 | Tracklist:
1. Reflex Tester
2. Isolation
3. The Sanctuary
4. Goodbye, Megaton
5. Prophets
6. A Plea: A Promise
7. Carpe Diem
8. Only Anchors
9. Dark Ages
10. Sturdy Wings
11. Digression
| Ranking: #92 for 2010 | |
|
On 147 Lists
|
| Summary: Counterparts deliver a legendary debut album. |
11 of 11 thought this review was well written
It's hard these days to find any kind of hardcore or metalcore worth listening to. Especially when the scene is overwhelmed with underwhelming bands delivering carbon-copy burnt out records that not only fail to reinvent the wheel - but also fail to even push the existing wheel forward.
Enter Counterparts, a young 5-piece hardcore outfit from Ontario and you'll immediately recognize something special. With the debut album "Prophets" these Canadians make their intentions bold and clear - they're here to be the future, and the future is now. On the opening track "The Reflex Tester" the band wastes no time getting straight to the point, as the track blisters through its short minute and a half length at break-neck speed, and paints a clear picture of what the rest of the album has in store.
All of the ingredients you would expect in a hardcore recipe are here - emotionally charged vocals and powerful lyrics, backed by chugging guitars and fast drumming, and of course enough breakdowns to keep you wanting to punch the closest elderly person in the face. However, the difference is immediately noticeable, the breakdowns are interesting and actually well used and well timed, the vocals seem more prominent and convincing, the cleans are used sparingly and flow seamlessly with the music, and the guitars are absolutely the most interesting facet this band has to offer, bringing a fresh technical-yet-melodic sound rarely heard in hardcore these days.
Throughout the album's 31 minutes you'll find yourself on a rollercoaster of a musical journey, one that is completely unexpected but entirely long overdue. Counterparts won't stop pounding away at your cerebellum and you'll wish it would continue even when it stops. This is a band that should become legendary, and with this album it's clear that will happen much sooner rather than later. The sky's the limit for these 5 guys from the north, and as Brendan says himself "Only Anchors" can keep them from moving forward.
Recommended Tracks:
Isolation
Goodbye, Megaton
Prophets
Only Anchors
|
| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4
Good review man, this cd is gooooooood.
Digging: Expire - Pendulum Swings | | | Album Rating: 5
Been hooked on this for a couple of weeks now, figured a review was deserved and wanted to make sure the 5 I initially though wasn't just a honey-moon feeling, and turns out it definitely wasn't. Even after 50+ spins in that time I haven't even outplayed anything yet, which says alot. Needs a lot more attention, as it is currently and likely will be the best hardcore release of 2010.
| | | Album Rating: 4
I hope to see them if they come to the states. They have such a solid sound for such a young band.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I'll check this out. Probably not a 5.
Digging: Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead | | | Album Rating: 3.5
huh. this is actually prty good... solid 3.5 but it might become a 4. sweet shit.
| | |
whoa a 5. album gets pretty meh for me after a while.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off
Good job on the review, but I don't think this is 5 worthy. Still, a very impressive debut.
Digging: Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight Digging: Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight | | |
just started listening. pretty good but not a 5
| | | Album Rating: 4
Liking the fuck out of this so far.
Digging: Janus - Nox Aeris | | | Album Rating: 3.5
i love this. this review is justified. band is 17-18 years old
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
this is good
| | | Album Rating: 5
Yeah I gave this a 5 after taking into consideration how young the band is, this is their debut album, and with how dull and boring metalcore as a whole has become this album seems destined to be the album we will point to in 10 years and say "That's what saved metalcore"
| | |
Dude this CD is BADASS!!!!
| | | Album Rating: 4
great record, gave it a 4, to my mind the songwriting is a little bit too "boylike" ... but i love it ! :p
| | | Album Rating: 4
What a great cd. Good review too.
Digging: Hands Like Houses - Ground Dweller Digging: Hands Like Houses - Ground Dweller | | | Album Rating: 4
Good review and album. If anybody is looking to listen to any bands like this you could try Phinehas or Kingdoms. I downloaded all 3 at about the same time and their sounds are somewhat similar to Counterparts.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
getting this.
Digging: The Weeknd - House of Balloons | | | Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off
Is good
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
summary makes me nervous though, legendary?
| | | Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off
True, I wouldn't call it legendary. In fact, this album really isn't anything out of the ordinary, but because there has been so much shitty metalcore released recently, this is like a breath of fresh air.
| | | |
|
|
Stumble
Digg
Twitter
Del.icio.us
