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)
Slave
Counterparts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The thoughts disintegrate into cognitive pollution
Abandoning my body, renouncing my existence
Show me the meaning of happiness
Trapped inside this nightmare, but I haven't slept for days
I am a slave, a slave to what I cannot see
Are we being strung along or are we just strung out?
The quest to be clairvoyant: You are your own black hole
Your words like rope, tied around my throat Remove the earth beneath me
Watch my spirit sink
These lyrics are an intense reflection on the experience of feeling trapped, lost, and stripped of agency. The singer begins with a poignant line, "If I allow the light to leave my eyes, I will never see again." This sets the tone for the rest of the verse, as the singer reflects on the decay of their own thoughts and the feeling that they are losing their grip on reality. The line "Abandoning my body, renouncing my existence" is especially harrowing, as it suggests that the singer has given up on themselves entirely.
In the chorus, the singer declares themselves a slave to something unknown, though the implication is that it is an internal struggle. The question "Are we being strung along or are we just strung out?" adds to the confusion and sense of futility the singer is feeling. The second verse is even more bleak, with the singer expressing a desire for death ("How much longer do I really have when I wish every breath would be my last?") and the feeling of suffocation ("Your words like rope, tied around my throat"). The final line, "Watch my spirit sink," is a striking image that captures the overall feeling of hopelessness and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
If I allow the light to leave my eyes, I will never see again
I fear losing my insight and perspective on life, without which I will be lost and directionless.
The thoughts disintegrate into cognitive pollution
My mind is cluttered with negative and destructive thoughts that hinder my growth and progress.
Abandoning my body, renouncing my existence
I feel like giving up and disconnecting from my physical self, as my life seems burdensome and meaningless.
Show me the meaning of happiness
I am searching for true happiness and fulfillment in life, as I am dissatisfied with my current state of being.
Trapped inside this nightmare, but I haven't slept for days
My life feels like a nightmare that I can't escape from, and my insomnia only amplifies my feelings of helplessness and despair.
I am a slave, a slave to what I cannot see
I feel like I am being controlled by forces that are beyond my understanding and control, making me feel like a powerless slave to my circumstances.
Are we being strung along or are we just strung out?
I am questioning whether the events in my life are a result of a deliberate plan or just a chaotic sequence of events, leaving me feeling confused.
The quest to be clairvoyant: You are your own black hole
I aspire for clarity and insight, but my insecurities and negative thoughts keep pulling me down, leaving me feeling lost and empty.
How much longer do I really have when I wish every breath would be my last?
I am struggling with suicidal thoughts and feel like I have no hope for a better future.
Your words like rope, tied around my throat Remove the earth beneath me
The hurtful words of others are suffocating and draining me of my energy and motivation, leaving me feeling helpless and lost.
Watch my spirit sink
I feel like my spirit and soul are drowning in my despair and hopelessness, leaving me feeling numb and exhausted.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Alexander John Re, Brendan Murphy, Eric James John Bazinet, Jesse Diamond Doreen, Kelly Alexander Bilan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mario Garofano
If I allow the light to leave my eyes
I will never see again
The thoughts disintegrate into cognitive pollution
Abandoning my body, renouncing my existence
Show me the meaning of happiness
Trapped inside this nightmare
But I haven't slept for days
I am a slave
A slave to what I cannot see
Are we being strung along or are we just strung out?
The quest to be clairvoyant:
You are your own black hole
How much longer do I really have
When I wish every breath would be my last?
Your words like rope
Tied around my throat
Remove the earth beneath me
Watch my spirit sink
Mario Garofano
If I allow the light to leave my eyes
I will never see again
The thoughts disintegrate into cognitive pollution
Abandoning my body, renouncing my existence
Show me the meaning of happiness
Trapped inside this nightmare
But I haven't slept for days
I am a slave
A slave to what I cannot see
Are we being strung along or are we just strung out?
The quest to be clairvoyant:
You are your own black hole
How much longer do I really have
When I wish every breath would be my last?
Your words like rope
Tied around my throat
Remove the earth beneath me
Watch my spirit sink
James McShane
Fucking love this man, 1:27 ... Brendans vocals, so raw
double speak
how has no one mentioned that fucking mid at 0:47, that shit is so hard
Evan Bergeron
Can anybody recommend me any bands that make music that sounds like this song? I know this is one of Counterparts' more fast-paced and heavy songs and I really dig it but I'm having a hard time finding more music like this specific song.
Alan Araujo
crystal lake's new album slays, 'The sign'. Look for it
Holland
looking for the same thing, still haven't turned up anything
Epitaph
+Evan Bergeron Some of Converges stuff. Shai Hulud.
Alan Araujo
Giraffe exactly!! /\
Epitaph
also If You Got It at Five, You Got It at Fifty by Norma Jean kinda reminds me of this song.
Travis Hector
So good man