Parkway’s Drive Darker Still is like a boxing match of love because it starts trying to go after you from Ground Zero and doesn’t let up. The only time you catch a breather is when the album allows you to, Parkway Drive is in control the entire time and always keeping you on your toes. It has constant surprises, little nuanced novelties and is a perfect high energy rampage to wake you up or keep you up. It lets you know every detail and ever note and create the perfect package. Parkway Drive does new things while driving home details of longer lost eras and reflects on change and evolution. Make no mistake though this is still Parkway Drive. In fairness, the album doesn’t really get going till Glitch but “Like Napalm” and “Ground Zero” are incredibly heavy openers that set the tone for this album. My most favorite part of Like Napalm is the subtle cymbal crashes that break up the intensity around the 3 minute mark and help keep you interested. They are very nuanced and not in your face at all but if you stop to listen you can hear Ben Gordon giving his all and I’d guess it’s very tricky to play sounds excellent too as I happen to love cymbals cause they add so much texture. Again the drums show the dynamics of Ben’s drumming putting it at the fore front of the track supporting the rest of the band. The Crescendoing rhythm guitar of Luke sets the tone even further. By this time Winston is really starting to up his vocals and letting everyone know who he is. LET ME THE !#&$ OUT Is so intense, pure and raw that it 100% makes Glitch.

Next we have “The Greatest Fear” in this track they all harmonize around Winston who uses his voice to create melody which puts him among the best vocalist there is. Props to Jeff as well for he is excellent throughout this piece. Also, incredible use of musical rests in this piece. The Harbinger of All Darkness is such a freaking cool and dark line. “Darker Still” is an incredible ballad, it’s a very intelligent piece that Winston commands full on, giving his all sharing with us his inner emotion and all of his being. “Darker Still” is why music heals, why music helps heal. Because you can tell when music is from the heart. This, is art and Parkway Drive are artist. It’s careful in its construction and beautiful in its execution. It is a labor of love from the band. Parkway Drive, I see you I hear you, thank you. The continuing song “Imperial Heretic” continues and builds on the strong rhythm and harmony with the lead. Winston again proves to us why he is one of the best singers in the business, intensity, passion and wisdom he brings to the table when he sings. It’s unique and very much melodic again. This is all proven in the following song “If A God Can Bleed”. Next up is Soul Bleach with more Winston taking control and powering onwards with his incredible vocals. You can tell Parkway Drive is all really good friends because they share sound with each other really well and all support each other in their musical choices and give good feedback. I’m really digging this use of poetry to break up the album and move the concept forward. Land of the Lost has a really cool riff halfway through which helps glue together the song and create good build up for the end of it. Lastly, another incredible track “From the Heart of the Darkness” sounds like something out of a movie and after the end of a long ride perks you up and says this was all worth it this band was excellent let me hit that replay button let me share them with my friends let me talk and write about them. It makes you want to turn up the volume and play it loud. It’s a statement to the quality of to the album, the record label and most importantly the band. This album has my stamp of approval. This album was an experience from top to bottom it made me feel warm and fuzzy and filled me with hope and love. It was a joyful experience a shared experience, but a dark one. Out Now!