Parkway Drive - "Ire"

[lightsout]

I know not everybody here is in to metal or metalcore or whatever you want to call it. Parkway Drive has been one of my favorite musical artists period, in any genre, since I discovered them. From lyrical content, to composition, their live performances, just everything. Phenomenal band. Their new album is yet to release, but they've released two singles from it already and hooooooooooly crap is it crazy. It's heavy, but it's so different from their previous work.

They started doing a cover of Bulls on Parade by Rage Against the Machine over the past year, and were asked why they were covering it. Basically, the band really respects RATM. They love their music, and had fun riffing their songs at practices, so they decided to do it live. Well...you can really hear the influence in this new album. Particularly, the newest of the two songs released from Ire.

To be honest, I wasn't crazy about it on first listen. I listened to it through my phone's speakers and it was just OK. Felt kind of flat. However, my car has amazing speakers, so I played it through youtube in my car....and it makes a difference. So listen to this in the best environment for music that you have. It is intense.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m4685liWb0So

[Arroz con Panther]

Yea, I don't know, man...I didn't really enjoy it, but maybe it will grow on me.  I wasn't a big fan of the "talking" verses.  Maybe I thought the lyrics were cheesy or the lack of guitar during those parts threw me off.  It's something new that they're doing so maybe my opinion will change after I listen to it again.  I did like the other parts though especially when he got his low screams in there.  I'm still excited for the album and I'll agree that they're amazing live.

[Omega Atrocity]

I like Parkway Drive a good bit, not too high on this song, but good overall.

[Arroz con Panther]

Album's out as of today.  Listening on Spotify now.  Only one song in, but the guitar reminds me of the 80s.  Not too high on it just yet.

[MadHatter]

Not a fan of this.

I am a big fan of metal.  But, I am more into the classic metal of Iron Maiden, Metallica, Motörhead, and Judas Priest.

[lightsout]

Album's out as of today.  Listening on Spotify now.  Only one song in, but the guitar reminds me of the 80s.  Not too high on it just yet.

So I work 12 hour shifts. Listened to the album 3 times tonight (or last night...or this morning....or whatever). The first half of the album is absolutely golden to me. Vice Grip being the weakest song on the front half of the album, and it's still a pretty good song. Fractures has grown on me the most out of the front grouping of songs. Love it. Also, Dying to Believe surprised me.

Middle of the album weakens significantly in comparison. Writings on the Wall is the worst song on the album. First time I heard it, I was so confused. It just..idk. Seemed horrible. On 2nd and 3rd listen, I appreciate it (the gradual build in the song is nice, and the surprise orchestra towards the end shocked me). However, still the weakest song on the album. Bottom Feeder is a nice heavy song. Still, not musically as solid as the front half of the album, but it is a good groove track that I appreciate on any metal album. Also, Bottom Feeder sounds like it could be pasted into the Deep Blue album and fit well, which is by no means a bad thing.

The Sound of Violence is slightly above Bottom Feeder, but it seems a bit bland in comparison to everything else on the album. Vicious picks up the pace and delivers like a Parkway song to me.

Then you have the final two tracks that may be the best combined part of the whole album. Dedicated is a strong song, and it seems like A Deathless Song is just a continuation of it. Like those two songs back to back.

Overall, this album will have to grown on me much like Atlas did. Not necessarily a bad thing, as Atlas is probably my favorite Parkway Drive album. That's the thing with this band though. The songs grow on you with time. I hate getting into bands and just not liking songs all together, ever. Parkway songs at least grow on me over time if I don't immediately like them.

[Omega Atrocity]

Ire is pretty decent. I'm a bigger fan of Atlus but it is a solid album.

[lightsout]

I keep listening to it, just to see what songs I can get ingrained in my brain.

So far, Dying to Believe and Bottom Feeder are the two tracks that have me flatout hooked. Still love Crushed though. Writings on the Wall bothers me a little less, but it still feels weird on this album. Like they just REALLY wanted that song on the album no matter what, so they just threw it in the middle.

[CarolinaXblue]

Had some friends tour with them. Solid dudes, solid band. Haven't heard this record yet.