Virtue In Vain Talk New EP, Musical Memories And More

Welsh heavyweights VIRTUE IN VAIN return to the fold with their engulfing new EP, ‘Nothing Is All I Am’, set for release on Friday 23rd January 2026. The band kindly chatted to us here: 

 

Who is in Virtue In Vain, how did you meet and what do you play?

 

Virtue In Vain is a metalcore band from Cardiff, Wales. We are made of Hywel (Vocals), Mason (Guitar) & Dan (Drums).

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

My earliest memory is going on holiday and listening to my parent’s favorite music. So, I listened to a lot of Genius, Phil Collins, Tom Jones, Depeche Mode, SuperTramp when I was younger

 

When did you begin songwriting?

I remember writing lyrics around 12, just basic little verses of what I thought sounded good from the music I listened to.

Over the years I really developed a sense of what I song should sound like, and in the last 4 years around about, I started to be lead songwriter for Virtue In Vain

 

You have your new EP ‘Nothing Is All I Am’ released on Friday 23rd January 2026. How did you want to approach the making of the EP?

 

Yes, we do, and honestly, we cannot wait for it to come out. For this EP we knew this was the final story in the trilogy of EP’s we wanted to put out so we were focused on ensuring this was the perfect ending to that story.

To be honest, we scrapped an entire EPs of songs and restarted it as it wasn’t up to the standard we expected for ourselves. We wanted to make sure what we released was the absolute best of us and we were true to the story and to ourselves as musicians.

 

Where did you record the EP and who produced it?

We recorded with Avenue Studios who we recorded our last two singles with. We hired out various studios to record the songs and worked alongside him to bring out the best of us.

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

When we went to record, we hired a place to stay which turned out to be a very lovely apartment which was bigger than our homes. Mason had the idea to record a little ‘MTV Cribs’ video to show it off, which took so long to film as we kept laughing

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

Honestly, we didn’t, we really used our own equipment and what was available at the studio. Really the work around the sound was done in pre and post production making sure the additional layers to the core sound of the music complimented each other.

 

Which of your new EP tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

 

At my happiest maybe Echoes, it isn’t the happiest song, but the song has such a groove it’s hard to stand still while we play it.

Angrist it is Blood eyes. The song really is about anger, and it was important for me to ensure that came across in the vocals and lyrics

Between Reflection & Silence is the most reflective for me as it is an insight into the way I think and approach things. When writing that song it went through so many different versions of lyrics until we reached what was recorded. It was important for me that the song reflected how I felt.

 

Was it a difficult EP to write?

Yes absolutely. We really did throw away so many ideas that had some merit but were just not the best we could produce. On top of that lyrically I have never been more vulnerable in my songwriting which we wanted to ensure came across in each song.

 

Who designed the EP artwork?

I (Hywel) did, I adore the artwork attached to albums and I wanted the artwork for the EP and singles to reflect exactly the vision I had.

 

Does the EP title have any significance/special meaning?

 

‘Nothing Is All I Am’ is a statement that reflects the feeling in oneself after losing who they are and everything that makes them who they are. It’s the phase of vocalizing that you have lost so much and need to rebuild again.

 

One of the tracks is the single ‘Blood Eyes’ which is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

 

Blood Eyes is all about how overflowing anger spills over into uncontrolled thoughts and outbursts. The feeling that such a volatile emotion can control you and cause you to really lose yourself in the moment.

The lyrics in Blood Eyes really had to reflect that feeling. The verses are more fast-paced to show that adrenaline-filled state of mind, telling a story of anguish and hate.

 

The track is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

 

The vision for the video was clear that we wanted to keep the look simple but have a chaotic feel to the video. The idea for playing blind folded was something we had from the very start with the ‘Blood’ at the end to be only a small part of the video.

 

It was directed and shot by Kieran at GLK Media. He is an incredibly talented videographer whose work speaks for itself. Our vision could not have been completed without his skills and expertise.

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My hometown is Cardiff, my 5 words would be: Welsh, passion, community, rain & potential

 

How do you look after your voices?

I do a lot of vocal practice to keep myself prepared. My voice is a muscle and it is important to train it. I also use Vocalzone to help me on days where I need a little help protecting my throat.

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2026?

Our EP release show is on the 24th of January just a day after we release our EP. We are currently working on lots of live dates all over the UK in 2026 and hope to get into Europe ASAP.

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

We hope that we have entertained those who have watched us. To allow someone to escape even for a little while.

Secondly, we hope we have left an impression, even if we are not exactly someone’s music taste, we try our best to put on a show that you can enjoy and remember.

 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

 

Mason and I use Shure products for our wireless which have been great to allow us the ability to freely roam the stage. Additionally, we use Quad cortex to get our signature tone. Our drummer uses Meinl cymbals and is adamant on the type and size to get the exact sound he needs.

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Oh, what a good question, see a bit of the normal but I am a fan of Mike Hranica’s books from The Devil Wears Prada. So, I would

 

 Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

 

Make Them Suffer & The Devil Wears Prada as a start but there are so many. Bleed From Within, Architects, Spirit Box, Like Moths To Flames. So many great musicians are around lately.

 

What makes Virtue In Vain happy and what makes you unhappy?

 

Creating music and playing live shows makes us happy. We were talking the other day while traveling to a show that we wouldn’t change for anything. The journey to different places and meeting so many people.

 

I would say seeing so many local venues closing down makes us unhappy. We recently lost the hive in Rotherham as a music venue which is very sad. It was a venue that was so kind to us and really made us feel welcome and safe. We are big advocates of supporting the music scene and keeping venues going and watching live music.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By San PR

VIRTUE IN VAIN will release their new EP, ‘Nothing Is All I Am’ on Friday 23rd January 2026.

Pre-order/Pre-save here: https://nfan.link/nothingisalliam

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ysLwiCUToDZJljLCmcINg

Official Website: https://www.virtueinvain.com/