I had not heard of IN VIRTUE as a band before I blindly requested I review their new album "Age of Legends", which just meant that everything that was going to come my way would be a compete surprise. The sole criterium I based my request on was the fact that IN VIRTUE is supposed to be playing Progressive Metal. And hooray, they do, albeit with a lot of Power Metal and Death Metal parts and influences thrown in when appropriate. I now have learnt that the band hails from a place called Rohnert Park, which is in the US state of California. I also found out that they have been making music since 2004. And that they already gave us studio albums in 2008 ("Delusions Of Grandeur") and 2012 ("Embrace The Horror"). It has taken them some thirteen years to allow us as an audience to enjoy their third attempt at world domination, which they named "Age of Legends".

And I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised by the music that is on offer, but also at the quality at what IN VIRTUE is capable of delivering. Sometimes you just think you are listening to something else, like when you hear "Karma Loop". Due to the involvement of the female Dutch master vocalist Charlotte Wessels and the way the song is structured you might think that you are listening to music that is typical AYREON. On the other hand, you will hear a lot more that will make "Age of Legends" sound to you as if you are listening to a Power Metal version of OPETH. And before you ask, yes, I do mean that as a compliment. But what all this does have in common is that the main denominator is Progressive Metal, but with very contemporary sounds, rhythms and structures. IN VIRTUE definitely has both feet in the 21^st century, and more importantly, in the twenties of it.

What has me jumping for joy even more is the fact that even though this is a concept album, and it does show from time to time, every song and every tune on "Age of Legends" has its own identity. You have the impressive build up in "Push That Rock",  the deep and profound lyrics in "Exposed" and "Where The Edges Meet", the beautiful structure in "Sisyphus Awakening" and "Gunslingers of the New American Desert". I could go on like this until I've mentioned every song on this "Age of Legends" album, but I feel that you need to find out how good this version of IN VIRTUE is yourself. I myself am extremely glad I took that leap of faith.