Canadian metalcore band Counterparts tears Bristol a new one with a stacked support lineup and heals the hearts of the jilted lovers.
It’s a rainy night, the day after Valentine’s Day, and the queue stretches around the corner for a night of hardcore at Electric, Bristol, and those who are here early are in the know.
Counterparts have a habit of bringing festival-worthy nights to their tour, where fans aren’t just treated to two supports, but 3, world-class supports who could hold their own in a venue this size.
First up were Merseyside’s metalcore 6-piece God Complex. They start the night as they mean to go on with their heavy hitter, Death Trip. Lead man Harry Rule stirs the crowd into a frenzy with bodies and limbs flying in unison. They rip through their 6-song setlist and get the crowd warmed up for the rest of the night.
While you thought you were going to have a breather, next comes rising and coming stars, One Step Closer. Tonight sees a heavier slice of their back catalogue, with the band opening with Leap Years, from their 2024 release All You Embrace. Reminiscent of the 2000s skate-punk era, tonight sees the first crowd surfers fly over the barrier with frontman Ryan Savitski screaming for more. A busy night ahead for security.
When I first mentioned I was coming to this show, almost everyone mentioned that Sunami was the band to check out, so expectations were high, and expectations were well and truly met. So-Cal’s hardcore 4-piece has a reputation that precedes them. Their slam-metal setlist had heads banging, kicks spinning, and bodies flying over the barrier. You can see that the band’s age and experience, with each member playing their part in delivering a kick-ass headline support slot.
Finally, headliners Counterparts hit the stage to an eager and sweaty crowd, and with 3 supports that had the floor moving from front to back, the crowd was about to give everything they could to their Canadian metalcore heroes.
Opening the set with A Martyr Left Alive frontman Brendan Murphy controls the crowd with sheer charisma. His guttural screams pierced through the PA, resonating with anyone who had been feeling low the night before. This band is well-oiled and shows no sign that they’re deep into a European tour.
Their set swirls through a river of deep cuts and fan favourites, including a number from their title EP “Heaven Let Them Die”. The night closes with Whisper of Death, with the crowd screaming, “make your cancer mine” to conclude a triumphant night and celebration of modern metalcore.
There will be some sore bodies in the office tomorrow.
