VIRTUE IN VAIN - "BLOOD EYES," SINGLE REVIEW

South Wales metal-core band Virtue In Vain waste no time whatsoever on "Blood Eyes," The track detonates from the first second with a surging, bend-heavy guitar riff, the kind of string-warping 'bendy boi' (a favourite of mine) work that instantly grabs your attention. The drums lock in with equal ferocity, double-bass pedals firing in relentless bursts, creating a rhythmic nightmare assault that perfectly compliments the guitarist's urgency.

The vocalist enters immediately, unleashing a deep, soul-scraping guttural that matches the instrumental aggresion beat for beat. Before the halfway mark, the band are already cycling through a barrage of layered screams, soaring highs, and intricate riffs. The production balances chaos with clarity: those pedal kicks cut through the mix without overshadowing the guitar's razor-sharp riffs. The recurring line "there is no escape" acts as an anchor, pulling the listener deeper into the track's dark momentum. As the growls multiple and the band surges behind the vocalist, there's a palpable chemistry at play. They're tight, confident and well-rehearsed. Midway through, Virtue In Vain channel a distinct "Lamb of God" energy, with groove-laced aggresion and well-timed pauses that give the vocals room to dominate. The switch between clean vocals and gutturals is effective, it feels purposeful rather than obligatory and adds depth rather than breaking their ongoing intensity.

Towards the final stretch, the track hints at Lorna Shore-style brutality, with tastefully integrated pig-squeal noises that feel like inspiration rather than imitation. It is subtle but adds to the climactic build. "Blood Eyes" is accompanied by an immersive, visually striking music video, bathing everything in red whilst the vocalist performs blindfolded. The imagery raises questions, blindness, violence, blood and turmoil - whatever the intention, it heightens the track's sense of cluastrophobic tension and emotional weight. The finale hits like a live-festival moment: guitars screaming, vocals erupting in a final howl. It is easy to imagine this shaking the grounds of Bloodstock, and Virtue In Vain feel like exactly the kind of band primed for that stage. "Blood Eyes" is a tight, vicious, atmospheric track bursting with personality, a powerful statement track from a band confidently carving out their space in the metal-core scene.