With no warning, Canadian metalcore veterans Counterparts just surprise-released a new EP titled Heaven Let Them Die, which marks the band’s first new music in two years. What’s more, they’re also celebrating its arrival through a gory, double-feature music video behind the new record’s “A Martyr Left Alive” and “No Lamb Was Lost.”
The six-song EP follows the group’s 2022 full-length, A Eulogy for Those Still Here, and is described in a press release as finding the act “going harder than ever before.” Counterparts likewise scrubbed and relaunched their social media presence this morning (November 7th), writing in a new Instagram post that Heaven Let Them Die is “the most authentic representation of this band to date.”
“Heaven Let Them Die is Counterparts at our most aggressive — sonically, lyrically and visually,” vocalist Brendan Murphy continued in a press statement. “Picking up where Eulogy ended, Heaven Let Them Die details how I came to terms with all I had foreshadowed in the previous release and how that led me to where I am now. This EP is the most authentic representation of Counterparts to date — honest, harsh and without restraint.”
In terms of the music, opening cut “A Martyr Left Alive” initially bomb-blasts its way into your ears before swerving through gristle-heavy sludge riffs, post-hardcore etherealness, and a viciously screamed set of lyrics from Murphy. “No Lamb Was Lost” locks into a leaner hardcore groove.
Without spoiling too much, the accompanying music video hits all the beats you’d expect from a story about a girl and her goat: ritual sacrifices, blood-thirsty fallen angels and revenge killings. You can see how it all plays out down in the player below, where you can likewise listen to the rest of the EP.
Heaven Let Them Die is streaming now via Pure Noise Records. You can pre-order vinyl and CD copies over here.
Heaven Let Them Die tracklisting:
A Martyr Left Alive
With Loving Arms Disfigured
To Hear of War
No Lamb Was Lost
Praise No Artery Intact
Heaven Let Them Die