Review: “Nothing Is All I Am” by Virtue In Vain

“Each track represents different emotions,from panic attacks and unrelenting anger to catastrophising, and the torment of replaying your failings. This EP dives deep into pessimism and self-reflection” ~ Virtue In Vain

Welsh Metalcore merchants Virtue In Vain have spent the past twelve years creating a triology of compelling interconnected records exploring different aspects of the human condition, a journey that started back in 2014 with album “For All You Know Is The Mask I Wore“. That offered a glipse into the murky waters identity loss before 2019 follow up EP “Dusk / Dawn” change the angle of the lense, portraying an anarchic descent through one of the worst nights imaginable. The final chapter is EP “Nothing Is All I Am“, record which the band have described a raw and reflective journey about picking up the pieces and rebuilding a fractured mind. Between each of those records, the three piece have built a reputation for restless and relentless emotionally charged live performances that are powerfully intense but the question remains, have vocalist Hywel Thomas, guitarist Mason Williams and drummer Daniel Bryant suffered enough?

If you’ve never heard anything by Virtue In Vain before then it pays to put any pre-conceptions of what they might soundlike to one side before pushing the triangle on “Nothing Is All I Am“. After a thirty second introduction of programming and a moment of heavy breathing like someone has awoken from a nightmare, heavy hitting opening cut “Split” bursts into life as a cathartic single verse vent. Following a demonic roar, harsh unclean vocals flow from the very soul of Thomas, accompanied by thunderous percussive battery and spine juddering  Deathcore guitars. A short, sharp, shock of a track that goes off like a hand grenade, it serves as a wake up call for anyone who thought they might be getting something completely different courtesy of the genre tag. The sonic abrasions continue to flow in the same direction with “Blood Eyes” which sounds like something from “Slave To The Game” era Emmure with big chugging riffs laden with groove designed to get the necks snapping. Stuccato riff breaks are essential to giving the dense, crunchy guitars a real edge, the fleeting moments of silence between the chugs giving the sound greater impact. Vocal layering has also been put to great use here with Thomas having a couple of different voices so that he can mix up the attack. The surprise is the clean vocal bridge in “Between Reflections And Silence” which brings melodic touch to the blood and thunder of the piece. This one also embraces programming with some haunting synths chemically enhancing the guitar work to paint the atmosphere from black to grey while sending a shiver down the spine.

Two step Deathcore comes home to roost with “Echoes” as Virtue In Vain move away from the punishing ethereal darkness and have some fun. That’s not to say this is any less heavy but taking a leaf from the pages of Nu-Core bands like Break Fifty doesn’t always have to end in a puddle of blood, sweat and tears. Icy keys inject a mournful sense of melody in meloncholia into “The Wit & I“, a cut which returns to the earlier self loathing brutality like karma and effect. It does so in a way which resonates more deeply that some of the earlier cuts, lines like “I don’t know me without you!” leaving you with something to muse on once the headbanging is over. An almost ambient melodic break adds an ethereal beauty to the track before the guitars rise like a psychopath’s knife once more, the final verse blending the two styles like a bartender mixing a cocktail. Powerful, emotive and angst ridden with this record Virtue In Vain find a way to exile the vile and live another day [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Split
2. Blood Eyes
3. Between Reflections And Silence
4. Echoes
5. The Wit & I.

“Nothing Is All I Am” by Virtue In Vain is out 23rd Janaury 2026