Real music. Real people.
The Virginmarys have today released a bold and atmospheric reinterpretation of their deeply personal 2024 release The House Beyond The Fires, the new album Beyond The House Of Fires strips away the heavy distortion that defined the original recordings to reveal a more refined and vulnerable core.
With piano and string arrangements taking centre stage, the album places a greater emphasis on songwriting, allowing the band’s raw musicality and storytelling to shine through.
Frontman Ally Dickaty explains the inspiration behind the project: “I remember hearing David Bowie speak of where an artist should be standing when taking on a new project… “If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area.”
“Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting”
This always stuck and resonated with me because I believe the sentiment to so be true. Beyond The House Of Fires is the most ambitious project we’ve taken on, we wanted to give something special to fans that they may not hear elsewhere and something that collectively uses more of our influences, whilst at the same time still having the core of the Virginmarys within it.
I’m very happy with what we’ve accomplished with this record and sonically, I don’t think you’ll hear another record like it this year.”
The album has already received widespread praise from the rock press. Get Ready to Rock called it:
“A brave move which works a treat!… If you think you knew The Virginmarys, think again.”
Rawramp awarded the album 5/5, saying “The band’s brilliantly depicted musicality in ‘Beyond The House Of Fires’ is highlighted by their quality song-writing, the expressively painted moods that they develop, and the palpable emotion they provoke in every heartbeat. Impressive!”
Meanwhile, Moshville Times described the record as, “Beyond the House of Fires, re-working the sonic brilliance and relentlessness of 2024’s album into a beautiful companion piece.”
Metal Talk praised the duo’s reinvention of the material, stating: “What Virginmarys have delivered here is something very special. They have delved deep into the core of these songs and given us much more than we were aware of in their original form.”
The band’s recent single White Knuckle Riding was named Rushonrock’s Red Hot Track of the Week, with the publication writing: It’s proof positive that one of the UK’s most underrated duos continues to punch well above its weight.
The accompanying video also landed in Classic Rock’s Tracks of the Week, who praised it as “An interesting, absorbing take, executed with care and class.”
Alongside the album release, the band have also announced a UK tour beginning in Edinburgh on 28 May.
Ally adds: “This will be a tour unlike any we’ve done before, recreating the intimacy of the ’90s MTV Unplugged shows and showcasing songs from the upcoming album as well as more.
We’ll also be joined by one of our favourite guitar players, Gareth Price, while I’ll be playing piano throughout the set. We’ve also just announced IDESTROY will be joining the band on the tour.”
28 May – Edinburgh – The Mash House
29 May – Northwich – Salty Dog SOLD OUT
30 May – Wolverhampton – The Giffard SOLD OUT
31 May – Leeds – Hyde Park Book Club SOLD OUT
1 June – Barnoldswick – Barnoldswick Arts Centre SOLD OUT
4 June – Tunbridge Wells – The Forum
5 June – Norwich – Waterfront Studio
6 June – London – The Grace
7 June – St Albans – The Horn
