*Counterparts. Photo by Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder).*

Ever since they formed in Hamilton, ON in 2007, Counterparts have walked a line between melody and brutality. Over seven albums, they’ve refined the art of emotional hardcore, never shying away from pain, but always finding a way to make it healing. Heaven Let Them Die is the latest step in that journey.

*Split Chain. Photo by Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder).*

It's a gamble catching the early opener at a packed hardcore show, but Wednesday night at The Palace Theatre, UK newcomers Split Chain made it abundantly clear they weren’t here to just warm up the crowd, they were here to make sure you remember their name. Opening for Counterparts alongside 156/Silence and thrown, Split Chain dropped straight into “Under the Wire,” the first track from their July release motionblur. “I know we’re new to most of you, that’s fine. Just get off your feet and make some space,” frontman Roberto Martínez‑Cowles urged the crowd, calling for more energy and the start of a circle pit. With the release of their debut single “Get Inside” in 2023, Split Chain quickly proved they were more than just a studio project. Since then, they've been recognized as “ones to watch” in the UK alt-rock and nu-metal genres. In a scene often dominated by metalcore and chaotic punk, Split Chain carves out their own space with a darker, moodier sound that channels the emotional intensity of grunge revival. They may still be earning their stripes in North America, but if this Calgary set was any indication, it won’t take long. By the time they closed with “I'm Not Dying To Be Here,” they had transformed a room full of strangers into fans.

*156/Silence. Photo by Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder).*

Touring in support of their latest album People Watching, Pittsburgh’s 156/Silence fit perfectly into the lineup. Fans screamed back the lyrics for most of their 30-minute set, a clear sign that Calgary was no stranger to their sound. Known for their high energy performances and crowd interaction, frontman Jack Murray wasted no time commanding the stage and the audience’s full attention.

In 2018, the band shifted toward a heavier, more aggressive style, with Murray stepping in as vocalist. They built their reputation through consistent local and regional touring. With a catalog spanning over a decade, the band delivered a setlist that balanced newer, more introspective melodies with heavier, older material that kept the pit circling.

By the second song, crowd surfers were popping up everywhere. They performed album favourites such as “Product Placement,” “Better Written Villain,” and “Character Development.” By the time 156/Silence wrapped their set, the Calgary crowd was fully warmed, drenched in sweat, and shouting for more.

*Crowd members. Photo by Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder).*

Within seconds, the pit exploded with flying elbows and high kicks. Though thrown only has a single EP, Extended Pain (2022), and a debut album, Excessive Guilt (2024), under their belt, they tore through fan favourites like “Greyout,” “New Low,” and “On The Verge” with relentless energy. Between songs, there was little banter, just quick nods and “Calgary, you’re insane” before diving straight back into the chaos. The only complaint? Their short set left the crowd desperate for more. Still building their catalogue, thrown’s performance felt full, deliberate, and paced like a punch to the throat. What’s most impressive is how tight and focused their songs come across live. No wasted notes, no wandering breaks, just pure, relentless tension from start to finish. With a no-nonsense approach to modern hardcore, they’re fast becoming a must see act on the international metalcore circuit.

Said to be the biggest stop on their Heaven Let Them Die North American Tour, Counterparts rode the momentum of their surprise EP, Heaven Let Them Die, and opened strong with “A Martyr Left Alive.” Wasting no time showcasing fresh material, the band debuted tracks like “To Hear of War” and “Praise No Artery Intact” live for the first time in Calgary. Their stage featured a gothic setup complete with church pews, stained glass windows, and ambient candlelight casting a dramatic backdrop behind the Canadian hardcore legends. The band notes on their Instagram page, “Live shows have been important for this EP, not just to promote it but to use the stage to unveil new songs, to confront the emotional weight of the music, and to merge older fan‑favourites with the newer, heavier material.” They've repeatedly described Heaven Let Them Die as their most honest and intense work yet, pushing themselves lyrically, musically, visually into harsher, more emotionally raw territory. Over the course of the 17-song set, they expertly balanced new material with fan favourites. The setlist included staples like “Burn” and “Choke” from Tragedy Will Find Us, alongside the deeply personal “Whispers of Your Death.” Counterparts' 2025 tour has solidified their reputation as a formidable force in the hardcore and metalcore scenes. Their ability to blend raw emotion with technical prowess continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.