Of Virtue Unveils Vulnerable Single, “Flatline”

Michigan metalcore force Of Virtue return with their deeply personal new single, “Flatline,” taken from their highly anticipated upcoming album, Death Of The Altar, out October 2nd via Arising Empire. Following the success of their 2023 album Omen, which has amassed more than 65 million streams, Of Virtue continue to evolve their distinctive blend of crushing heaviness, soaring melody and emotional honesty.

Following recent single “The End,” “Flatline” pushes deeper into the themes of mortality, self-destruction and personal accountability that run throughout Death Of The Altar. Co-written with Lee Albrecht (Bilmuri, The Devil Wears Prada) and Evan McKeever (Starset, Koe Wetzel), the track channels the frightening realization of knowing that something needs to change while feeling powerless to break destructive patterns.

Musically, “Flatline” captures that tension through Of Virtue’s signature collision of melody and intensity, turning fear and vulnerability into an urgent and deeply human metalcore anthem. At its core lies the realization that sometimes it takes a devastating wake-up call to confront your own mortality and finally begin taking responsibility for the life you have.

Speaking about the intensely personal experiences behind “Flatline,” co-vocalist Tyler Ennis shares:

“‘Flatline’ was originally written in 2022 after my dad had a massive heart attack. Everything about his life changed forever, and in a lot of ways, the same happened to me as well.

“Since 2016, I have been battling some pretty serious gastrointestinal/stomach issues alongside my mental health struggles. I have seen so many doctors and have not actually received a proper diagnosis of what is going on with me. That stress weighs on my mind every single day, and when I saw one of the people I care about the most suffer such a traumatic incident, it put my own mortality and fears on full display.

“There were times where I envisioned seeing my lifeless body because I wasn’t taking proper care of myself. I would spiral out of control, ignore pleas from friends and my own family to change my habits, knowing full well that even if they were right, it didn’t change the way I felt inside. I was fully aware of my own self-destruction, and yet at the same time, I felt powerless to stop any of it.

“Sometimes, we have to hit rock bottom to realize how special our lives can be. My dad’s heart attack, in a lot of ways, was the wake-up call I desperately needed to turn certain things in my life around and be more accountable before it becomes too late to change course.

“I’m really proud of how this song turned out, and being able to speak about this topic was something that was very important to me during this record process. I will always be an advocate of taking care of your physical + mental health and living your life to the fullest. I chose to cope with things that could kill me, and I paid a very heavy price. My advice to everyone with health issues is to enjoy the life that you want to live with limitations you set for yourself before your body decides what those limitations are going to be.

“Happiness comes with a price. I didn’t think that it meant my life.”

Carrying forward the spirit of their 2023 record, Omen, Of Virtue continue to champion vulnerability, community, and the belief that no one is defined solely by their worst decisions. With Death Of The Altar, the band refine and expand their sound, one marked by confrontation, growth, and the difficult process of letting go. Unafraid to sit in discomfort, they deliver a fearless exploration of what it takes to dismantle the parts of yourself that no longer serve you, even if it means tearing down everything that once felt like home.

On the arrival of their forthcoming record Death Of The Altar, Damon Tate shares:

“Death Of The Altar is the culmination of many emotional chapters for all of us and is, in a lot of ways, the symbolic ending that Omen touched on in some of its themes. Where Omen recounts the memoirs of someone who tried, but ultimately succumbed to their shortcomings, Death Of The Altar is the realization that the things we hold so close can often be the very same things that hurt us the most. We grow up in systems where it’s hard to disconnect from all of the noise – what people think we should be, how to fit the ‘perfect’ stereotypes, failing or falling short being seen as a weakness rather than logical progression.

“Over time, we are worn down by feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness, leading so many of us to seek out dangerous and more creative methods of coping, disguised as help. In times of desperation, we seek comfort from people hiding the truth and places that are meant to be safe but harbour disinformation, deception and deceit. The four of us are no different. We have all struggled throughout our own lives with identity crises, fitting into a world that doesn’t accept you for who you are, fostering toxic connections just for a taste of something better and wondering why we feel more hollow and empty than ever.

“Our entire journey as a band has been stepping outside of our comfort zone, and Death Of The Altar is no exception. There was a weight on us that never existed before, and we wanted to do the best we could to shoulder those expectations. This record is our band’s ego death. This record is a rude awakening to be cautious of who and what you trust with your energy and spirit. Death Of The Altar is a sobering reminder of one very important thing.

“Be careful what you wish for. It may come true and become a nightmare that is impossible to escape.”

Death Of The Altar Track Listing:

1. Death Of The Altar
2. Divinity
3. The End
4. Enemy State
5. What’s It Like To Be Happy?
6. Too Late
7. Welcome To Hell
8. The Art of Love
9. Flatline
10. Devotion
11. Can’t Keep Knockin Me Down
12. The Art Of Love & Power Tour

Of Virtue ‘Death of the Altar’ album artwork