Change within a band is always a gamble. A decisive move that could alienate fans whilst also bring new opportunities not previously seen before. With this in mind we look into Ire, very much living up to its name this is the band at their most angry but does it have any substance?
[tracklist]
1. Destroyer
2. Dying To Believe
3. Vice Grip
4. Crushed
5. Fractures
6. Writings On The Wall
7. Bottom Feeder
8. The Sound Of Violence
9. Vicious
10. Dedicated
11. A Deathless Song
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]49:00[/length]
[record_label]Epitaph Records[/record_label]
[release_date]September 25th 2015[/release_date]
[/details]
Disagreements are something that humans thrive on, the presentation of opinion. Beginning their awareness of the world and its current state Parkway Drive began their save the planet ethos way back in the day, bought more to the fore with previous release Atlas which by a long margin was one of their most experimental releases.
Now we come to the age of Ire, where opinion becomes divided. For those who were hoping for the Killing With A Smile revival you will find no renaissance here. However for those who might want to see exactly what the band are offering then look no further than Ire. Truly a mixed bag the record opens with strong intentions “Destroyer” puffs out its chest with hallmark Parkway Drive elements until midway through the song where the realisation hits that this is not going to be your usual musical affair.
From then on the variation continues, with single “Vice Grip” retaining the classic harmonies and positive gang vocal choruses. The song itself is mediocre, incredibly catchy but hardly technically demanding. Experimenting with different rhythm style the band opt for a more almost straightforward Metal approach on “Crushed” which after the chanting introduction brings the heavier side of Parkway Drive, not to mention yet another incredibly catchy chorus, which again is flanked by the slightly out of date rap style verse.
Commendable as it may be tracks like “Writings On The Wall” will no doubt be under fire. Yet another introduction setting the scene with orchestral arrangements until they’re stripped back and left with a very cheesy, wake up to the world, your time is now rap. And here is where the true oddity of the band lies, regardless of how simplistic the lyrics might be the track worms its way into your head. Though the album is redeemed with “Fractures” giving the classic Parkway Drive riffs a slight eastern spin and though the verse riff might recall tracks from their previous work when the woah, woah, chorus strikes it hits home hard.
In keeping with their classic Aussie roots “Bottom Feeder” ensures that the Metal element of the band remains, though the incredibly kitch lead section in the verse makes me cringe but again an absolutely brilliant chorus illustrates Parkway Drive‘s secret weapon. However on the flip side “The Sound Of Violence” brings to mind to the most non descript of Metal acts. Stripped of any of the identikit elements that brought the band so close to our hearts the song is generic in every sense of the word and yet will have you singing along! Tailing the album off with “A Deathless Song” the band step slightly back into the tones of their past whilst dipping their toes in the future with a first of clean vocals.
Ire will no doubt see the band soar to new heights. Experimentation makes for an incredibly confusing listen. Songs begin to be mismatched and out of place yet by the end of the album, you’ll be hitting play once again. Purists will be in uproar, new fans will lap it up and people like myself will be somewhere wedged in the middle. Simultaneously containing some of the bands most well written material along with some of their worst this is Marmite Metal at its best and personally I love it!
[verdict]Maybe[/verdict]
[why]This is the deciding moment where Parkway Drive will move onto bigger pastures, simultaneously winning over innumerable new fans whilst losing others. Which side will you be on?[/why]
