Macclesfield rock duo Virgin Marys drop new single "Northwest Cost"

Macclesfield’s power duo The Virginmarys announce their fourth studio album The House Beyond The Fires, accompanied by new single and video Northwest Coast. A slight tongue in cheek homage to the Northwest of England that flows like poetry in Ally Dkty’s lyrics along with the groove of his guitar and the ferociousness of Danny Dolan’s drums - all of the ingredients that make this duo so unique.

Frontman Ally states, “Northwest Coast is the first single to be released from the album, it’s a perfect glimpse of all that’s to come. It starts with one of the best riffs I’ve written, and the groove works incredibly. The track fuses different genres and is a little ‘tongue in cheek’ lyrically, repping the gritty realness and beauty of the Northwest of England.”

“The House Beyond The Fires” is the band’s first album since they reformed as a two piece in 2021, teaming up with Dave Draper to produce the drums and guitars (Terrorvision, The Wildhearts) and Karl Daniel Lidén from Sweden for the mix and mastering - an instant go-to after hearing his work (Dozer, Greenleaf) and this approach has certainly paid off.

Ally continues, “We have always been renowned for the power and energy of our live performances and strived to recreate that intensity through the production and mix of the records. I feel like we’ve really turned a corner with this album”

The official video was the brainchild of Drummer Danny Dolan shot with Joel Gardner and you can watch it below:

6 years in the making, and a worthy follow up to their previous Top 10 “Heatseekers” Charting album Northern Sun Sessions – “The House Beyond The Fires” brings a collection of anthemic, hard hitting Alt/Rock tracks with a punk edge.

The album carries a deep personal significance for the band as Ally tells us:

“This album is a tribute to Danny’s Dad, Tommy Dolan, who passed away last year. It’s difficult to articulate how much he meant to us and how deep the grief runs within all who loved him. The LP is a direct reference to his notorious shop, The House of Fires; it felt fitting to make a direct reference to his love, support and influence in the album title.”

He continues, “This will also be the first album released in becoming a two-piece, We have grown a lot in the last few years by tuning into our creative synergy and transposing it into our most impactful work to date.”

“The House Beyond The Fires” takes you on an all-encompassing journey with more earworms than ever before, from the stunningly powerful Lights Go Down to the meaningful Dance To The City which revists the Manchester music scene of old, the cliques, the gatekeepers and the struggles of a modern band, while also being a song of reflection for Tommy Dolan who was a big part of the Manchester scene. White Knuckle Riding is a deeper track that takes on the daily struggles with mental health, There Ain’t No Future hits you with the funk and builds up into an angry ‘in your face’ chorus giving us that raw energy we have come to expect from the duo.

“The House Beyond The Fires” is out on 1st November 2024 and is available to pre-order now on White vinyl, Fire vinyl, CD and more at their website HERE.

And….. The Virginmarys have just announced a 19 date extensive headline tour across the UK and Europe which kicks off in their hometown of Macclesfield and finishes in London. This comes after some heavy touring where they have supported the likes of Massive Wagons, Sisters of Mercy and most recently Ugly Kid joe - they had such a great time that they were invited out with them again to play some dates this August across the UK.

Confirmed tour dates

26th July - Custom Rock and Blues Festival, Ripley

3rd Aug - Pride Rock, Brighton

25th Aug - Rockwitch Festival, Northwich

26th Aug - The Parish, Huddersfield ** Ugly Kid Joe

27th Aug - Zumhof Biergarten, Birmingham ** Ugly Kid Joe

29th Aug - Concorde 2, Brighton ** Ugly Kid Joe

30th Aug - MK11 Live Music Venue, Milton Keynes ** Ugly Kid Joe

31st Aug - The 1865, Southampton ** Ugly Kid Joe

1st Sept - Princess Pavilion, Falmouth ** Ugly Kid Joe

28th Sept - NWOCR Live, KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton

2nd Nov - Cinemac Cinema, Macclesfield **Headline Tour