This album was released on May 24^th, 2019 on SharpTone Records.

I talked about how Stay Sick Recordings was signing every upcoming metalcore and deathcore band under the sun in my review of Extortionist’s Self Titled, but SharpTone Records may be doing even better, picking up seasoned veterans, fan favorites, and overall successful bands. When SharpTone signed Michigan metalcore band Of Virtue, there were always going to be big shoes to fill. For a label to sign heavyweights like Currents, Polaris, and more, a band with not a huge amount of national recognition was an interesting pickup for the label. The gamble paid off though, and What Defines You, while being fairly generic and not separating itself from its contemporaries, is a very fun, bouncy, enjoyable metalcore album that will surely put them in the eyes of a lot more fans.

The five-piece band is no stranger to experience, having been a band since 2009 and releasing several projects before their major-label debut. This definitely was a major positive in the writing process, as the songs are written down to every intricate note, and every vocal melody and guitar riff is pinpoint-precise. Speaking of the riffs, Damon Tate and Michael Valadez weave together some masterful introductions before Tyler Ennis comes in and shreds the song to pieces with his intense screaming.

The vocal delivery is one of my favorite aspects of this album. Ennis is a wonderful screamer, and his performance should not go unnoticed. Songs like “Thanks for Nothing” and “Surrounded” are highlights of his delivery, and his penmanship is also above-average in terms of metalcore writers. There are some songs where some cliché lyrics make for stadium-chanting choruses (“Immortal”) but overall, the lyrics are a very solid addition to the instrumentals of What Defines You.

While this album is bouncy, exciting, and fun, What Defines You suffers from a lack of originality. “Suffer” sounds like a Like Moths to Flames instrumental, and while that isn’t a bad thing, there isn’t anything that stands out from many of the other bands that Of Virtue is rising up with. The sparse electronic elements are a nice touch, but they don’t really make a difference as far as being an integral part of the songs (the ticking in “Immortal” is something that I keep thinking about while I type this). Overall, they could’ve done without them, but them being in the song is not a detriment.

Overall, the album runs for forty minutes and isn’t boring for about 90% of that. Some sections in songs are a little lacking, and that’s because of that lack of uniqueness that was mentioned earlier. Regardless, SharpTone made the right decision to sign this band and release this album. This record may not be what defines Of Virtue, but it’s sure as hell on the right path.

Rating: 7/10

Favorite Songs: “No Control”, “Thanks for Nothing”, “Surrounded”