ARISING EMPIRE News: Hopsydian, Of Virtue, Our Mirage
Italian metalcore new signings Hopsydian stream first single on Arising Empire.
Freshly signed metalcore outfit Hopsydian unveil their brand-new single 'DEVOTE' - a track that doesn’t just introduce the band’s next step, but defines the core of who they are.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/HRGjnBJ07Kw
Formed in Milan in 2024, Hopsydian have quickly built a reputation for blending sacral, ritualistic atmospheres with modern metalcore power, alt-metal sharpness, and post-hardcore urgency. 'DEVOTE' captures this duality perfectly: cinematic tension and dark elegance collide with crushing riffs, explosive dynamics, and massive, chant-ready choruses where beauty and brutality exist side by side .
At the heart of Hopsydian’s sound lies contrast. The band explore worship, love, obsession, sin, and the seductive temptation of becoming God - framing desire as devotion and temptation as salvation. Their name, derived from hope and obsidian, reflects this very balance: resilience and rebirth set against shadow and transgression. 'DEVOTE' feels like a ceremony in motion, slowly building atmosphere before erupting into moments designed to be shouted back from the crowd.
Despite having released only a handful of songs so far, Hopsydian have already proven their impact beyond the studio. In 2025, they made their live debut on the Slam Dunk Italy main stage, sharing the bill with international heavyweights before going on to support Caskets in Milan - a clear signal that momentum is already on their side.
With 'DEVOTE,' Hopsydian step into a new chapter - darker, bolder, and more intentional than ever. This is not just a single release, but the foundation of an era built on ceremony, contrast, and conviction. And if this track is any indication, Hopsydian are only just beginning to reveal how far their devotion will go.
Of Virtue steam new single 'Death of the Altar'
Michigan metalcore outfit, Of Virtue, have today released their brand new single, 'Death of the Altar', via Arising Empire alongside a haunting new video. Teased across the band's socials in the lead-up to the release, the track arrives as Of Virtue's first new offering of 2026 and a vicious continuation of the world they build on their 2023 record, Omen, which racked up an impressive 65 million streams since its release.
Watch the video for 'Death of the Altar' here: https://youtu.be/tQWPDB4C8oQ
Built on tight, searing riffs, gut-punching breakdowns, and a chorus that refuses to let go, 'Death of the Altar' leans into the intensity and emotional honest that have become Of Virtue's calling card. Co-written alongside Lee Albrecht (Bilmuri, The Devil Wears Prada, etc) and Evan McKeever (Starset, Koe Wetzel, etc), the track features the band's ongoing focus on addiction, mental health, and the stigma surrounding both, turning that internal fight into something loud, physical, and communal.
Directed by none other than Blackwolf Imaging and Levine Pictures, the 'Death of the Altar' music video pushes those themes into stark, ritualistic imagery that blurs the line between sacrifice and liberation. It sees the band confronting the weight of their own devotion, refusing to keep sacrificing themselves to old expectations and narratives.
Reflecting on the band's 2026 return and the story behind the track, vocalist and guitarist Damon Tate shares:
"It's felt like forever since we have put out new music and we are so excited to show everybody what we have been crafting over the past couple of years!
"We trade our health, clarity, and connection for things that never truly love us back on a daily basis. More often than not, we don't recognize the consequences of our choices/actions until it's too late. The guilt sets in and we set out to self soothe, compounding these negative emotions with even worse decisions, losing more of ourselves in the process. This song is our open admission that we as human beings are both worshipper and offering. 'Death of the Altar' is a stark metaphor for how chasing these ephemeral moments exploits our need for meaning, belonging and connection in this world.”
Harnessing the potent fusion of powerful melodies and emotionally charged lyrics, Of Virtue maintain a steadfast commitment to authenticity, consistently redefining the genre while staying true to their artistic essence. Beloved across 35 countries and having performed at multiple Danny Wimmer festivals, Upheaval, Full Force, Summer Breeze, and Pulp Summer Slam amongst many others, it's no surprise that they've shared stages with bands such as Slipknot, Bad Omens, Nothing More, and Three Days Grace. Beyond their musical prowess, the metal powerhouse also serve as passionate mental health advocates on and off stage. Often seen using their platform to raise awareness and openly discuss these vital issues, Of Virtue have become a source of hope and inspiration for countless fans facing similar challenges.
Carrying forward the spirit of their 2023 record, Omen, Of Virtue continue to champion vulnerability, community, and the belief that no one is defined solely by their worst decisions. With 'Death of the Altar' standing as the next chapter, the band further their evolution with a fearless, unflinching look at what it means to reclaim your life, even when it means burning down everything that once felt familiar.
Be sure to stay tuned for more Of Virtue news coming very soon.
Our Mirage stream album release day single feat. Elwood Stray
Our Mirage have entered their next era with the release of their brand-new album Fractured Minds - a record that doesn’t just continue their rise, but cements their status as one of the most impactful metalcore acts on a global scale.
To celebrate the release, they have droppeda video for new single 'The Chase' featuring Elwood Stray. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/kgR1QBWU8xc
Following a massive breakthrough album cycle that began in 2025, Our Mirage have experienced a relentless upward trajectory. What started as a steady build quickly turned into an international surge, pushing the band to over 350,000 unique monthly listeners on Spotify and placing them among the most-streamed metalcore acts worldwide. With each release, their audience grew louder, broader, and more deeply connected to the band’s emotionally charged sound.
Fractured Minds feels like the logical next step - and at the same time, a bold evolution. The album dives headfirst into themes of inner conflict, mental strain, and emotional fracture, translating vulnerability into anthemic heaviness. Balancing crushing riffs with soaring melodies and raw, honest lyricism, Our Mirage refine the sound that carried them through their breakthrough while sharpening its edge even further.
What sets the band apart has always been their ability to combine modern metalcore intensity with genuine emotional weight - and on Fractured Minds, that balance is pushed to new extremes. The songs hit hard, but they linger longer, resonating far beyond the final breakdown.
>From a defining run in 2025 to the release of Fractured Minds today, Our Mirage have proven that their rise is no accident. This album doesn’t just capture where the band is right now - it signals where they’re heading next. And judging by the momentum behind them, Our Mirage are no longer just part of the global metalcore conversation - they’re helping lead it.
Catch the band live on their headline tour:
30.01.26 – München, Backstage Club
31.01.26 – Frankfurt, Batschkapp
05.02.26 – Hannover, Kulturzentrum Faust
06.02.26 – Hamburg, Molotow
07.02.26 – Göttingen, Musa
11.02.26 – Leipzig, Conne Island
12.02.26 – Berlin, Hole 44
13.02.26 – Münster, Sputnikhalle
14.02.26 – Bremen, Tower
20.02.26 – Stuttgart, Im Wizemann (Club)
21.02.26 – Köln, Essigfabrik
14.03.26 – Essen, Zeche Carl
Quelle: Hold Tight