Live Review: Parkway Drive, I Killed The Prom Queen & Northlane

17 December 2012 | 2:00 pm | Brendan Crabb

Parkway Drive have transcended such tags to become one of the country’s biggest bands, regardless of genre. Deservedly so, too.

More Parkway Drive More Parkway Drive

It's good to be home,” Northlane frontman Adrian Fitipaldes gushed. Oscar winners have thanked fewer people, but the rabid response throughout their brief 25-minute foray indicated their return was overdue. The muddy sound was a downer, as was the vocalist's inconsistent delivery, but the Sydneysiders' technically-proficient metal/hardcore is notches above most of their peers and their considerable presence ensured they weren't lost on a larger stage. Since releasing debut Discoveries, there has been an inescapable buzz surrounding them. After this and upcoming Soundwave appearances, said whispers should be a roar.

The previous occasion this reviewer caught I Killed The Prom Queen more than a half-decade ago at a 'traditional' metal show, they were afforded the most hostile reception of any support in recent memory. Here, they were definitely among friends. New frontman Jamie Hope (ex-The Red Shore) in tow, the reactivated Adelaide crew opened with Say Goodbye's widespread singalong, leaning heavily on last record Music For The Recently Deceased. Hysteria aside, they remain energetic, albeit stock-standard metalcore, but try telling that to the punters swept up in a hail of breakdowns and blood. Given their importance to the headliners' early development, it was admirable they repaid the favour.

For all the ballyhoo about enhanced, grandiose production being utilised on this tour, a slick, expansive light show and projector screen was about the extent of it. Not that Parkway Drive required these bells and whistles; such was their unwavering connection with their dedicated audience. Circle pits were warming up before Byron Bay's finest even hit the stage to the monumental response and even larger beatdowns of Old Ghost/New Regrets. More karate kicks than a Ralph Macchio montage were unleashed during numerous favourites; Sleepwalker, Boneyards, Romance Is Dead, Deliver Me and closer Carrion. The players were taut and possessing seemingly limitless enthusiasm; likeable vocalist Winston McCall's an old hand at commanding large crowds, even though he's still seeming in awe of the packed venue.

Sweat-soaked hardcore kids in mosh shorts, grizzled death metallers, screaming teenage girls; heavy music segregation be damned, because for 75 minutes they essentially united as one. As 2013 nears, the metalcore creative tank's fuel light has been blinking for some time. Even though latest disc Atlas bucked this trend, if it wasn't apparent before it was further reinforced here – Parkway Drive have transcended such tags to become one of the country's biggest bands, regardless of genre. Deservedly so, too.  

Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter