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)
Samsara
Parkway Drive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
War is peace
Ignorance is strength
Existence is suffering
Existence is suffering
Existence is suffering
Suffering
Suffering
The lyrics to Parkway Drive's song "Samsara" are profound and thought-provoking. The lines "Freedom is slavery, War is peace, Ignorance is strength" come from George Orwell's book "1984" and serve as a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism. The idea is that those in power can convince the masses that the opposite of what they are experiencing is true. For example, in a world where freedom is actually slavery, those who are enslaved might believe they are free because they have been taught this is true. This causes the masses to accept their suffering and oppression as the normal order of things.
The next line "Existence is suffering" is derived from Buddhist philosophy. It posits that the root of all suffering is the attachment to desires and material possessions. It means that we can never be truly happy or satisfied because we are always wanting more. This is in contrast to the capitalist view that if we accumulate more wealth and possessions, we will be happier. As the song repeats the line "Existence is suffering," it emphasizes the futility of trying to escape suffering as it is an inherent part of the human experience.
"Samara" is a Hindu and Buddhist concept that refers to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The song seems to ask whether it's possible to break out of this cycle and achieve enlightenment, or if we are doomed to keep repeating our mistakes. The chorus emphasizes that we cannot escape from suffering and that we must learn to live with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Freedom is slavery
The illusion of freedom creates a society where individuals become enslaved by their own desires and egos, and ultimately become servants to an oppressive system.
War is peace
The perpetual state of war keeps the masses focused on external threats, distracted from internal problems, and willing to compromise their own freedom for the illusion of security.
Ignorance is strength
A society that values ignorance over knowledge ensures that those in power can maintain control over the population because they are less likely to question the status quo or pursue their own interests.
Existence is suffering
Life inherently includes hardships, pain, and struggles, and these experiences are an inevitable and integral part of the human condition.
Existence is suffering
The nature of existence is such that all beings are subject to physical, emotional, and spiritual pain and suffering.
Existence is suffering
The futility of trying to escape the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Samsara means that suffering is a constant companion to all who live.
Suffering
The reality of pain and hardship is an inescapable aspect of life that must be confronted and experienced in order to find meaning and purpose in existence.
Suffering
The pain and struggles we experience in life are an opportunity for growth, learning, and developing resilience and compassion.
Suffering
The recognition and understanding of the universality of suffering can help individuals find common ground and connection with others, and allow for collective healing and transformation.
Contributed by Mackenzie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrCharlie066
10 year anniversary of Deep Blue, going through the album again. How good is this.
@ShapeShifterPB
One of the best albums of all time
@bvanquish777
Like the First Time.
@HisPeopleRestored
Still my favorite intro of all time
@alexanderfullerton6184
This band is incredibly aware and conscious, Samsara is the Buddhist cycle of life and death, and another belief of Buddhism is that there is suffering in the world and in life. "Existence is Suffering!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Many of their other songs hold philosophical meanings behind them also.
@SaadRKhan
So? Most metalcore/hard rock bands use strong philosophy in their music, that's how this genre sells.
@ArtSnob101
Very cool
@bvanquish777
Karma.
@chloepoole3915
@@SaadRKhanso to your comment mate ... hope you have moved on from this stale mindset
@SaadRKhan
@@chloepoole3915 yeah it's been 3 years, I realized how corny that sounded lmao, still think think the band is mediocre but yes I possess a better mindset now I think