Parkway Drive is a metalcore band hailing from Australia. The band is back with their sophomore release, Horizons, and ready to make an even bigger splash following its successful turn on Warped Tour.
Australia isn't known for their metal (or related genres) exports, Parkway Drive is doing their part to give the scene a kick-start. The only other band from the heavier end of the spectrum to make it big outside of Australia that I can think of is AC/DC and they aren't metal.
Anyway, Horizons is a strong album that is a step up from 2006's Killing with a Smile, but doesn't really cover any new ground. Fortunately, what ground it does cover is explored successfully and confidently. It is sure to get the pit churning as well.
For those of you who haven't heard of Parkway Drive, their unassuming name disguises a band that is chock full of blast beats, heavy breakdowns, and melodic twin guitars, all led by some lung destroying guttural screams.
In the past I have made it a point to comment on names that I thought were poor or odd, Parkway Drive is one that I think may do the band something of a disservice. I have not real problem with it, other than when I hear "Parkway Drive" fierce metalcore is not what comes to mind. Credit to the band for breaking down band name perceptions. Let this be a lesson to not judge a band by their name.
Horizons, like the band's debut CD, was produced by Adam Dutkiewicz, axe-man for metalcore leaders Killswitch Engage. Knowing that, you can hear some Killswitch in this band's sound. Of course, it is hard to be an up and coming metalcore act and not be compared to the leaders of the genre.
Now, it is not so much the music itself that sounds like Killswitch, but the great production values. This album is crisp, clear and very heavy. There is a nice balance between the instruments that is something to be applauded.
The album kicks off with the light instrumental intro called simply "Begin." Lasting less than a minute, this does not prepare you for when "The Siren's Song" kicks in full gear with lightning fast arpeggios leading into the full frontal assault of vocalist Winston McCall. The song is a perfect example of what the band is all about with plenty of speedy melodic guitars, purely growled vocals, and breakdowns that will have the most timid of concert goers ready to jump in the pit.
Article comments
1 - Ashley McCormack
Pretty solid review and u make some good points. Personally i think five months is one of the more solid songs on the track, but certainly idols and anchors and moments of oblivion dont live up to the standard the other tracks set. It's true that the album doesnt break new ground which is a little dissapointing after the originality of PWD's first effort 'killing with a smile'. But still the sound they've created sounds so good they're probly a little reluctant to experiment with it just yet. The twin guitar work is getting a little predictable though.
2 - what
that's such a weak review, parkway drive is so much better than that, stop writing reviews on metal bands if you don't know what your talking about. Australia has a huge metal scene and just because it's underground doesn't mean it isn't good
3 - Yeah
Parkway drive's first effort was don't close your eyes, not killing with a smile.
4 - Chris Beaumont
Killing with a Smile was their full length debut, and the first album released in the US.
From the PD site:
"PARKWAY DRIVE created unseen hysteria with their brutal 2005 full-length debut, Killing With A Smile."
"On October 6th, Parkway Drive will unleash their standout sophomore effort, "Horizons."
5 - brandon decaprio
this band rules
6 - kmetal
I thought that the review was very well rounded... you shouldent review a band if your a diehard or if you hate the type of music either... most people who read this review will be fan of the band of at least a fan of heavy metal... i personally and not to huge a fan of metalcore but some one recommended these guys to me and gave it a shot... an Boatyards is the sickest song on the album..
7 - Mitchell
its boneyards ^^^
8 - ALEX
just so u now parkway drive got theyre name from a street they stayed there as a retreat they loved it so much they named theyre band after it
9 - Scott
you are all retarded the road that they named it after was the drummers (ben gordon)house they always played in the basement so they just decided to go with parkway drive because it didnt sound metal or gorey and it meant so much to them
10 - braydn
the boatyard! you fucking retard LOL! your a real big fan ayye ;)