Counterparts | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | Brigade (2007–2008) Sharia (2008) [1] |
Origin | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | |
Years active | 2007 | –present
Labels |
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Spinoffs | |
Members | Brendan Murphy Kyle Brownlee Tyler Williams Jesse Doreen |
Past members | Curtis Washik Chris Needham Ryan Juntilla Adrian Lee Eric Bazinet Brian Kaczmarczyk Kelly Bilan Blake Hardman Alex Re |
Website | counterparts905 |
Counterparts are a Canadian hardcore punk band formed in 2007 in Hamilton, Ontario, that currently consists of vocalist Brendan Murphy, guitarists and bassists Tyler Williams and Jesse Doreen, and drummer Kyle Brownlee. Their two most recent albums, released through Pure Noise Records, have received critical acclaim from Rock Sound and Exclaim! magazines. They are among the most visible bands within contemporary melodic hardcore, [3] while they are also considered one of the major powers of the metalcore revival wave. [4]
Formed in Hamilton, Ontario in 2007, the band were originally called Brigade, before briefly changing names to Sharia in 2008, then again in 2008 to Counterparts. [3] The band name is derived from Alexisonfire's song Counterparts and Number Them. [5] The original line-up consisted of vocalist Brendan Murphy, guitarist Jesse Doreen, guitarist Curtis Washik, bassist Eric Bazinet, and drummer Ryan Juntilla. In 2009, Washik departed from the band, and Alex Re joined the band temporarily as their guitarist before becoming their permanent guitarist. [6] [7] In March 2009 Counterparts toured Canada. [8] In 2010, Shane Told, from the band Silverstein, signed them to his Verona Records label.
Lead vocalist Brendan Murphy was featured on the song "The Artist" on Silverstein's fifth album, Rescue . [9] He also appeared in their music video.
The band's debut album Prophets was released February 23, 2010, on label Verona Records. In 2010, Juntilla left the band, and was replaced by Chris Needham. [10] A split EP, featuring Needham on drums was released November 21, 2010, with hardcore punk band Exalt. [8] The band toured North America in support of the album, which was inspired by Mussy. [8] [11]
In spring of 2011, the band was signed to Victory Records. The band continued to tour until the summer of 2011, when they announced that they were recording a new album. [12] During this time, Needham left the band to see a speech therapist. [13] A search for their next drummer was started, but ultimately, Juntilla rejoined the band, just in time to start recording for their second album, The Current Will Carry Us. The Current Will Carry Us was released October 24, 2011, on Victory. [14] A music video was released for the song "Jumping Ship". [15] [16]
Music critic Andrew Kelham, of Rock Sound magazine, gave a rating of 8 to the album. He called it "brilliant" and stated that The Current Will Carry Us "is a great first impression for the many who are yet to become acquainted with the Canadian melodic-yet-frenetic hardcore quintet." [17] Kiel Hume of Exclaim! magazine writes that Counterparts have the energy, talent, and attitude to wake up the genre. He states: "The Current Will Carry Us basically does that to a genre many people thought was on its last breath." [18]
Kyle Brownlee, formerly of Canadian deathcore band Majesty, filled in for Juntilla for the entirety of the band's Canadian headliner tour, later on in summer of 2012, it was announced that Juntilla departed from Counterparts because he no longer wanted to be a part of the band. Days after the announcement, bassist Eric Bazinet commented on his Tumblr page that Juntilla had left the band in February and most of the members have not spoken to him since then. He had left to pursue interests in a band he was in during Counterparts. [19] Bazinet added that on their last tour with Juntilla, "he was especially uninterested." [20]
The band's third album The Difference Between Hell and Home was released on July 24, 2013, to positive critical reception. A music video for the track "Witness" was posted ten days prior to the release of the album.
In late 2013, guitarist Alex Re posted on his personal Facebook page that he had left Counterparts and would be playing his last show with the band at their hometown show in December. [21] He was later replaced by Adrian Lee. In 2014, bassist Eric Bazinet announced that after seven years, he was leaving the band to pursue a career, and to spend time with family. [22] After Bazinet's departure, Blake Hardman from Hundredth filled in on bass for the band on the Fuck the Message Tour that was headlined by Stick to Your Guns. Shortly afterwards, the guitarist of Kills and Thrills, Brian Kaczmarczyk, joined on bass, becoming the only non-Canadian member of the band.
In the spring of 2015, vocalist Brendan Murphy announced in an interview that their fourth album, Tragedy Will Find Us, is expected to be released in the summer of 2015. [23] On April 23, the band announced that they have signed to Pure Noise Records, and New Damage Records. Pure Noise will release their upcoming album in the U.S., while New Damage will release it in Canada. [24] The fourth album was released in July 2015. [25] Tyler Williams, a bandmate of Hardman's in Nashville hardcore act on Point, also joined the band during this period. It was announced in March 2017 the band would play the 22nd annual Vans Warped Tour.
Counterparts entered the studio in March–April 2017, with Will Putney of Graphic Nature Audio at the production helm once again.
Vocalist Brendan Murphy announced that he started a new band with members of Fit For An Autopsy, Misery Signals and Reign Supreme called END. They released an EP called From the Unforgiving Arms of God.
The band's fifth album, You're Not You Anymore, was released on September 22, 2017, via New Damage / Pure Noise Records. [26] They have also shared singles from the album, called Haunt Me, [27] Bouquet, [28] and No Servant of Mine. [29]
You're Not You Anymore was the first recorded effort without the participation of Doreen due to his departure from Counterparts. The band did not let line-up changes derail their creativity and spirits. [30] [31] Playing an important role in the modern melodic hardcore scene, their new album is considered to have a different set of influences and a more refined sound. Odyssey states: "The rawness of Poison The Well's and Misery Signal's technical but absolutely emotionally devastating take on metalcore are influences they wear on their sleeve, tied together with the tortured poetry of Brendan Murphy's lyrics." [4]
The band released their sixth studio album, Nothing Left to Love, on November 1, 2019, via New Damage / Pure Noise Records. [32] The record marks the return of guitarist and backing vocalist Alex Re. Nothing Left to Love was the band's first record to break into the top 100 of the Billboard 200 charts, peaking at 97. [33]
In 2021, frontman Brendan Murphy contributed guest vocals to the Hawthorne Heights single "Constant Dread". [34]
On May 31, 2022, Counterparts announced on all social media platforms their seventh studio album A Eulogy for Those Still Here would be released on October 7, 2022, through Pure Noise Records. The first single "Unwavering Vow" was released on June 1, 2022. [35] The second single "Whispers of Your Death" was released on July 26, 2022. The third single "Bound to the Burn" was released on September 7, 2022.
On July 30, 2024, Counterparts released their first ever live album, recorded in Toronto at the Danforth Music Hall with mixing and mastering by Kyle Brownlee. [36] The recording took place during the "A Eulogy for Those Still Here Tour" on December 18, 2022 with support from SeeYouSpaceCowboy, Dying Wish, and Foreign Hands. Pure Noise Records released an accompanying video on YouTube of the band performing "Whispers of Your Death, Bound to the Burn, and A Mass Grave of Saints". [37]
On November 7, 2024, the band surprise released a new EP titled Heaven Let Them Die. [38]
Critics have categorised Counterparts' music as metalcore, [4] [39] melodic hardcore, [3] emotional hardcore, [3] melodic metalcore [40] [41] and hardcore punk. [42] The band's members have cited influences including Misery Signals, Shai Hulud, [43] Poison the Well, Alexisonfire, [44] Saints Never Surrender and Taken. [45]
| Former
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Timeline
Counterparts discography | |
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Studio albums | 7 |
EPs | 4 |
Live albums | 1 |
Singles | 2 |
Music videos | 12 |
Metalcore is a broadly defined fusion genre combining elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk, that originated in the late 1980s. Metalcore is noted for its use of breakdowns, which are slow, intense passages conducive to moshing, while other defining instrumentation includes heavy guitar riffs often utilizing percussive pedal tones and double bass drumming. Vocalists in the genre typically perform screaming; more popular bands often combine this with the use of standard singing, usually during the bridge or chorus of a song. However, the death growl is also a popular technique within the genre.
Shai Hulud is an American metalcore band formed in Pompano Beach, Florida, in 1995, and later based in Poughkeepsie, New York. The band is named after the giant sandworms in Frank Herbert's novel Dune.
The Black Dahlia Murder is an American melodic death metal band from Waterford, Michigan, formed in 2001. Their name is derived from the 1947 unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short, often referred to as Black Dahlia. Currently, the band consists of lead vocalist Brian Eschbach, bassist Max Lavelle, drummer Alan Cassidy, and guitarists Brandon Ellis and Ryan Knight. The Black Dahlia Murder has undergone various lineup changes, with Trevor Strnad and Eschbach remaining the only constant members, until the former's death in 2022, which then saw Eschbach take over lead vocals and Knight replacing him on rhythm guitar.
Atreyu is an American rock band from Yorba Linda, California, formed in 1998. It consists of lead vocalist Brandon Saller, guitarists Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel, bassist and unclean vocalist Marc "Porter" McKnight, and drummer Kyle Rosa.
Melodic hardcore is a broadly defined subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on melody in its guitar work. It generally incorporates fast rhythms, melodic and often distorted guitar riffs, and vocal styles tending towards shouting and screaming. Nevertheless, the genre has been very diverse, with different bands showcasing very different styles. Many pioneering melodic hardcore bands, have proven influential across the spectrum of punk rock, as well as rock music more generally.
Vanna was an American hardcore punk band from Boston that was formed in 2004. On December 15, 2017, the band played their final show at the Worcester Palladium.
Melodic metalcore is a fusion genre, incorporating elements of melodic death metal and metalcore; it has a heavy emphasis on melodic instrumentation, distorted guitar tones, palm muting, double bass drumming, blast beats, metalcore-stylized breakdowns, and vocals that range from aggressive screaming and death growls to clean singing. The genre has seen commercial success for employing a more accessible sound at times compared to other forms of extreme music. Many notable melodic metalcore bands have been influenced by At the Gates and In Flames.
Stick to Your Guns is an American hardcore punk band from Orange County, California. Members of the band include lead vocalist Jesse Barnett, bassist Andrew Rose, guitarists Chris Rawson and Josh James, and drummer Adam Galindo. They are currently signed with SharpTone Records.
The Ghost Inside, formerly known as A Dying Dream, is an American metalcore band from El Segundo, California. Formed in 2004, the band currently consists of vocalist Jonathan Vigil, guitarists Zach Johnson and Chris Davis, bassist Jim Riley and drummer Andrew Tkaczyk.
Veil of Maya is an American metalcore band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 2004. The group consists of guitarist Marc Okubo, drummer Sam Applebaum, bassist Danny Hauser and vocalist Lukas Magyar. They are currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released seven studio albums. Their seventh studio album, Mother, was released on May 12, 2023.
Hundredth is an American rock band from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina formed in 2008 led by singer and songwriter Chadwick Johnson. They have released five albums and five EPs. The band started out playing melodic hardcore that morphed into indie rock by the release of the 2017 album Rare.
Stray from the Path is an American hardcore punk band formed in 2001 in Long Island, New York. They have released ten full-length albums. Their first three records were independently released – People Over Profit in 2002, Audio Prozac in 2003, and Our Oceania in 2004. Stray From The Path then signed with Sumerian Records and released six records with them; Villains in 2008, Make Your Own History in 2009, Rising Sun in 2011, Anonymous in 2013, Subliminal Criminals in 2015, and Only Death Is Real in 2017. They are currently signed to UNFD and released Internal Atomics in 2019, and Euthanasia in 2022. They have been seen on tour with bands such as: Architects, Northlane, Every Time I Die, The Acacia Strain, Terror, Norma Jean, Underoath, The Ghost Inside, For Today, Stick to Your Guns, Bleeding Through, Comeback Kid, and Counterparts.
Being as an Ocean is an American post-hardcore band from Alpine, California, formed in 2011. They have released five studio albums: Dear G-d..., How We Both Wondrously Perish, a self-titled album, Waiting for Morning to Come, released on 8 September 2017, and PROXY: An A.N.I.M.O. Story, released in 2019. How We Both Wondrously Perish was released in May 2014 and charted at number 57 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S.
The Difference Between Hell and Home is the third studio album by Canadian melodic hardcore band Counterparts. It was released on July 23, 2013, through Victory Records. The album received positive critical reception, generating an aggregated score of 79/100 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
Gideon is an American metalcore band formed in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2008. The group are currently signed to Equal Vision Records, having formerly been with Facedown Records and Strike First Records. They have released a total of six studio albums and two EPs.
The White Noise was an American punk rock band from Dallas, Texas, later based in Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2010 under the name Set the Sun by guitarist and vocalist David Southern and drummer Alex Summers, the band released two EPs and a series of singles while still based in Dallas. By 2013, Southern was left the sole founding member and recruited vocalist Shawn Walker and guitarist Josh "KJ" Strock. This lineup would relocate to Los Angeles and change their name to the White Noise. In total, the band released three EPs, in addition to one studio album, 2017's AM/PM.
Knocked Loose is an American hardcore punk band from Oldham County, Kentucky, formed in 2013 and currently signed to Pure Noise Records. The band released their debut studio album, Laugh Tracks, in September 2016 through Pure Noise Records, which was followed by A Different Shade of Blue in 2019. Their 2021 EP ATear in the Fabric of Life incorporated elements of death metal and was released to widespread critical acclaim. They released their third album, You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To, in 2024.
End is an American metalcore supergroup composed of singer Brendan Murphy (Counterparts), guitarists Will Putney and Gregory Thomas, bassist Jay Pepito, and drummer Matt Guglielmo.
Koyo is an American melodic hardcore band formed in 2020 in Stony Brook, New York. The band was formed as a supergroup of hardcore bands including SeeYouSpaceCowboy, with vocalist Joey Chiaramonte hailing from the band Typecaste. They released their debut EP Painting Words Into Lines in March 2020. In 2022, Koyo signed a record deal with Pure Noise Records.
Sounds of Loss is the second studio album by the American metalcore band Orthodox, released on May 26, 2017, through Unbeaten Records. It is the only record to be recorded by the band as a duo, as Tyler Williams would leave the band to join Canadian melodic hardcore band Counterparts.
Before the likes of Defeater, Touché Amoré, the Ghost Inside, Counterparts, Being As An Ocean and many more became the new faces of melodic, emotional hardcore, there were upperclassmen who were setting the stage.
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(help)Counterparts have been catching the eyes and ears of a lot more people since their inception, thanks mostly to their unique idiosyncratic metalcore sound. ... With Brendan's vulnerable lyrics and Jesse's incomprehensibly intricate rhythmic patterns, Counterparts have found their spot in the metalcore genre as their own.
So far, we've heard a bunch of great singles that hone in on the band's specific breed of heavy, emotionally devastating melodic metalcore...
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