With a strident, heartfelt welcoming back to Australian soil that perhaps put them at odds with their latest release, a compilation of retrospective doco pieces and film clips titled Home is for the Heartless, Parkway Drive returned to the stage for what was promised to be an entertaining and enhanced experience. On the release of their latest album, Atlas and with the support of fellow home-grown metalcore outfits, I Killed The Prom Queen, Survival, (and Adelaideans, The Weight for a last minute home show) to boot, Parkway’s biggest tour for 2012 since their inclusion on this year’s Big Day Out bill did not disappoint.
Though it was an unexpected surprise to see resident hardcore band The Weight stepping up to the plate as first on the bill, the up and coming locals did the scene proud filling in for East Coast comrades Northlane who, although scheduled to play in Adelaide as part of the Australian tour, had to withdraw for the night due to unforeseen circumstances. Hammering out a handful of songs off their debut LP, Prisoners of the Flock, The Weight gave it their all in a heavy set that added Parkway to their growing arsenal of both national and international bands they’ve supported, including well known US outfit, Terror. Next stop, world domination for these intense musicians.
Though it was an unexpected surprise to see resident hardcore band The Weight stepping up to the plate as first on the bill, the up and coming locals did the scene proud filling in for East Coast comrades Northlane who, although scheduled to play in Adelaide as part of the Australian tour, had to withdraw for the night due to unforeseen circumstances. Hammering out a handful of songs off their debut LP, Prisoners of the Flock, The Weight gave it their all in a heavy set that added Parkway to their growing arsenal of both national and international bands they’ve supported, including well known US outfit, Terror. Next stop, world domination for these intense musicians.
Up next to the backdrop of punters eager for more heavy tunes to two-step and windmill to between the crowds were Survival. If the term survival of the fittest holds any real life meaning, than this hard hitting five-piece hailing from the Gold Coast are no better example. With their first self titled release on 7” vinyl debuting through Resist Records just weeks before joining Parkway as the second support, Survival are fast pushing their way onto the scene with young but fiery aggression and dexterity that are fast making them a household name around our shores. Giving fans (and all those rushing to be part of the Survival camp after the show) a preview of half a dozen songs off both the 7” and their demo released last year, which incorporated a personal favourite of their frontman, they kept the high energy of the night rolling forward with promise they would be back to Adelaide soon, where they always felt at home, and the announcement of the last support for the evening, I Killed The Prom Queen to come.
Metalcore veterans, I Killed The Prom Queen (or the fan abbreviated, IKTPQ) took to the stage next with songs off their most popular album to date, Music for the Recently Deceased, including Say Goodbye and €666. Determined to pack the floor with as many fit and able bodies as they could muster from the crowded halls and seating areas, IKTPQ’s new frontman, Jamie Hope urged the fans to wake up and give it all they had for a short, but sweet set that left everyone keen for the latest studio release on the cards for 2013 since their four-year long hiatus and reformation. Their appropriate return to their hometown of Adelaide felt good, best put into words by Hope who although was still fronting Victorian band, The Red Shore at the time of IKTPQ and Parkway’s first collaboration on their EP, Don’t Close Your Eyes, gave a respectful summary of the hard work they all have put forward over the years and the mighty empires they have risen to in the eyes of both their fellow musicians and punters.
Metalcore veterans, I Killed The Prom Queen (or the fan abbreviated, IKTPQ) took to the stage next with songs off their most popular album to date, Music for the Recently Deceased, including Say Goodbye and €666. Determined to pack the floor with as many fit and able bodies as they could muster from the crowded halls and seating areas, IKTPQ’s new frontman, Jamie Hope urged the fans to wake up and give it all they had for a short, but sweet set that left everyone keen for the latest studio release on the cards for 2013 since their four-year long hiatus and reformation. Their appropriate return to their hometown of Adelaide felt good, best put into words by Hope who although was still fronting Victorian band, The Red Shore at the time of IKTPQ and Parkway’s first collaboration on their EP, Don’t Close Your Eyes, gave a respectful summary of the hard work they all have put forward over the years and the mighty empires they have risen to in the eyes of both their fellow musicians and punters.
And then, to the screams and raising of the devil horns of a sold out show who were packed to the rails and rafters of the theatre, Parkway Drive took control of the wheel, opening the set with the first and second tracks, Sparks and Old Ghost/New Regrets from their fourth and latest album, Atlas. To say the crowd went wild is one of the biggest understatements of the year; the lively reactions of fans are a staple at any and all Parkway shows, but the energy was set to overdrive that night, so much so that frontman Winston McCall questioned the fans with ‘let’s see if you can answer a stupid question, are you guys having a good time tonight?’. The response was deafeningly positive. Letting the good times roll forward with a stellar set, including favourites like Sleepwalker, Boneyards, Idols and Anchors, and Dead Man’s Chest, this Australian success story shared their decade long journey, and huge repertoire of metalcore anthems with fans well on into the night.
While it seems like they have been everywhere though, they still remember where they are from and in McCall’s own words, the home soil means a lot to them. They too mean the world to fans; this much can be said after McCall’s reaction to punters’ final stretch for the night during an encore of Home is for the Heartless and Carrion, who paused during Carrion to coax more blood, sweat and tears from all and stood proudly at the helm, a loyal family of fans in for the fight – and what we all hope is another decade and trip to Parkway’s success.
Review by Rebecca Grant
Photos by Sofie Marsden. Check out the full gallery here
While it seems like they have been everywhere though, they still remember where they are from and in McCall’s own words, the home soil means a lot to them. They too mean the world to fans; this much can be said after McCall’s reaction to punters’ final stretch for the night during an encore of Home is for the Heartless and Carrion, who paused during Carrion to coax more blood, sweat and tears from all and stood proudly at the helm, a loyal family of fans in for the fight – and what we all hope is another decade and trip to Parkway’s success.
Review by Rebecca Grant
Photos by Sofie Marsden. Check out the full gallery here
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