Live Review: Counterparts, Kublai Khan, Paleface, Dying Wish | Electric Brixton, London | 06/05/2023
Hot off the heels of acclaimed new album A Eulogy For Those Still Here and a tour late last year in support, Canadian metalcore stalwarts Counterparts have returned to our shores again. (Pictures from Bristol's SWX)
Dying Wish
Dying Wish are making the most of their first ever UK tour, tearing through a half hour set with reckless abandon to a rammed room. They might only be on half an hour after doors (thankfully pushed back by fifteen minutes) but the room is not only heaving but goes off without provocation. Before they’ve even played a chord a pit has opened; when they kick into ‘Fragments of a Bitter Memory’ the whirl of limbs becomes lethal. The band don’t even have to command pits or crowd surfers as they peel off blistering riffs and breakdowns with ease. ‘Cowards Feed, Cowards Bleed’ is 90 seconds of colossal beatdown, Emma Boster delivering full throated snarls and roars, while her cleans during new song ‘Torn From Your Silhouette’ are transcendent. Frankly, it’s a masterclass in metalcore aggression from one its most exciting new bands.
Photo Credit: Kate Gavaletz-Smith
Score: 9/10
Paleface
In stark comparison, Paleface are underwhelming at best; the Swiss nu-deathcore outfit suffer from an exceptionally flat mix that robs their sub drop powered breakdowns of any impact. While the crowd in front of the stage do their utmost to injure the people next to them, it doesn’t feel equivalent to the energy of the band. It loses all momentum during a mostly acapella rap midway into their set and doesn’t ever recover. With a flat mix and uninspiring, slamming deathcore that could sound better, it’s difficult to argue for them being on anything other than first. But, their fans at the front love it regardless and there’s plenty of bouncing punters and flailing limbs, so at least someone’s having fun.
Photo Credit: Kate Gavaletz-Smith
Score: 5/10
Kublai Khan TX
Kublai Khan TX bring the energy back up in seconds, ‘The Hammer’ pulverising from the get go. Matt Honeycutt’s commanding bark is simply undeniable, as are his regular “baby” quips to the crowd (“two step for me, baby”). It’s become a trademark of his and it makes for endearing moments amongst the brutality. The Texans know exactly how to party; dropping ‘Eyes Up’ into ‘True Fear’ (which also features Emma Boster reappearing for a searing guest spot) incites unhinged pits and the crowd chanting back every gang shout and mosh call. It’s music to get ignorant to in the best way, new single ‘Theory of Mind’ and its call of “monkey see, monkey do” hitting like a spinkick to the face. They’re clearly having a blast as well, seeing the constant sea of limbs and surfers as they effortlessly lower the IQ in the room with every chugging riff and beatdown. Kublai Khan are back, baby.
Photo Credit: Kate Gavaletz-Smith
Score: 8/10
Counterparts
As wild as people have gone for most the other bands tonight though, it truly does belong to Counterparts. Brendan Murphy’s penchant for pop is well-known at this point and the summery anthems blaring from the PA before they come on get a good few hips moving. “Hip hip hooray, it’s time to meet your new short king of England – me” is all the warning given before ‘Whispers of Your Death’ kicks off, with quips of “let’s go Coronation Street” immediately followed by ‘Bound to the Burn’. Usually known for his near-bullying of crowds with insults galore, tonight Brendan seems incredibly happy; thanking the crowd for simply giving a shit and letting them enjoy this tour with some of their friends so much. It’s easy to see why; just look at the sea of people surfing during ‘Monument’, or the deafening singing back ‘Whispers of Your Death’ and virtually every other song. At the sold-out, biggest show of their career, Counterparts prove that for all Brendan’s joking of ripping off Misery Signals, they’re one of the most reliable and emotional bands to grace metalcore and have some of the most dedicated and engaged fanbases who give it more than their all every time.
Photo Credit: Kate Gavaletz-Smith
Score: 10/10