“There ain’t no future, Halle-fuckin-lujah!” Spits Ally Dickaty two songs into the magnificent new opus from Macclesfield duo The Virginmarys. That diatribe sums up the frustration, the anger and the pent-up aggression of not just a small-town northern band, but the collective of a whole generation who face an uncertain future in 2024. 

Right now feels like a time where bands with something to say will shine. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ren, Delilah Bon and Bob Vylan, The Virginmarys join a whole host of artists who are pissed off and shouting from the rooftops social/political commentary, tackling the subject paths others fear to tread.

For a band who came close to throwing in the towel a few years back, The Virginmarys sound invigorated and ready to take on the world with ‘The House Beyond the Fires’, their fourth album, produced by Ally and go-to-guy Dave Draper.

The picked chords and sweeping strings of cinematic opener ‘White Knuckle Ride’ creates atmosphere in the same way ‘Ends Don’t Mend’ closed the debut album ‘King Of Conflict’ over a decade ago. Intentionally or not, maybe The Virginmarys have come full circle in that time? Sonically at least the duo retain all the fire and energy of a band on their first record. The big riffs, melodies and powerhouse beats remain as solid as the friendship of singer/guitarist Ally Dickaty and drummer Danny Dolan. 

‘The House Beyond the Fires’ is a viscous snarling beast from beginning to end. The singles released in the lead up shine strong on first listen. ‘Northwest Coast’ with its stabbing power chords and bombastic drums is full of northern grit and bleak desperation, like a band teetering on the edge, pulling the pin from a musical hand-grenade with their teeth. It’s glorious. 

Second single and second track on the album ‘There Ain’t No Future’ is quite possibly the best rock song of the year. If MTV was still a music channel, that striking video would be on heavy rotation, it’s a song that should be a standard on rock radio right now. Punchy as fuck, both lyrically and musically. And most recently ‘When The Light’s Go Down’, with its hi hat count and crunchy riff is about as AC/DC as you get in 2024, but the infectious melody and songwriting suss of Ally takes it to a different place entirely. The duo weave their sonic tapestry to great effect, creating dark atmospheres with urgent rhythms, effect-ridden guitars and clever use of space.

Elsewhere, ‘You’re A Killer’ is dark and edgy, punky goodness, ‘Trippin’ New York City’ is a funky curveball with killer dynamics and guitars that are sloppy as fuck, right up my street.

The intensity builds song after song culminating mid-album with the acerbic ‘Lies Lies Lies’ a brutal assault on the senses that just makes you wanna turn it up and turn it on. 

Ally is one of those songwriters that has a knack of creating imagery in his songs and putting you in a certain mind frame, ‘Where Are You Now’ is a tune that does just that. The loud/quiet/loud formula is delivered with passion, emotion and angst in equal measures. The epic ‘Dance To The City’ then veers towards Trail Of Dead territory, before closer ‘Urban Seagull’ throws one last curveball. 

‘The House Beyond The Fires’ is dedicated to Danny’s father Tommy who passed away last year. He was a big inspiration to Ally in his songwriting and the boys have done him proud. 

Equal parts emotive and raging, passionate and powerful, The  Virginmarys have delivered a masterpiece with ‘The House Beyond The Fires’. A modern rock record that is up there with the best albums this year. Essential listening. 

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Author: Ben Hughes