Review: Parkway Drive - Horizons

Artist: Parkway Drive
Album: Horizons
Label: Resist / Epitaph
Released: 10/9/2007



BSTscore: 80

Horizons is the 2^nd full length from Australia’s Parkway Drive. Picking up where Killing with a Smile left off, the band continues to pound out metalcore without any strings attached.

The guitar work on this album, much like the band’s previous album, will instantly catch the listener. Luke Kilpatrick and Jeff Ling provide melodic solos to balance blistering tempos and breakdowns. The more you listen, the more you will appreciate what the pair brings to the music.

I am disappointed in the mixing on the album because it masks the rhythm section on quite a few songs. Bassist Jia O’Connor is almost inaudible and drummer Ben Gordon is often drowned out by the guitars. The snare is about the only thing audible throughout (especially during the thrash sections) and only when the guitars are quiet can you hear anything else.

Although not everyone will connect with the lyrics on this album, I was impressed in the depth of the songs. There are no verse, chorus, verse, chorus patterns on Horizons. Very rarely is anything repeated on this album which tells me that some serious time was devoted to the lyrics. The songs are both dark and emotional, showing passion behind the words.

Lead vocalist Winston McCall has a very straight forward delivery and his crisp screams are an excellent fit with the music. My only complaints are that with the fast pace, some of the words are incoherent and occasionally he flirts with death metal growling which doesn’t fit very well.

I really like the band’s ability to mix melody with the fast tempos and breakdowns. Sure, it has been done before, but Parkway Drive pulls it off well. I don’t think this album flows as well as Killing with a Smile, but that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with this one.

I think the best word to describe this album, and Parkway Drive, is refreshing. The band has done enough to make sure you know who you are listening to without trying to distance themselves from an established sound. The album is a good listen from start to finish, but I’m more partial to Killing with a Smile. Being from Australia won’t help the band much in the States, but I think more and more people will continue to notice this band.

Musicianship: 80
Vocals: 80
Creativity: 75
Impact: 85

Favorite Song: "The Siren's Song"

Listen to Parkway Drive