If you know anything about me, or simply follow me on any of
my social media accounts, than you probably know that this past weekend marked
the release of my most highly anticipated record of 2015, Tragedy Will Find Us from Hamilton, Ontario based hardcore group
Counterparts. The band’s fourth full length album bolsters eleven tracks which effortlessly
join rhythmic guitars with heart-felt raw vocals, creating something
beautifully unique to anyone who puts in the time to listen.
First introduced to Counterparts following the release of
their first studio album from Victory Records titled Prophets, it has been nothing short of extraordinary to watch the
group progress and mature both lyrically and musically. In an interview with CayemInterviews, vocalist Brendan Murphy
states that “the first two records were
very blunt, literal and to the point. The
Difference Between Hell and Home was my first time sort of experimenting on
a more metaphorical basis, allowing those listening to gather their own meanings
to our songs. I think I definitely expanded more on that with this new record.”
Personally, I believe Murphy hit the head on the nail with this one, delivering
some of the most elaborate and intricate lyrical content I've heard in the
realm of hardcore music to date, songs of which arguably outshine modern
authors and poets of today.
The album opens up with tracks such as Stillborn and Stranger,
which accurately depict how it feels to live a life of depression,
contemplate thoughts of existence and mortality while constantly fighting to
urge to continue breathing. These tracks lead to the heart of the album where
listeners gain an insight into the kind of feelings and thoughts running though
Murphy’s mind as he battles his disease while simultaneously attempting to
sustain each passing day. Tracks like Choke
and Drown portray the age old tales
of love loss and disconnect, something we unfortunately find ourselves immersed in some point of our being. Finally, the record closes with Solace, a song Murphy personally wrote
for, “the one who allowed me to see the light., for the person responsible
for helping me break free,” which still manages to choke me up even after my
15+ listens to the nearly four minute epic.
Perhaps the fondest aspect of Tragedy Will Find Us in my eyes lies in the album’s ability to transition
from track to track with perfect cadence, creating a unique listening
experience foreign to most records released today. Not only does each
individual song relay it's own specific meaning, but the album itself thrives as
a tangible allegory of Murphy’s life, taking the listener though a whirlwind of
tragedy and self-realization. In speaking about the album with CaymenInterviews, Murphy himself states
that, “We focused a lot more on making the record flow better so that when you
put it on from the start you don’t want to skip songs. You want to listen to it
from beginning to end and think, ‘that was a record,’” a task the band
completed without any doubt. Listeners obviously can pick and choose their
favorites after having the CD for some time, but I urge you to at least run the
album cover to cover at least two or three times before marginalizing the track
into specifics, or the entire meaning behind the music will be lost.
With songs that punch you in the fucking gut alongside those
resulting in tears and solation, Tragedy
Will Find Us did more than simply meet my expectations, but changed my
perceptions toward what it truly means to release an album. The efforts by
guitarist Jesse Doreen to instrumentally illustrate the feelings of Murphy's scripture result in one of the most sentimental
musical experiences to date. I highly recommend you check out this album regardless
of you musical interests, and simultaneously read the lyrics on the internet
while you do so, an act which allows the album transcend the boundaries created
by modern music and transform the listening experience all together, resulting
in something truly one of a kind.
Tightest Tracks
Stranger
Choke
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