Review: Counterparts @ House of Blues 2/21
Review by Jaya Kohol
Photo credits: Wyatt Clough
Boston’s House of Blues was surprisingly nearly full as I walked in on Friday evening. I pushed my way through the crowd and found a spot to watch the swarm of people in front of the stage. The band were touring a small handful of shows following the release of their new EP titled “Heaven Let Them Die.” Having seen Counterparts back in December of 2022, I was excited to see what the band had to offer over two years later.
Counterparts is a melodic hardcore or metalcore band— depending on who you ask. Originally from Ontario, Canada, the band got their start in 2007, forming around frontman and vocalist Brendan Murphy, who remains the core member of the band today. Like many other metalcore bands of the late 2000s and early 2010s, the band lineup underwent several changes, but settled on Kyle Brownlee on drums, Tyler William on bass and rhythm guitar, and Jesse Doreen on lead guitar. The band began originally as Brigade, switched to Sharia, and finally, in 2008, settled on the name Counterparts, which was aptly stolen from an Alexisonfire song titled “Counterparts and Number Them.”
Counterparts’ initial album releases, including “Prophets,” “The Current Will Carry Us,” and “The Difference Between Hell and Home” saw some success within metalcore and hardcore communities. In 2013, the band signed to famed record label Pure Noise Records and later that year released their album “Tragedy Will Find Us” which saw even more success than their previous three albums. More recognition for the band came as they played the 2017 Warped Tour. Seven albums on, the band has remained steadfastly true to their metalcore and hardcore roots. The release of their latest EP has demonstrated the band’s capabilities to stay in touch with the essential metalcore riffs that earned them their success, while also incorporating increasingly harsher noise and modern twists on the genre. With time, Brendan’s vocals have strengthened immensely, and the new EP highlights a far more atmospheric sound than any of their other work thus far, cultivating a sound entirely their own.
At 9:25 p.m. the lights in the concert hall dimmed, and the stage became illuminated by dozens of candles aflame on top of the stacks of amps. A droning noise, almost alarm-like, emanated throughout the room, a warning sign to concert goers of the music to come. At 9:30 p.m. the band took to the stage and began with their opening song “A Martyr Left Alive.” As the stage became fully illuminated, I could make out the decorations on stage. Behind the elevated drum kit, were several church-esque faux stained glass windows which were lit from behind with bright red lights. On either side of the stage was a wooden church pew and candelabra, also alight. The whole stage aimed to make it look as though the band were performing within a chapel, and the red light from behind the windows made it seem as if the entire world outside was on fire.
The band continued to play a mix of their work, pulling from their oldest album, as well as their newest EP release. In between songs, Brendan took a moment to thank the crowd for their attendance and remarked “you better get your moneys worth, there’s no fucking refunds.” In front of me I could see the mass of bodies in front of the stage divide down the middle to create a massive gaping circle in the center of the crowd, in which kids were throwing their bodies and limbs around with total reckless abandon. Brendan commanded the crowd to two-step, and then move from side to side and circle-pit.
The crowd erupted into cheers as the opening riff to “Wings of Nightmares” echoed out through the room. Each song was performed with a vigor and devotion I hadn’t expected from the band. Brendan told the crowd that playing a venue as large as House of Blues was a first for the band, and he admitted he was nervous that he would struggle to engage with the crowd, but Boston proved him wrong, as the crowd passionately sang along to the lyrics of “Monument.” Before I knew it the band were leaving the stage, only to return two minutes later to play an encore to a very demanding crowd. With the stage flooded with blue and red lights, Brendan dedicated the final song “Whispers of Your Death” to his deceased cat Kuma, a touching way to end an incredible performance.