Counterparts formed in Hamilton, Ontario in 2007.[7] Counterparts 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. In March 2009 Counterparts toured Canada. 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. 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. A split EP, featuring Needham on drums was released 21 November 2010 with hardcore punk band Exalt. The band toured North America in support of the album, which was inspired by Mussy.
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. During this time, Needham left the band to see a speech therapist. 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 album was released 24 October 2011 on Victory. A music video was released for the song "Jumping Ship".
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. Bazinet added that on their last tour with Juntilla, "he was especially uninterested."
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. 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. 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. On 23 April, the band announced that they have signed to Pure Noise Records, and New Damage Records. Pure Noise will released the album in the U.S., while New Damage released it in Canada. The fourth album was released in July 2015. 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.
The band's fifth album, You're Not You Anymore, was released on 22 September 2017 via New Damage and Pure Noise Records. They have also shared singles from the album, called Haunt Me, Bouquet, and No Servant of Mine. "You're Not You Anymore" was the first recorded effort without the participation of Doreen due to his departure from Counterparts.
The band released their sixth studio album, Nothing Left to Love, on 1 November 2019 via New Damage and Pure Noise Records. 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.
On May 31, 2022 Counterparts announced on all social media platforms their seventh studio album A Eulogy for Those Still Here due for release on October 7, 2022 through Pure Noise Records. The first single "Unwavering Vow" was released on June 1, 2022. The second single "Whispers Of Your Death" was released on July 26, 2022, and was written about Brendan Murphy's cat Kuma. The third single "Bound to The Burn" was released on September 7, 2022.
Current Members
Brendan Murphy – lead vocals (2007–present)
Alex Re – guitar, backing vocals, clean vocals (2009–2013; 2019–present)
Kyle Brownlee – drums, percussion (2012, 2016, 2017–present)
Tyler Williams – bass guitar, backing vocals (2017–present)
Jesse Doreen – guitar (2007–2016, 2021–present)
Former Members:
Curtis Washik – rhythm guitar (2007–2009)
Chris Needham – drums, percussion (2010–2011)
Ryan Juntilla – drums, percussion (2007–2010; 2011–2012)
Adrian Lee – rhythm guitar (2013–2019), bass (2017)
Eric Bazinet – bass (2007–2014)
Brian Kaczmarczyk – bass guitar (2014–2017)
Ben Leathem – drums, percussion (2016–2017)
Kelly Bilan – drums, percussion (2012–2016)
Blake Hardman – guitar, backing vocals (2016–2021), bass (2014, 2017)
Resonate
Counterparts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I can't tell if it's the cold or if I'm finally feeling regret
A martyr in my own mind and a pariah
Given the capacity of my own guilt
Do I fight the fact that I am a nervous wreck
Or do I face the forthcoming collision head on?
I don't know how to abandon my blind heart...
My organs are dark and minuscule in comparison to yours
I'm no longer pining to cure my disease
I'm just dying to advance the process
Trim your wings and deceive me
Cinch your halo around my neck
Because death houses such beauty
If we can enjoy what will grow in its absence
(We are wasted)
We are thin and wasted at both ends
And we've accepted our position
I was never worthy of following your footsteps
So be sure to leave no evidence that you've existed
We dare not turn and face the figures treating us to our descent
If we knew their origin then we'd surely be disgusted
This is the kind of illness
That leaves us rotting from the inside out...
And we wear this on our sleeves
Content with our casualty
I would do this all over again
I'm the catalyst of our collapse
Haunted by conviction and a partner to the pain
Forgive me for who I've become these past few years
Forgive me for allowing my love to disappear
(Trim your wings)
Trim your wings and deceive me
Cinch your halo around my neck
And just leave me alone with my thoughts
Eaten alive until there's nothing left to mourn
I will resonate through the minds of others
As a corpse and nothing more (nothing more)
Nothing more
The song Resonate by Counterparts is an introspective and emotional representation of someone who is struggling to cope with their own guilt and self-doubt. The lyrics are intense and poetic, as they describe the feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and hopelessness that consume the singer. The opening lines, "I’m shaking and so are my hands, And I can’t tell if it’s the cold or if I’m finally feeling regret," paint a vivid picture of the singer's physical and emotional state. They are in turmoil and unable to find peace.
The singer is a "martyr in [their] own mind and a pariah," which suggests that they believe they are suffering for a cause that is not understood or appreciated by others. This sense of alienation is reinforced in the lines, "If we knew their origin then we’d surely be disgusted...And we wear this on our sleeves," which suggests that the singer is wearing their guilt and self-doubt prominently on their outward appearance. However, despite this burden, the singer is also convinced that they deserve to suffer, as seen in the line, "And I’m convinced that you deserve this."
The song's chorus, "Trim your wings and deceive me, Cinch your halo around my neck, Because death houses such beauty, If we can enjoy what will grow in its absence," is a paradoxical statement about the beauty that can be found in death. While it may seem a morbid sentiment, it is a reflection of the singer's desire to find meaning and purpose in their own suffering. They are willing to embrace the pain and the struggle in order to create something meaningful out of it.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m shaking and so are my hands
My body is reacting to an overpowering emotion.
And I can’t tell if it’s the cold or if I’m finally feeling regret
Uncertainty about my feelings is causing confusion
A martyr in my own mind and a pariah
Self-destructive thoughts and actions have isolated me from others
Given the capacity of my own guilt
I'm drowning in self-pity and self-blame
Do I fight the fact that I am a nervous wreck
I'm not sure if I should try to suppress my anxiety or face it head-on
Or do I face the forthcoming collision head on?
Should I confront the inevitable consequences of my actions?
I don’t know how to abandon my blind heart...
I'm struggling to let go of my emotions and think rationally
(And I’m convinced that you deserve this)
I believe that the other person brought this upon themselves
My organs are dark and minuscule in comparison to yours
I'm inferior to others and feel inadequate
I’m no longer pining to cure my disease
I've given up trying to improve my situation
I’m just dying to advance the process
I wish to hasten the inevitable outcome
Trim your wings and deceive me
I'm asking the other person to hide their true nature from me
Cinch your halo around my neck
I'm willing to endure pain and suffering for the other person
Because death houses such beauty
I find something alluring and fascinating about death
If we can enjoy what will grow in its absence
If we can find pleasure in the aftermath of death
(We are wasted)
We are ruined and damaged beyond repair
We are thin and wasted at both ends
Our physical and emotional states are deteriorating
And we’ve accepted our position
We've resigned ourselves to our current circumstances
I was never worthy of following your footsteps
I don't feel deserving of the other person's attention or respect
So be sure to leave no evidence that you’ve existed
I want the other person to erase their presence from my life
We dare not turn and face the figures treating us to our descent
We're afraid to confront the forces that are dragging us down
If we knew their origin then we’d surely be disgusted
We wouldn't be able to handle the truth about what's causing our problems
This is the kind of illness
Our problems are so deep-rooted that they're like a disease
That leaves us rotting from the inside out...
Our issues are destroying us internally
And we wear this on our sleeves
Our struggles are visible to others and we can't hide them
Content with our casualty
We're apathetic or resigned to our losses
I would do this all over again
Despite the pain, I would make the same choices
I’m the catalyst of our collapse
I'm responsible for our downfall
Haunted by conviction and a partner to the pain
I'm tormented by my own beliefs and complicit in my own suffering
Forgive me for who I’ve become these past few years
I'm asking for forgiveness for my actions and behaviors
Forgive me for allowing my love to disappear
I'm apologizing for letting my feelings fade away
And just leave me alone with my thoughts
I want to be alone with my inner turmoil
Eaten alive until there’s nothing left to mourn
My emotions have consumed me and there's nothing left to feel sad about
I will resonate through the minds of others
My legacy will endure through the memories of others
As a corpse and nothing more (nothing more)
I'll be remembered only as a lifeless shell
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brendan Murphy, Jesse Diamond Doreen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
thelast Sith
Trim your wings and deceive me, cinch your halo around my neck and leave me alone with my thoughts.. Hits home man.
ya boi alex
Noah Salcedo slowly but surely became hardest hitting song on this album
luna
"Forgive me for who I've become these past few years. Forgive me for allowing my love to disappear." god dammit
Chemical Imbalance
You don’t understand how much this resonates with me.
Andreas King
I think the most moving song on the album. Every single lyric hits home.
heyitsdrake
This whole record is beautiful. Long live Counterparts.
xCryingxMisfortunex
That drop is possibly the best drop I've ever heard.
ladam97
best track off this record <3
anti-existence
lyrics are powerful
B A
The guitar in the chorus is so memorable