As you can imagine, a number of the subjects of this influence series are big names in the world of alternative music and some would argue that they don't get any bigger than Aussie giants Parkway Drive. Since the release of this album I've been hooked on their often anthemic brand of metalcore, along with half of the planet. If you've seen any of the bands documentaries you'll know they're known in every corner of the globe, from Sao Paulo to Beijing, from Glasgow to their beginnings in Byron Bay - worldwide they have changed lives and spread their message.
Personally, Parkway Drive were one of the first bands to really push me to believe I could write and sing myself and this album laid down a lot of groundwork in that respect. Stylistically I took a lot from Winston; he was one of the only vocalists I really tried to emulate whilst learning the tools of the trade, his ability to keep lyrical clarity in his vocals is second to none and something I felt was very important to the survival of the genre.
So, the album that was most important to me was this, Deep Blue: released just under 8 years ago now, it has become a landmark album in that it installed forever the sound of Parkway Drive in our minds.
I'm going to say it now before I dive in, the opening 4/5 tracks hold some of the most memorable riffs and lyrics that you'll hear from the band, particularly Sleepwalker, Deadweight and Alone. All three are perfect examples of Parkway's relentless thrash-like attitude, delivering uniquely different tracks that work perfectly with one another, the epic and anthemic former's and the groovy latter bringing us in to the second half and the infamous Deliver Me - this has since become a festival favourite both for the band (I think) and certainly for fans.
As we move to the end of the album, the same can be said as before, rousing guitar riffs that echo the greats like Metallica (a sign of their early influences), the driving drums that create the basis for the bands speed and the life-affirming lyrics of Winston McCall. Karma, the heartlifting Home Is For The Heartless and the awesome Leviathan I close the album and round off the whole record beautifully. Few albums are so consistent in their songwriting, and its in that relentless consistency that have put the sea-sick hearts on the map.
Much like the subjects of the first part of this series, Parkway Drive are responsible for influencing so many bands across the globe, for inspiring people like myself (no matter their ability) to pick up a pen and/or microphone and use music to express themselves. It's a truly amazing outlet that shouldn't be over-looked.
Sun, sea, surf have fed this band for years, DEEP BLUE: 10/10
Top picks: Sleepwalker, Alone, Hollow
Deep Blue was released June 5th 2010:
Next time out I'll be looking at something a little closer to home, possibly one of the most important albums to my musical self and one I look forward to getting into.
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