PARKWAY DRIVE w/ The Devil Wears Prada + The Ghost Inside + 50 Lions

For Australian metal fans, the thought that there is a band from the genre that has come out of the wood work, gained the attention of millions, and become one of this country's biggest exports, is not a regular one by any means. We as metal and hardcore fans do not often experience the satisfaction of one of our artists dominating the charts on the world stage, and while metal is booming in Australia, we very rarely see a band become such a massive, universal hit. But on this night, we know that not only the fans are taking notice, but the industry and big wigs are also bowing to the might and brutality that is our one and only, PARKWAY DRIVE. 

The night began with some straight hardcore in the form of 50 LIONS, also out of Byron Bay. This band have always lived in the shadows of the hardcore scene here, but tonight they showed that they have what it takes to become a heavyweight in the ever-growing scene. Oscar McCall's vocals have always struck me as underwhelming but he seems to have overcome this affliction and as the band progressed, I was increasingly impressed by the ferocity with which McCall addressed his audience. The moshing began almost immediately and the crowd gave birth to the first circle pit of the evening. 50 Lions have never been a band I thought I would enjoy watching live, but tonight I was proven wrong. I have heard from countless people that this band have to be seen to fully appreciate what they have to offer, and now I understand why.

Next up was the mosh-heavy, breakdown-laden sound of Los Angeles 5-Piece THE GHOST INSIDE. Fresh off the release of their crushing album "Returners", The Ghost Inside again return to our shores to show us that they are here to tear the faces off anyone who is brave enough to doubt them. It was clear that this band are 100% dedicated to their craft and from the moment the opening bars of "Unspoken" kicked in, it was evident how large the following for The Ghost Inside really is. The crowd participation during "Chrono, Destined and Greater Distance" was spectacular and the band drew energy from this crowd of adoring fans. As the band swung into the closing tracks, I noted the incredible emergence of this genre in recent times and how a band from LA, who were largely unrecognizable only a year ago, have managed to turn this entire, sold-out room, completely upside down. The band closed out their set with "Provoke" and "Faith Or Forgiveness" and as the band left the stage, one could literally feel the excitement that surrounded the room, in anticipation of the next band.

Since 2006, Dayton, Ohio's own metalcore monsters THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA have been tearing stages and audiences to shreds across the globe and tonight was not to be any different. As the lights dimmed, and the shrill, grinding scream of vocalist Mike Hranica rang in the opening track "Danger: Wildman", this ever-growing crowd completely lost it. Death pits opened up in every area of the floor and finding a spot to watch the band without catching the foot or elbow of a sweaty hardcore kid was becoming increasingly difficult. This band have always been a personal favorite of mine. The technicality with which The Devil Wears Prada approach the genre is something to be admired and the interaction between band and crowd tonight was stunning. The epic "Sassafras", the opening track from the band's latest full-length "With Roots Above And Branches Below", showcased the brilliance of Mike Hranica's screams, accompanied with Jeremy DePoyster's clean harmonies that were near pitch perfect. The band tore into old favorite "Dogs Can Grow Beards All Over" and "Hey John, What's Your Name Again?" before again demonstrating that this band has everything is takes to absolutely destroy a crowd by pulling out a newer offering in the form of the terrifyingly heavy "Outnumbered" from the latest offering, "Zombie EP". Crushing guitars, brutal drum lines Death growls were the order of the moment and by the time the band closed out their set with "Assistant To The Regional Manager" this crowd was, quite possibly pre-maturely, completely spent... Or so I thought. As The Devil Wears Prada left the stage, a hush fell over The Hordern Pavilion, and the crowd began to swell, as the realization set in. The moment this crowd pined for, was finally here.

Slow breathing, the sound of dripping water, that haunting melody... and Winston McCall's crushing growl "Resistance is suffering!!" PARKWAY DRIVE had arrived in a blaze of brutality in the form of "Samsara". The feeling of being in a sold out pit at a Parkway show, while incredible, is nothing short of terrifying. The adrenaline pumps, your vision blurs and every inhibition goes out the window as you become engulfed in a sea of sweat and blood soaked bodies. As the band tear through another new track from the new album "Deep Blue" including breakdown after breakdown in the form of "Unrest" I realized this is unlike anything else you experience at a gig, all you can do is become one with this complete and utter melee. Its what this band is famous for, and we absolutely love it.

Parkway's full-frontal assault continued, McCall's vocals and calls for the crowd to move increasing in ferocity. "Idols and Anchors" sent the crowd into a frenzy, Ben Gordon's double kick rung loud through the venue and Jeff and Luke's guitar noodling of course called for the famous Parkway Fingers from the crowd. Nostalgia set in as the opening chords of the crushing crowd favorite "Smoke 'Em If Ya Got 'Em" tore through the sound waves. The tenacity with which this Parkway Drive approaches their live show was further displayed as the band continued their march into battle with "Dead Man's Chest, Karma, Deliver Me, The Cruise and Home Is For The Heartless" which included "Brett Guerwitz's" clean vocal's sung by a very revved-up, beaten crowd. 

The shirts are off, the sweat is flowing and the blood is plentiful. We were at the point in time where people either harden up, and stick it out, or retreat to the safety of the seats. We're nearing the end. The business end. "Guns For Show, Knives For A Pro" and "The Sirens Song" are reminders that there is no slowing down, and that this is not for the faint of heart. Then comes "Romance Is Dead", which has always meant the night has come to a close. But not tonight. The 1 minute shred-fest that is "Set To Destroy" is unleashed like a bull out of a gate and the band leave the stage to wild cheers of adoration from their thousands of fans. The night is over almost as quickly as it has begun. But no one leaves. No one. After several minutes of chanting,  the lights come up and the band takes the stage to deafening roars. The opening bars signal the onslaught as "Carrion" destroys what little energy remains, but the final nail in the coffin is the brilliantly crafted, crushingly heavy "Boneyards". Parkway left the stage, and left in their wake 5000 broken, beaten and scared fans. I leave, completely lost in my own little world, marveling at what I have just witnessed. 

Having been a fan of Parkway Drive for many years, and having seen them countless times, it is hard when reviewing them to not let personal preference get in the way and to not be subjective. But fortunately tonight, as expected, there was no need and from the moment the lights dimmed, and the band took the stage, everyone somehow knew, that this was going to be a night to remember. This was, without a doubt, a metal show that this little band from Byron Bay can be forever proud of.

NC