Time and time again, Canada has proven to be a thriving home for passionate and heartfelt bands to emerge in the underground scene. Being hailed by its peers and fan base as one of the most eye-opening and inspiring bands to grow within the last couple of years, Hamilton, Ontario's Counterparts has made a household name for itself by relentlessly carrying the torch for the melodic hardcore genre. Since day one, listeners have been drawn to Counterparts and have become extremely infatuated with their beautifully-explosive sound, along with their captivating live performance. Living up to its expectations, their latest release, The Difference Between Hell And Home, proves to be one of the most anticipated albums of the summer. Carrying over defining characteristics that were championed from their previous album, The Current Will Carry Us, Counterparts definitely go above and beyond with this new release.
Immediately taking things to the next level, "Lost" is an explosive opening track that reflects upon the relatable dilemma of re-discovering and also questioning self-worth. As vocalist Brendan Murphy screams out, "I've spent my life trying to my find my confidence/I've found absolutely nothing/Life is a lost cause; too weak to carry on", this heart wrenching line compliments perfectly with the frustration and anguish from within this intense and loathing anthem. Isolation and self-reflection are defining misanthropic ideals that come into context in this release. Relatable listeners will consider a track like "Outlier" in particular as stand alone single that hold true to these particular themes. "Outlier" will easily serenade the listener with its joyous, yet brutal musicianship, and with heartfelt lyrics like "This is the root of my isolation/And I am starting to loose all control/I am what I am and I am an outcast" to compliment the beauty and intensity of this song, "Outlier" is a track that listeners will cling onto to get through those lonely nights.
One stand-out quality that separates Counterparts from their peers is that they are a band that is notorious for blending together influences from the technical aspects of contemporary metalcore with the genuine sincerity of melodic hardcore. A re-occurring pattern within the context of TDBHAH, which will satisfy the desires of eager listeners who are avid fans of both of these genres, is the band's innovative musicianship of alternating back and forth between intense and heavy-hitting breakdowns to beautiful melodic harmonies in such a blissful fashion. While this release introduces listeners to many songs, such as "Ghost", "Debris" and "Slave", which stick true to Counterparts' heavy-hitting hardcore sound. Songs like "Decay", "Cursed" and "Soil" serve as beautifully-uplifting tracks that help tame your bitter demons. With a clear mind, an album like TDBHAH will not only make you want to scream out your lungs, but also embrace a soothing sense of bliss that will calm down your tired heart.
Overall, The Difference Between Hell And Home is a release that resembles, in character, breathtaking qualities that can convey a whirlwind overwhelming emotions at any given moment. Kept in perspective when listening to TDBHAH from beginning to end, listeners may be reminded of a blissful sense of sincerity that can be recollected from the influence of inspiring melodic precursors such as Life In Your Way and Misery Signals. There is no question that TDBHAH is a furious and heavy-hitting release as well, but there is no doubt that the genuine beauty that is crafted together within the spirit of this release is a stand alone trait that won't go unnoticed.
Tracklist:
1. Lost
2. Ghost
3. Debris
4: Outlier
5. Witness
6. Decay
7. Compass
8. Wither
9. Cursed
10. Slave
11. Soil
RIYL: Hundredth, Misery Signals, August Burns Red, Shai Hulud
Rating:
Written by Ryan McGrath
Upcoming Releases
Turnover
Good Nature
August 25th
Good Nature
August 25th
Counterparts
You're Not You Anymore
September 22nd
You're Not You Anymore
September 22nd
Stick To Your Guns
Trueview
October 13th
Trueview
October 13th
© 2016 MTS Collective. All rights reserved. Website by Mario Parra. Back to top.