COUNTERPARTS (CAN) w/Dying Wish (USA), Terminal Sleep
The Gov, Adelaide, South Australia
June 12th 2025

One of the perks of being a music journalist is that you get to go to a lot of shows. While there are plenty of shows I would go to whether I was working or not, when I saw Counterparts and Dying Wish were heading back to Australia, I knew this tour was high on the list of priorities. Normally we don’t make it a habit to cover headline shows of bands from outside the Asia Pacific Region, unless they are playing with a predominately local card- but there was something about this tour that felt important. Then they went ahead and added Melbourne’s Terminal Sleep, and I knew for sure we had to be there.

So rolling into Adelaide’s iconic venue The Gov, the turn out had me a little worried at the start. After checking some of the killer merch on offer, I found a spot at the front and settled in. The no barricades were definitely a positive sign and as the punters started to pour in, something that can be already challenging on a Thursday night in Winter in Adelaide, I could already see that my excitement for this show was founded.

Terminal Sleep was first to grace the stage. After paying their respects with an Acknowledgement of Country, the ominous opening riff of ‘Tried And True’ rang out through the venue; the ultimate song to put the band’s intensity on full display. Frontwoman Bec Thorwesten’s vicious vocals like a siren song to the lovers of breakdowns, as those who were not as familiar with the band started to make their way to the stage. Following on with ‘Spineless’, there was no time wasted. This band has a sense of rawness about them that makes you feel every second down to a cellular level- and that is just when you listen to them recorded. Live it’s a whole different beast. 

The guitars were so precise in their execution. Catchy but heavy riffs, with pinched harmonics, solos and every lick hitting at just the right time. Beefy bass by Dustin Santos providing the perfect body for their absolutely monster sound. Todd Tombleson is an absolute weapon behind the kit, delivering a sound that rumbles the soul. Bec’s playfulness juxtaposed with her almost possessed demeanour establishes such a dominance on the stage that most lead singers strive for. Rounding off their set with a cameo from Nic Fickling from Adelaide hardcore contingent Stressed, a new track and the ferociously heavy ‘Death Therapy’- it was a hell of a showing for the Melbourne act, winning over many new fans.

As the stage was cleared, it meant it was time for Oregon’s melodic metalcore darlings Dying Wish. It was evident they had quite the following in Adelaide, the crowd giving them a warm welcome as they came up. Opening up with ‘Symptoms Of Survival’, the energy was hype from the jump and as they rumbled into ‘Watch My Promise Die’ it only built from there. Giving us those classic metalcore riffs, throwing us right back into the golden era with a modern hardcore twist, it is little wonder they have such a wide reaching appeal. Singer Emma Boster commanded the room with a beautiful blend of power and care. 

Pointing out a younger fan, delivering messages of solidarity and protest against the genocide in Palestine and immigration issues across the US- it is always refreshing to see a metalcore band actually act with hardcore values. An unwavering sense of passion was evident throughout their set, from both the band and those in the pit singing along. Every song seemed to hit with a ferocity unmatched and by the time they got to ‘I Brought You My Soul (Your World Brought Me Despair)’ and  ‘Enemies In Red’, it was just all consuming energy that you felt yourself getting sucked into. Finishing off with the raw and wonderful ‘Innate Thirst’, it’s easy to see why so many people have fallen in love with his band. One thing I cannot go without mentioning, was seeing how many women and young girls had made their way to the front for both Dying Wish and Terminal Sleep. The look of admiration and awe to see these absolutely powerful women tear up the stage, it showed the impact they have. That was one of the highlights of the show for me.

While the show was not sold out, by the time Counterparts made their way out, the room was definitely pretty packed in. As the drums rumbled in of ‘A Martyr Left Alive’, it became evident why this band is indeed a cult favourite. There is a sense of genuine and authentic energy that Counterparts give off. Their music is dense with emotion, heaviness and power- but when it is performed, it just feels like you are watching old friends perform. There is no bravado, just authentic expression. Vocalist Brendon Murphy comes across as one of the realest guys in the scene, especially rocking his Jennie Kim t-shirt. Words of poetry delivered in a package of expertly crafted more hardcore leaning metalcore; it creates a battle in your body that makes you both want to throw down mercilessly in the pit and stand there to let it all wash over you.

The Canadian metalcore mainstays drew from across their discography ensuring there was something for fans from every stage. ‘Bound To The Burn’ went so goddamn hard, as did ‘Choke’– separating the older fans from the newer ones. The voices of the crowd rang out, as bodies battled for the mic on so many occasions. A certain level of aggression did come out in the pit, not in a good way, but in a testament to the security at the venue, they let people sort it out themselves. Despite this, those braving the pit did not hold back. For their efforts, the band returned the love tenfold. Playing ‘Cherished’ amongst plenty of bangers from their new album, somehow they packed 17 songs in a set that felt like it flew by. 

As the final notes of ‘Heaven Let Them Die’ rang out the room and the band started to make their way off stage, the ‘ONE MORE SONG’ chants began. Of course, they obliged. Ripping through ‘Love Me’, they ended on probably objectively one of the most gut-wrenching songs in metalcore, ‘Whispers Of Your Death’. A touching tribute to Brendan Murphy’s now passed cat Kuma, most Counterparts fans are aware of the impact of the song and almost everybody bearing witness sang their hearts out. 

While many of us in the metalcore scene respect Counterparts, I personally think they are one of the most underrated bands out there. Seeing them for a second time, this time as a fan, there is just something about them that makes me want to see them succeed completely. The whole show was one of the most cathartic, fun and most authentic experiences I’ve had. No band egos, no obnoxious behaviour, no cheesy gimmicks- it was just straight up good music, played by good people.