With album number four, Parkway Drive find themselves with the world at their feet. Having endured and silenced the naysayers, the band have become massive in their native Australia and are globally recognised as one of the greatest metalcore bands to have ever done it. They’ve managed to amass huge followings in the US and Europe, so it’s rather fitting that album four goes by the moniker ‘Atlas’.

The record clocks in at a meaty 50 minutes, and though most bands would struggle with that sort of length, Parkway Drive remain interesting and brutal throughout . Existing fans of the band will find absolutely stacks of things to love, and the swathes of experimental moments may convert a few naysayers to the cause. The band have as little trouble introducing string-led moments (‘Atlas’) as they do a bit of old school deck scratching (‘The Slow Surrender’), and the tasteful execution of both should be commended as a mastery of multiple styles.

‘Atlas’ feels natural throughout and the end product of hard work. It’s hard to deny that the band have been able to craft their sound into something absolutely compelling, and the breakdowns in tracks like ‘Wild Eyes’ will sound absolutely monstrous live. Moreover, it’s the way that the band have routed the album and woven experimental segments into their trademark towering speed that impresses the most - nothing feels there for the sake of it, and the band’s approach to dynamics means that tension bleeds through their quieter moments and unchained aggression drives the louder moments forward. The instrumental work throughout is fantastic, and Winston McCall remains a devastating vocal force. The production fits the band like a glove, and ‘Atlas’ is a true enticement to see the band live as a result – each track begs to be replicated from a stage at an unsafe volume, and Parkway Drive have set the bar extremely high for whatever they go on to do next.

Metalcore really isn’t ever going to be for everyone, but like BMTH’s ‘There Is A Hell...’ before it, there are particular albums in the genre that transcend the surface level silliness of some of the bands and replace it with genuine talent and passion. Parkway Drive are flying the flag for heavy music globally, and they deserve every single pit, every single accolade and every single fist in the air. They’re one of the few metal bands on the planet that manage to create memorable tracks without compromising on their heaviness, and ‘Atlas’ should and could be the record to see them progress from kings of a scene to festival headliner material here in the UK.

A credit to heavy music, and a potential future genre classic.


The band hit the UK in November:

November:

14 Birmingham Ballroom
15 Manchester Academy
16 Leeds University
17 London Roundhouse

You can purchase 'Atlas' now from one of the following links

Amazon UK
iTunes