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)
Pressures
Parkway Drive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yet I feel desire's cold grip upon my heart no more
My solitude
My shield
My armour
My solitude
My armour
Tested with full force
I have seen the face of death
And I, I choose not to accept its form
I have seen the face of death
An army of demons summoned forth
Upon this endless night they swam
The fire in their eyes
Like new Suns shine through the abyss
I taste the fear
I see the weakness in their eyes
They cannot hide as I devour all
As the mountains crack and the oceans boil, a fury-tempered heart is forged
Within the flames, this current of corruption will cease
As the mountains crack and the oceans boil, a fury-tempered heart is forged
Within the flames, this current of corruption will cease
I taste the fear
I see the weakness in their eyes
They cannot hide as I devour all
An army of demons summoned forth
Upon this endless night they swarm
The fire in their eyes
Like new Suns shine trough the abyss
I have seen
I have seen the face of death
I have seen the face of death
And I choose not to accept its form
My solitude
My shield
My armour
My solitude
My shield
My armour
Tested with full force
Their voices search for me through the darkness
Yet I feel desire's cold grip upon my heart no more
The Parkway Drive’s song “Pressures” is a powerful reflection on the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The lyrics delve into the concept of solitude and how being alone can provide protection and even empowerment. The singer declares that he has seen death, but he will not be overtaken by the fear of it. Instead, he faces the army of demons that have been summoned and devours them all.
Through the repetition of the phrases “My solitude, my shield, my armor” and “I have seen the face of death and I choose not to accept its form,” the singer is reinforcing his resolve to stay strong and face any challenges that come his way. He is not afraid to be alone; in fact, he relies on it as he sees it as a form of protection against the world that is full of chaos and destruction.
The imagery used in the lyrics is vivid and striking, creating a sense of intensity and urgency. The mountains crack and the oceans boil, but the fury-tempered heart is forged. The fire in the demon’s eyes shines like new suns, but the singer is not afraid. He devours all, and through his actions, he demonstrates that he is a force to be reckoned with.
Overall, “Pressures” is a powerful message of strength and resilience. Rather than cowering in fear, the singer is steadfast in his resolve to face whatever challenges come his way.
Line by Line Meaning
Their voices search for me through the darkness
I am being pursued by my fears and insecurities
Yet I feel desire's cold grip upon my heart no more
I am no longer held back by my own wants and needs
My solitude
Being alone provides me with peace and safety
My shield
I use my strength to protect myself from outside forces
My armour
I have built up a defense against harm and negativity
Tested with full force
My defenses have been challenged and put to the test
I have seen the face of death
I have confronted mortality and my own mortality
And I, I choose not to accept its form
I refuse to accept death and instead choose to live my life fully
An army of demons summoned forth
My inner demons and negative thoughts have surfaced
Upon this endless night they swam
During this dark time, my inner turmoil has become overwhelming
The fire in their eyes
My demons are fueled by my own anger and rage
Like new Suns shine through the abyss
My negative thoughts and emotions are blinding and all-consuming
I taste the fear
I am experiencing intense fear and anxiety
I see the weakness in their eyes
I recognize the flaws in my own thinking and behavior
They cannot hide as I devour all
I am confronting my inner demons and overcoming them
As the mountains crack and the oceans boil, a fury-tempered heart is forged
Through intense hardship and struggle, I am becoming stronger
Within the flames, this current of corruption will cease
My negative thoughts and emotions will no longer control me
Their voices search for me through the darkness
My insecurities and fears continue to haunt me
Yet I feel desire's cold grip upon my heart no more
I am no longer held back by my own wants and needs
Contributed by Max A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@qualcunoesuasorella
So, they played a 1:40 song, then they played it again but reversed the order of the riffs and played that sick guitar solo backwards...
This is just above perfection
@PeachwiseSyndrome
Good mindfuck
@xlukatsx
best album
@Fall2YourKneez
Fuck how have I never noticed this !
@advaitpetiwale9596
for real... damn..
@charlesanderson6959
Holy Fuck
@johnstewart6236
I love Parkway Drive! And it seems I'm not alone because for a crazy Metalcore band like themselves every full album I've seen on YouTube has 1 million views or more!
@rocketscientist14
🤘 their the real fucking deal man.
@spencerbarnett8991
I have specific memories of listening to this song when I was a kid while camping with my parents and it was when I realized I knew I'd play guitar forever
@zubairifarihan2721
Let us all admit, we miss this era of Parkway