the song fully kicks off. With the chorus latest, the song is at a very different level. It feels energetic, but also desperate and angry. Day in, day out, I feel white knuckle riding. Cool opener.
2. There Ain’t No Future
There Ain’t No Future has already been released as a feature. The song comes with cool rock vibes and a catching bass groove. Modern British alternative rock at a great level – this one is made to have an exciting listen!
3. When The Lights Go Down
The Virgnmarys present another song next, which has also been released before the album. When Te Lights Go Down is not as energetic as the song before. Therefor, the melodic style stays in your mind. The song has a good speed and the repetitive style makes it stay in your mind easily.
4. You’re A Killer
The House Beyond The Fires continues with You’re A Killer. The song is driven by great work on the guitar, which create a treat in the riff section. Together with the hammering drums and its speed, this song drives definitely drives your attention and makes you look for the tour dates – which is kicking off right after album release.
5. Trippin’ New York City
The song might have the same ingredients like the ones before, but it creates a very different style. I especially like Ally Dickaty’s voice in Trippin’ New York City, which quickly changes between angry and very gentle moments.
6. My Nettle
The riffs in My Nettle make the song march forward steadily and relentlessly. It feels like the verses are gathering the energy, which is necessary for the rock music explosion in the chorus. The latter, by the way, could be really fun on the upcoming The Virginmarys tour.
7. Lies, Lies, Lies
Already the first riffs of Lies, Lies, Lies tell you: this one is gonna be a hard one. Especially the chorus is not lacking brutality at all. If you rather lean towards hard rock and heavier rock genres, you will definitely praise the British duo during these 3:37 minutes.
8. Northwest Coast
After this rocking firework, Northwest Coast feels very gentle and melodic. But that’s just due to the big contrast, the two guys are still strumming their guitars quite intensively in here. This eighth track has a nice staccato style and a cool groove as well – I like it!
9. Where Are You Now?
The last previously released song of The House Beyond The Fires is Where Are You Now?. The song starts gentle, almost a bit of kitschy – but with the chorus latest, Ally Dickaty and Danny Dolan show what they are in fact: damn cool rockers.
10. Dance To The City
There is it again: the cool and staccato-style of The Virginmarys, which create so strong vibes and a cool feeling of speed. Even though the lyric side of the song is comparably slow, this leads to a great touch of power and rock energy.
11. Urban Seagull
The chucker-out of the 2024 The Virginmarys album is Urban Seagull. You might feel that the band is going for a gentle fade-out of their album initially, but – again – they also have some powerful parts in here. Nonetheless, the contrast of fine and rocking melodies lead to a very pleasing finale of this album.
The Virignmarys – The House Beyond The Fires – Spotify
Here is the album on Spotify:
The Virignmarys – The House Beyond The Fires – My View
The House Beyond The Fires is a really fun alternative rock firework. The duo does an excellent job on the instrumental side and also recorded a very versatile and energetic album. It is really enjoyable listening to The Virginmarys during these 39 minutes.
Favorite Song: Lies, Lies, Lies
The Virginmarys – Tour 2024
Right after album release, the British alternative rockers tour with their album:
Sa 02.11.2024 | Macclesfield (United Kingdom) – Cinematic Live | |
Su 03.11.2024 | Nottingham – Bodega Social | |
Mo 04.11.2024 | Glasgow – Attic Bar | |
Tu 05.11.2024 | Newcastle – The Cluny | |
Th 07.11.2024 | Norwich – Waterfront | |
Sa 16.11.2024 | Aldershot – West End Centre | |
We 20.11.2024 | Prague (Czechia) – Cafe V Lese | |
Sa 23.11.2024 | Milan (Italy) – Legend Club | |
Tu 26.11.2024 | Zurich (Switzerland) – X-tra Musikcafe | |
Th 28.11.2024 | Cologne (Germany) – Blue Shell | |
Fr 29.11.2024 | Hamburg – Molotow Skybar | |
Mo 02.12.2024 | Berlin – Badehaus | |
Tu 03.12.2024 | Munich – Orangehouse Feierwerk | |
We 04.12.2024 | Mainz – Kulturclub Schon Schön | |
Sa 07.12.2024 | Bristol (United Kingdom) – Exchange | |
Su 08.12.2024 | London – Oslo |
British Rock Music Postings
Here are all my Music & Media postings, which are related to the United Kingdom and rock music:
Postings with Tour Dates 2024
Here are postings released in 2024, which contain tour dates: