Counterparts (band)

Counterparts formed in Hamilton, Ontario[6] in 2007.[7] Counterparts consisted of vocalist Brendan "B" 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.[8][9] In March 2009 Counterparts toured Canada.[7] 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.[10] He also appeared in their music video.

The band's debut album Prophets was released 23 February 2010 on label Verona Records. In 2010, Juntilla left the band, and was replaced by Chris Needham.[11] A split EP, featuring Needham on drums was released 21 November 2010 with hardcore punk band Exalt.[7] The band toured North America in support of the album, which was inspired by Mussy.[7][12]

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.[13] During this time, Needham left the band to see a speech therapist.[14] 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 24 October 2011 on Victory.[15] A music video was released for the song "Jumping Ship".[16][17]

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."[18] 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."[19]

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.[20] Bazinet added that on their last tour with Juntilla, "he was especially uninterested."[21]

The band's third album The Difference Between Hell and Home was released on 24 July 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.[22] 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.[23] 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.[24] On 23 April, 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.[25] The fourth album was released in July 2015.[26] 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 22 September 2017 via New Damage / Pure Noise Records.[27] They have also shared singles from the album, called Haunt Me,[28] Bouquet,[29] and No Servant of Mine.[30]

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 lineup changes derail their creativity and spirits.[31][32] 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."[2]

• Prophets (2010)
• The Current Will Carry Us (2011)
• The Difference Between Hell and Home (2013) – No. 49 US Billboard Indie, No. 7 US Billboard Heatseekers[35]
• Tragedy Will Find Us (2015) – No. 117 US Billboard 200[35]
• You're Not You Anymore (2017)[36] No. 112 US Billboard 200[35]
• Nothing Left to Love (2019) No. 97 US Billboard 200[37]

• Counterparts - Untitled four-song EP (2008)
• Counterparts / Exalt Split (2010)
• Counterparts Live on Audiotree (2016)
• Private Room (2018)

• Selfishly I Sink (2018)
• Purer Form of Pain - Nothing Left to Love B-Sides (2020)

• "Jumping Ship" (2011)
• "The Disconnect" (2012)
• "Witness" (2013)
• "Burn" (2015)
• "Collapse" (2015)
• "Stranger" (2016)
• "Bouquet" (2017)
• "Swim Beneath My Skin" (2017)
• "You're Not You Anymore" (2018)
• "Paradise and Plague" (2019)