Counterparts

Counterparts - A Eulogy For Those Still Here

Theres an anxiety in life that comes from knowing there isnt anything to do but try to prepare for the inevitability of change. And sometimes the only thing that can make a drastic shift or an ending more difficult is to see it coming. On their seventh full-length, A Eulogy For Those Still Here, Counterparts set out to capture that surreal space in-between, and in the process pushed their sound to its greatest extremes to make their most definitive statement as a band.

I think I deal with things by preparing myself for the end, explains vocalist Brendan Murphy. When I notice something is wrong or somethings up, I cant just wait for it to happen. I start catastrophizing and then sometimes I end up willing these things into existence. With so much of this record Im mourning the loss of someone thats still alive or saying goodbye to something that hasnt left yet. Murphys preoccupation with endings reaches wide, from relationships dissolving, to friendships fading, to loved ones passing awayand even to his band.

Since forming in 2007, Counterpartsmade up of Murphy, guitarists Alex Re and Jesse Doreen, bassist Tyler Williams, and drummer Kyle Brownleehave gone from the Hamilton, Ontario, underground to touring the world as hardcore heavyweights. But with 15 years already under their belts, Murphy couldnt help but consider a day where his well might run dry. I started to think about what it would be like to write a record as if it would be our last, to try and make something that I knew I would be satisfied with if it was, the always candid singer explains. I love this band, its the most important thing Ive ever done and Im very fortunate to have it, but we put a lot into it and its not the most sustainable way to live. Murphys forthrightness is part of Counterparts appeal, and it's earned them a loyal fanbase who have come to appreciate the unflinching honesty thats at the heart of everything the band does. Were just totally transparent, Murphy says. Almost to a fault. I dont hide how Im feeling lyrically, Ill say whatever publically, theres just no secrets. So although theres some ambiguity with this record, I also think people will understand where were coming from.

With these self-imposed high stakes, the band convened at Graphic Nature Audio with their longtime producerengineer, Will Putney (Knocked Loose, Every Time I Die, Vein.fm) to make what would become A Eulogy For Those Still Here. In addition to Putneys reliable hand at the helm (I cant think of anyone better than Will, Murphy laughs. Hes got a Grammy, he knows what hes doing!), the album also sees the return of Doreen and Re. The two guitarists roles in Counterparts date back to the bands earliest days and their return to the fold was a full circle moment. Its been great to have Jesse and Alex fully back, Murphy says. They were still contributing to a lot of writing even when theyd left, so it really feels like were getting to pick up where we left off. It was the most collaborative writing process weve ever had for sure.

The resulting album feels like Counterparts have honed every element of their sound into its sharpest point, resulting in 11 of their most viscerally compelling songs to date. A Eulogy For Those Still Here kicks off with Whispers of Your Death, a towering blast of frentic, metal-tinged hardcore that spins on a dime between soaring leads and vicious riffs, all while Murphys eye-bulging roar lays out a meditation on preemptive grief. My cat, Kuma, has been sick, he explains. Even when the vet tells me hes doing ok, I think hes going to die. If he sneezes I go to the worst case scenario, and thats definitely the mindset I was in when I was writing these songs.

The theme reappears on tracks like Flesh To Fill Your Wounds or Bound To Burn; the former a rumination on fading love, while the latter explores the unexpected frustrations and pressures of pursuing a creative passion. Murphys forthrightness continues on pummeling mid-album standout Sworn To Silence. The song is about my struggles with lyric writing, he says. While we were in the studio, I found it extremely difficult to come up with new ways to convey how I feel. And Ive grown increasingly frustrated with constantly tapping into some of the darkest points of my life. There were so many nights I spent face down on the floor trying to express my feelings through lyrics and wondering why am I doing this? After this album was finished, I was obviously happy with my contributions, but sometimes I wonder how much longer I can keep this up. Yet Murphys lyrics still cut to the core, like on the albums ominous title track, where he directly addresses his fears of impending loss. A lot of these songs read as though Im delivering the eulogy at a funeral even though the subject Id written about was very much still aliveand also in attendance.

A Eulogy For Those Still Here comes to a close with A Mass Grave of Saints, and as the songs earth-shaking aggression crashes into heartrending melody and atmosphere, Counterparts sound as if theyre pouring every last ounce of themselves into the music. Its one of the most climactic songs the band have ever written, and offers a suitably jaw-dropping conclusion to a record that revolves around endings. But as the final wash of guitars slowly fades away, the song still feels like more of a question mark than a period. All of these things I have are still a big part of my life but one day they wont be, and I dont want to be focusing on that instead of enjoying the time I have with them, says Murphy. Maybe Im saying goodbye preemptively but I think its important to say goodbye while you can.

Counterparts bei popula: Die Daten zu "Counterparts" sind auf dem Stand des 17. Oktober 22. An diesem Tag wurde der Termin angelegt. Hier kannst du dich z.B. über die Anfahrt zu dem Veranstaltungsort "Luckys Luke" informieren oder dich über weitere Termine erkundigen. Am Montag, den 17.10.2022 fiel der Startschuss für die Veranstaltung in der Stadt im Kreis Trier. Counterparts ist momentan nur eine von 115 weiteren Terminen, die z.B. aus dem Bereich Ausstellungen, Konzerte und Theater sind. Leider gibt es derzeit in keiner weiteren Stadt eine Veranstaltung mit dem Titel Counterparts, also bleibt ein Besuch in Trier unerlässlich, um den Termin wahrzunehmen. Diese Woche ist Counterparts auf keinem Rang der Top100 der beliebtesten Events in der Stadt Trier. popula.de bietet dir einen Konfigurator, mit dem du diese Veranstaltung ganz leicht als Widget auf deiner Webseite anzeigen kannst. So zeigst du jedem, was dir gefällt. Hier fehlen wichtige Informationen oder der richtige Veranstaltungsflyer? Hol dir die Bearbeitungsrechte und vervollständige den Eintrag. Alles was du tun musst, ist uns eine kurze Anfrage zur Veranstaltung zu schicken.