Craft Recordings announces a 10th-anniversary vinyl pressing of The Difference Between Hell and Home, the broadly acclaimed third studio album from Canadian melodic hardcore band, Counterparts. Set for release on December 1 and available for pre-order now, the album features the scorching single “Witness” plus such fan favorites as “Compass” and “Ghost.” In addition to classic black wax, fans can also find The Difference Between Hell and Home in a selection of limited-edition colored pressings, including Iridescent Blue and Metallic Copper (both exclusive to the band’s store), Sky Blue Marble (CraftRecordings.com) and Spring Green vinyl (Revolver).
Formed in 2007 in Hamilton, ON, Counterparts quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned within the Canadian hardcore scene. Before long, they signed to Verona Records (run by fellow Ontario rocker Shane Told of Silverstein) and released their debut record, Prophets, in 2010. Before long, as their international profile continued to grow, the band caught the ears of Victory Records, who released their broadly acclaimed sophomore LP, The Current Will Carry Us, in the fall of 2011.
After a busy year of touring, Counterparts entered New Jersey’s Machine Shop studio with producer Will Putney (of Fit for an Autopsy) to work on their third full-length album. Bridging the ferocity of their debut with the genre-spanning melodies from their last record, the band found themselves settling into their sound while showcasing the breadth of their songwriting talents and technical prowess as musicians. Among the album’s more blistering highlights are “Compass,” “Ghost” and single “Witness,” all of which feature frontman Brendan Murphy’s powerful, growling vocals, plus breakneck instrumentation from guitarists Jesse Doreen and Alex Re and bassist Eric Bazinet. The band also shows off their softer, more contemplative side in the metered “Decay,” while songs like “Cursed” and “Wither” offer inspired – and, at times, ethereal – melodic interludes.
Released in July 2013, The Difference Between Hell and Home was received warmly by fans, landing in the Top 50 of Billboard’s Independent Albums chart and peaking at No.7 on the Heatseekers chart. The LP was also a critical success, earning praise from outlets on both sides of the Atlantic, including Britain’s Rock Sound, which hailed, “This is raw feeling, distilled through true musicianship – exactly as great hardcore should be.” Kerrang! declared the album “One for the heart,” while Alternative Press praised, “There’s a lot to appreciate.” New Transcendence asserted, “The Difference Between Hell and Home is a multifaceted and malicious juggernaut of a release which rips and tears at the listener’s soul, cutting away every ounce of negativity inside of them and leaving them with nothing but a can-do attitude, and a crystal-clear view of everything they are truly capable of.”
Reflecting on the album today, Brendan Murphy says: “I feel like The Difference Between Hell and Home was the first of our records where we actually came into our own and had a solid grasp on whatever it was that Counterparts was supposed to be. I consider it the first REAL Counterparts album and since it’s been out of print for a while, I’m excited to be able to give people another chance to own a physical copy…even though you were late to the party and I hate your guts for not loving us right away, I’ll gladly take your money now. Enjoy, losers. Love you.”
With a current line-up that includes founding members Brendan Murphy (vocals) and Jesse Doreen (lead guitar/bass), plus rhythm guitarist/bassist Tyler Williams and drummer Kyle Brownlee, Counterparts has released a total of seven studio albums, including 2022’s A Eulogy for Those Still Here. The band is currently in the middle of an extensive North American tour, which kicked off on September 15th and concludes on October 19th at Las Vegas’ House of Blues. Visit the band’s official site for tickets and more info.
The Difference Between Hell and Home Tracklist
Side A:
- Lost
- Ghost
- Debris
- Outlier
- Witness
- Decay
Side B:
- Compass
- Wither
- Cursed
- Slave
- Soil
