Darker Still

Album review

In their (almost) twenty years of existence, this Australian band has managed to make a name for themselves thanks to their massive riffs and authentic metalcore sound (though perhaps at the risk of sometimes sounding repetitive and monotonous). The first signs of the band’s evolution towards a more melodic style can be found on Ire, released in 2015, and on their stadium-cut follow-up Reverence (2018). Darker Still may be the sum of both these previous albums as well as their natural extension - a gateway to a sound that’s more accessible to a wider audience. One thing is clear though: the Parkway Drive of the early days is long gone and that explosive, ultra-saturated sound is no more. On this record, the band flirts with heavy metal like never before, and the clever production has succeeded in creating a much more contemporary feel. Guitarists Jeff Ling and Luke Kilpatrick work their magic on tracks like ’Like Napalm’ and ’The Greatest Fear’, perfect for anyone who loves listening to quick fingers speeding along a guitar neck.

There are a few winks to a bygone era on ’Soul Bleach’ (a real belter of a track that deserved to be accompanied by one or two compositions of the same ilk), and neo-metal accents on the single ’Glitch’. The pivotal point of this album, however, is undeniably ’Darker Still’ - a dark ballade that unhurriedly tells its story across nearly seven minutes, gradually building up the tension before culminating with an explosive climax. You could argue this track is Parkway Drive’s ‘Nothing Else Matters’, and is set to become a real staple in their discography. Their artistic decision to experiment with new sounds and styles might alienate the Australian band’s historical fan base, but it will certainly win them new followers. © Chief Brody/Qobuz