In a new collaboration, Conquer Divide and Of Virtue have joined forces to create an earth shattering new single, “Bad Dreams.” This track is a certified banger, with an incredible verse delivered by Tyler Ennis from Of Virtue, and its release has built anticipation for Conquer Divide’s current UK and European tour.
“Bad Dreams” production is polished, yet still punches with a heavy and bouncing bass line. The way Kiarely Taylor’s voice adds a sort of balance above the madness in this song is refreshing, especially in the bridge and pre-chorus. Not to mention, the lyrics have a deeper message, too, translating the longing to be the savior for someone else, yet barely being able to save yourself. Alongside Izzy Johnson and Kristen Sturgis on guitar, as well as Sam Landa on drums, this powerhouse collaboration delivered exactly what the fanbases love to hear from both acts.
Lyrics:
“Wish that I could be your hero / I can hardly save myself, save myself / Trapped in bad dreams played on repeat / I need a cure for my head”
Rage and metalcore certainly are very forward on this track, but I wanted to hear more about their collaboration process, lyrical inspirations, and dive deeper into this track.
In an exclusive interview with Kristen Strugis of Conquer Divide, we heard more about the creation of “Bad Dreams” and how the group stays true to themselves.
MSM: With a new collaboration, how did Of Virtue bring the song to the next level?
Kristen Sturgis: They absolutely killed it! We love working with artists who bring their own energy to a track, and Of Virtue did just that. Their style blended perfectly with ours, and they brought an extra level of intensity that really made the song hit differently. Plus, it was just fun to work with them—good vibes all around. They’re also Michigan natives, so it made sense!
MSM: What inspires the lyrical content of your music, and are there any messages that you hope your fans take away from your songs?
Kristen: A lot of our lyrics come from personal struggles—mental health, relationships, dealing with loss, just life in general. We don’t hold back because we know there are people out there who need to hear that they’re not alone. If our music helps someone get through a tough time, that’s everything to us. We just want people to feel something—whether it’s empowerment, catharsis, or even just knowing someone else out there gets it.
MSM: How do you ensure you're staying true to your roots while also experimenting and pushing the boundaries of your sound?
Kristen: It’s a dance between growing as songwriters without losing what makes us us. We’re always going to have heavy instrumentals, emotional lyrics, and that push-and-pull between atmospheric melodic parts and aggression. But we also love experimenting—whether that’s adding electronic elements, playing with time signatures, or finding new ways to make a breakdown hit even harder. As long as it’s genuine and we are enjoying what we do, we’re on the right track.
MSM: Personally and creatively, how have you evolved since the release of Slow Burn?
Kristen: We’ve grown a lot as musicians, but also as people. We’re more confident in our writing, and we know what we want to say with our music. Slow Burn was a turning point that helped us learn to trust ourselves more—sometimes the best songs come from just going with your gut. We had a gut feeling about "Atonement," for example, even though there were some hesitations within our camp about releasing that one initially. It ended up being the highest streamed on the album.
MSM: Your fans are incredibly loyal and vocal about how much your music means to them. How does their support impact your creative process and live performances?
Kristen: Honestly, it means everything. We wouldn't be here without the fans. Seeing people connect with our lyrics, hearing their stories, watching them sing the words back at us at shows—it’s surreal, the energy from the crowd fuels us. We don’t take that connection for granted for a second.
MSM: As a band with members from different parts of the world, how have your diverse backgrounds and experiences shaped your music and the chemistry within the group?
Kristen: It definitely brings different influences to the table, which makes our music more dynamic. We all have different musical backgrounds and experiences, and that helps us blend styles in a way that feels natural.
Acquired from a press release from AtomSplitter, Of Virtue's Tyler Ennis adds, "I've been a fan of Conquer Divide ever since I heard 'Messy.' It's an absolute honor being asked to bring both our bands together on their newest single and we're excited for it to finally be released!"
A release of this aptitude and talent certainly leaves the future open-wide for both groups.
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