The ban… Read Full Bio ↴Parkway Drive is a metalcore band from Byron Bay, Australia.
The band formed in the summer of 2003, their name coming from the street they used to practice on in their home town of Byron Bay, Australia. Not long after they had formed, they released a split EP with Adelaide band I Killed The Prom Queen. Later that year, the band also made an appearance on the Byron Bay Hardcore compilation What We've Built, preceded by their debut EP, Don't Close Your Eyes.
In May 2005 the PwD headed to the USA to record their debut album with renowned metal producer, Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz (who is responsible for acclaimed releases from the likes of Unearth, August Burns Red, Underoath and Johnny Truant.)
Since the release of Don't Close Your Eyes, Parkway Drive have rapidly accumulated a loyal fanbase Australia-wide, courtesy of support slots for international acts including Hatebreed, In Flames, Chimaira, Shadows Fall, As I Lay Dying, Bleeding Through, Alexisonfire, and performances at Metal for The Brain 2005 and Australia's Hardcore 2005. They have built quite a strong reputation within the music industry, this led to their signing with Epitaph record label.
In June 2006 they released Killing With a Smile in the United States during August of that year.
In late May 2006, second bass player Shaun Cash left the band for personal reasons with the full support of the rest of the members. The band soon found a replacement in their "merch guy" and long-time friend, Jia "Pie" O'Connor. Now a permanent part of the line-up, he played with them for the rest of their first international tour in the United Kingdom, and Europe, and later dates in the United States.
In October 2006, they were billed as the Australian contingent on the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour, playing alongside Anti-Flag, Underoath, Thursday, Senses Fail, Taking Back Sunday and Saosin. During November and December 2006, they appeared at the Homebake Festival, Sound Fest, Resist Records' tour, Soundwave Festival and Gravity G Festival before returning to the UK and Europe.
On 3 March 2007, a new song was previewed to a crowd at Underworld entitled "The Siren's Song". The song would later feature on Horizons. They were placed on the bill for the U.S. Vans Warped Tour 2007 as the only Australian band on the tour. On 15 August, Winston McCall appeared in an interview on the short.fast.loud show on Australia's Triple J Radio station in which he previewed a track off Horizons entitled "Boneyards".
Horizons was released on 6 October 2007. The album was generally acclaimed by critics and fans alike; especially Blunt Magazine, who wrote that the album 'simply slays from the get go' and awarded it 10/10, and planet-loud.com, which suggested that it would 'set the benchmark for metal albums to come'. It debuted at number 6 on the ARIA Charts. After the release of Horizons, the band toured through the US, Australia and Europe with such bands such as Killswitch Engage, Bury Your Dead, Darkest Hour and others.
In February/March 2008, Parkway teamed up with Byron Bay bands/friends 50 lions and Word Up!, to complete the Surf Rats Tour of east coast Australia. This tour (travelling to towns not listed on the standard touring circuit) was based around surfing big surf spots on the way.
On 12 December 2008 while performing at UNSW Roundhouse, Parkway Drive announced that they were filming a DVD of the show, which would include footage of the performance and a few songs from other bands featured in the Sweat Fest Tour. On 18 January 2009, Parkway Drive announced their headlining US tour with Stick to Your Guns and Mychildren Mybride. On 28 January to 1 February 2009, Parkway Drive went on a tour in Japan with Shai Hulud and Crystal Lake. Parkway Drive played at the 2009 Bamboozle Lineup at the Giant's Stadium parking lots; as well as being confirmed at 2009's Download Festival.
In May 2009, Parkway Drive announced that they would be releasing a live DVD and an Australian tour was also announced with August Burns Red and Architects in support of it. It was on this tour that the band performed a new song entitled "Unrest."
On 11 January 2022, the band announced a North American tour in May and June, supported by Hatebreed, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Stick to Your Guns. However, on 6 April, they announced the cancellation of the tour, stating that "the relentless nature of being in this band has given us very little time to reflect on who we are as individuals, who we want to be and the toll it is taking on ourselves and our friendships". On 23 May, it was announced that for their mental health, Parkway Drive would be taking a break from activity, but clarified that they "are here to stay".
On 7 June, following a series of teasers released on various social media, the band unveiled a brand new single entitled "Glitch" along with a music video. On 8 June, the band announced that their Fall 2022 European tour with Lorna Shore and While She Sleeps would continue as scheduled with a rebrand, and new music to accompany said tour. On 6 July, the band released the second single "The Greatest Fear" and its corresponding music video. At the same time, they officially announced that their seventh studio album, Darker Still, was set for release on 9 September 2022, whilst also revealing the album cover and the track list.
Discography:
Albums
- 2005 - Killing with a Smile (Resist Records, Epitaph Records)
- 2007 - Horizons (Resist Records, Burning Heart Records, Epitaph Records)
- 2010 - Deep Blue (Resist Records, Epitah Records, Burning Heart)
- 2012 - Atlas (Resist Records, Epitah Records, Burning Heart)
- 2015 - I.R.E.
- 2018 - Reverence
- 2022 - Darker Still
Other Releases:
- 2003 - Split EP with I Killed The Prom Queen
- 2004 - Don’t Close Your Eyes EP (Resist Records)
- 2006 - Don’t Close Your Eyes (Reissue) EP (Resist Records)
- n/a - “What We’ve Built” BBHC compilation
- 2006 - Smoke ‘Em If Ya Got ‘Em (Resist Records)
- 2007 - Boneyards (Resist Records)
- 2009 - Parkway Drive: The DVD
Members:
Current:
Winston McCall - Vocals (2003–present)
Jeff Ling - Lead guitar (2003–present)
Luke "Pig" Kilpatrick - Rhythm guitar (2003–present)
Ben "Gaz" Gordon - Drums (2003–present)
Jia "Pie" O'Connor - Bass (2006–present)
Former:
Shaun "Cashy" Cash - Bass (2004–2006)
Brett "Lagg" Versteeg - Bass & backing vocals (2003–2004)
Idols and Anchors
Parkway Drive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Championless
The seas are rising
So torch every banner
Every hope of surviving
This storm is breaking
Security has left you treading water
Taste the uncertainty
What will you do (what will you do)
When there's nothing left for you to cling to?
What will you do (what will you do)
With your one last breath?
Thrive in your emptiness
Burn all you love
There's no hope for the weak
Our heroes have died
No heart
No hope
Face to face with the abyss (with the abyss)
One by one they fall away
And won't be missed
Can you hear it?
Can you hear the sound
As our broken idols
Come crashing down?
Now taste the fear
Now taste the fear
Burn all you love
There's no hope for the weak
Our heroes have died
Burn all you love
There's no hope for the weak
Burn all you love
The lyrics of Parkway Drive's song "Idols and Anchors" are heavy with meaning and emotion. The song speaks of heroes and champions falling, leaving a sense of uncertainty and overwhelm in their wake. The imagery of rising seas and a storm breaking alludes to the chaotic and turbulent nature of life when everything we always thought would stand falls away. The chorus implores listeners to "taste the fear" and confront the emptiness and uncertainty that life can sometimes bring.
The lyrics suggest that in the face of adversity and loss, we must burn all that we love and cling to as there is no hope for the weak. The song's theme is one of overcoming, of accepting what has been lost and pushing forward into the unknown with courage and fortitude. The final lines of the song are particularly poignant, as they speak of a face-to-face encounter with the abyss, as the idols and champions that once seemed invincible fall away, one by one.
In many ways, "Idols and Anchors" speaks to the human experience of facing loss and the unknown. Whether it is a personal tragedy or a larger social shift, the song's message is one of resilience and strength. It is a call to accept what has been lost and not cling to the past, but to look ahead with hope and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Now your heroes have fallen
Your idols and inspirations have crumbled and fallen apart
Championless
They have lost all their victories and have become powerless
The seas are rising
A crisis or problem is growing bigger and stronger
So torch every banner
Destroy every symbol of hope for the future
Every hope of surviving
All possibilities of staying alive are being erased
This storm is breaking
The crisis is reaching its climax
Security has left you treading water
You're just struggling to stay afloat and survive, without any solid support or safety net
Now taste the fear
Feel the intense, overwhelming panic and distress
Taste the uncertainty
Experience the sense of unknown and unpredictable future
What will you do (what will you do)
What kind of actions and decisions will you make
When there's nothing left for you to cling to?
When all hope and safety is lost, what will you hold onto?
With your one last breath?
Even with the last bit of strength and willpower, what can you achieve?
Thrive in your emptiness
Find a way to live and grow despite the overwhelming pain and emptiness
Burn all you love
Sacrifice everything that you cherish and value
There's no hope for the weak
Those who are not strong enough will perish and fail
Our heroes have died
The symbols and icons of strength and inspiration have fallen and died
No heart
There is no more love or compassion left
No hope
There is no future or possibility of success or happiness
Face to face with the abyss (with the abyss)
Confronting the edge of danger, destruction, and failure
One by one they fall away
One after another, everything and everyone crumbles and disappears
And won't be missed
When all is said and done, the losses and absences will not even matter
Can you hear it?
Do you notice or realize what is happening?
Can you hear the sound
Are you aware of the noises and echoes of destruction and downfall?
As our broken idols
As the figures and symbols of inspiration and strength have shattered and gone
Come crashing down?
Are you witnessing the collapse and failure of the ones you used to admire and look up to?
Contributed by Amelia E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Staz
Now,
Your heroes have fallen.
Championless,
The seas are rising.
So torch every banner,
Every hope of surviving.
This storm is breaking.
Security has left you,
Treading water.
Now taste the fear.
Taste the uncertainty.
What will you do?
When there's nothing left for you to cling to.
What will you do?
With your one last breathe.
Thrive in your emptiness.
Burn all you love.
There's no hope for the weak.
Our heroes have died.
No heart...
No Hope.
Face to face,
With the Abyss (with the Abyss),
One by one they fall away
And won't be missed
Can you hear it?
Can you hear the sound?
As our broken Idols,
Come crashing down.
Now taste the fear.
Now, taste, the, fear.
Burn all you love.
There's no hope for the weak.
Our Heroes have died.
Burn all you love.
There's no hope for the weak.
Burn all you love
Jake Duncombe
2020 anyone? Still one of my favourite albums of all time 🤙🤙
Pro Zoomy
Me too 👍
that1guyfromTexas
One of my favorite songs of all time
deadwolf king
Duddeeeee I just wanna hear them play this whole album live!!!! But I don’t think that’ll ever happen:(
John Doe
This is fkkn solid
spaceAlien Rissley
Yyyyyyeeeeeaaaaaahhhh
Mike Prestinario
2022 still one of the greatest metal albums out 🤘🤘🌖🌑🌔
Dakota McDermott
Holy shit i just commented this before I saw yours lmaooo
Guitar Enthusiast
2:10 that fucking riff man, these guys have written some of the sickest riffs of this decade, probably some of the best
Derpasouras9001 X
i think you mean 0:40