Culture
Of Virtue talk ‘Omen,’ mental health, and break through at Inkcarceration’s main stage
By: Bradley Cunningham
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MANSFIELD, Ohio (WOUB) – Metalcore group Of Virtue played the 2025 Inkcarceration Music and Tattoo Festival earlier this month. WOUB’s Bradley Cunningham interviewed vocalist Tyler Ennis and drummer Ryan Trinh.
Find a transcript of their conversation, edited for length and clarity, below.
Bradley Cunningham: Omen just hit 50 million streams. Congrats on that milestone. What does that kind of reception mean to you after making that record?
Ryan Trinh: First and foremost, thank you for that—it means the world to us. We believed in this record before it came out, but I don’t think any of us expected any specific number to come from it. We weren’t chasing streams, just trying to make something real. To see it hit over 50 million? It almost doesn’t feel real. It hasn’t fully hit us that we created something that connected with people like that. We’re stoked.
Of Virtue is a blend of four cultural backgrounds. How do those differences bring the band together?
Trinh: We’re a culturally diverse band, and we really pride ourselves on that. I’m Chinese and Vietnamese—Asian Canadian. Damon is half Mexican and African American. Mike is Hispanic. Tyler is our token Caucasian, who we love dearly. [laughs] You don’t see a lot of bands with members from so many different racial backgrounds. We hear it all the time—and we embrace that uniqueness. It’s part of who we are.
How does that diversity affect your sound? Are you bringing in influences from those different backgrounds?
Tyler Ennis: I love that question. We all come from such different musical upbringings. Damon and Mike are the original members, and I joined in 2016. I came from a rock background—I actually used to hate screaming. I thought it was the weirdest thing. Now it’s a big part of what I do.
But once you’re in the scene and you’re surrounded by different sounds and people with different musical histories, it changes you. You start to realize that it’s not always about lyrics—it’s about feeling. Emotion in the music, the performance, the songwriting—it all matters. Damon and Mike don’t write songs that just sound cool. They write what feels real. Same with Ryan—he doesn’t just throw in a drum fill to fill space. It has to mean something.
Are you writing your music with that live energy in mind—something people can feel and move to?
Ennis: Definitely. Our last studio session was really special because we were all together. Ryan lives in Canada, so usually we write separately—FaceTiming, sending stuff back and forth. But this time, we were all in the same room. It brought a whole new energy.
There was one song we were working on where we all looked at each other like, “What is going on?” It felt uncomfortable. But we pushed through it, gave feedback, and it turned into something we all loved.
Trinh: That one was a journey. We started with an instrumental we liked, but it didn’t quite land. Having all four of us there helped us build it up from the ground. Everyone added their input to shape it into something better. We even scrapped a couple of songs that didn’t feel right. It’s a lot of trial and error—but that’s part of the writing process.
Are you ever combining different versions or parts of songs together?
Trinh: All the time. We’ll take a verse melody and move it to the chorus, switch things around. Sometimes it makes the song a thousand times better. Sometimes it doesn’t. But at least we try. Every song is a collaborative effort—we’re not just one person with a vision. We’re a band. That’s what makes it work.
I love that. It reminds me of The Chain by Fleetwood Mac—three different songs blended into one. That kind of collaboration can lead to something powerful.
Trinh: Exactly. And sometimes, it’s chaos before it makes sense. But it’s worth it.
You’ve been open about mental health, therapy, and working with Heart Support. How do you balance that with the demands of touring and creating music?
Ennis: It’s tough—honestly, this year’s been the hardest mentally for me. I’ve had family health issues, went through a breakup, and have been going through a lot personally. But what’s helped is being able to talk openly with each other.
We’ve learned that it’s better to say how you feel—even if it’s hard. Sometimes that means apologizing. Sometimes it means uncomfortable conversations. But it keeps us close. We’re on tour together for a month at a time, and you can’t bottle things up.
I also started therapy this year, which was a big step. It’s scary talking to someone who can actually help you process things. I used to vent on social media just to let people know they’re not alone—but now I’m doing the work privately too. It’s helping.
Trinh: And honestly, even things like eating better help. I kept telling Tyler, “Just eat, dude. Eat more protein.” And it’s made a difference. Touring wears you down if you don’t take care of yourself.
Ennis: I feel the best I’ve ever felt on the road. My old mindset was, “If I don’t eat, I’ll feel good.” That didn’t work. Now I’m learning healthier habits—and I’m grateful for my bandmates for that.
How did it feel opening the main stage at Inkcarceration for the first time?
Ennis: Absolutely amazing.
Trinh: It was a dream. I can’t say enough good things about Danny Wimmer festivals. Everything’s smooth. The crowds are awesome. And once we’re off stage, it’s chill—great food, great people, good vibes. Couldn’t ask for a better way to start the weekend.
Bonus question: Who’s on your Mount Rushmore of music?
Ennis: Breaking Benjamin. One of my all-time favorites. Story of the Year—they’re the reason I even got into music. My brother played their stuff growing up. We Came As Romans got me into heavy music. And Three Days Grace. That band changed me.
Trinh: I’m the 27-year-old metalcore kid in the band. So, A Day to Remember is huge for me. Wage War too. Then a curveball—Dua Lipa. Her melodies, her vibe—it’s all feel-good and catchy. And for my fourth? Gotta say Slipknot.