Let me set the scene. I am sitting here on a beautiful April evening, listening to the reinterpretation of my favourite album by The Virginmarys, the wonderful The House Beyond The Fires, while the sun shines in through the window. Not bad being a writer for MetalTalk? I am absolutely dumbstruck because even though I know these songs well, it sounds like a completely different record.
The Virginmarys – Beyond The House Of Fires
Release Date: 22 May 2026
Words: Kenny Kendrick
I actually get quite emotional while the songs drift into my headphones. While the original tracks work superbly, the stripped-down versions are more immersive and strike a very different nerve.
My initial thoughts were why mess with perfection? This is why. Beyond The House Of Fires works so well that I think every band should do it.
Imagine having two amazing versions of your favourite records that can fit different moods. Take There Ain’t No Future, for example. The original is a frenetic, punk rock Arctic Monkeys/Royal Blood-tinged banger. Here, it becomes something fragile, beautiful and cathartic. A totally different song, but the same wonderful. That is not to say that we lose any of the power of the original songs. In fact, I would argue that they are more powerful in their more vulnerable states.
The band cite their love of the ’90s phase of artists performing on MTV Unplugged as frontman Ally Dickaty explains. “Growing up in the ’90s, we used to really love the MTV unplugged albums that the big rock bands would release, showcasing a completely different and more intimate side of the songs, often with different instrumentation.
“This is what we’ve done with Beyond The House Of Fires, and it’s been great to bring all those influences we’ve often cited, Neil Young, Pink Floyd, the Beatles, Peter Green, more to the forefront. I am extremely proud of this piece of work, and I hope the fans love it as much as we do.”
My favourite reimagined track here has to be the sublime When The Lights Go Down. I have one of those moments when I know that music is touching my very soul. The goosebumps on the arm reaction. Absolutely euphoric.
How are the duo going to make this work live on their upcoming UK tour? I’ll let Dickaty explain. “This will be a tour unlike any we have done before, recreating the intimacy of the ’90s MTV unplugged shows and showcasing all the songs from the upcoming album. We’ll also be joined by one of our favourite guitar players, Gareth Price, whilst I will be playing piano throughout the set.”
What Virginmarys have delivered here is something very special. They have delved deep into the core of these songs and given us much more than we were aware of in their original form.
The strength and power remain. Have a listen for yourself.
The Virginmarys release Beyond The House Of Fires on 22 May 2026. For pre-orders, visit thevirginmarys.com/store. Following performances at Beaverfest and Breaking Bands Fest, the band hit the road on tour on 28 May 2026. Tickets are available from thevirginmarys.com/tour. Dates in Norwich, Wolverhampton and Barnoldswick are already sold out.
