CD Reviews

Reverence by Parkway Drive

Published

7 years ago

May 15, 2018

Reverence by Parkway Drive

By JJ Ulizio

This sixth effort from Parkway Drive shows trends that that started back on the album Atlas and followed through to Ire continue here. Typically lumped in as another metalcore band the Byron Bay, Australia natives continue to push the bounds of what is at their metalcore roots experimenting and pushing beyond what is typically considered metalcore trying to form a sound all their own. Post Metalcore? Progressive Metalcore? Are those considered things yet? This is what I would imagine that those would sound like if they aren’t yet. If those are false, the one thing that definitely holds true is that this sounds like Parkway Drive and no one else.

Guitar harmonies, groove based riffs, even a violin, show that this band is doing what they can to try and shake any label you can put on them other than heavy. More than the straight forward metal core that they were known for early on, this album continues to crunch as they have in the past but with blistering almost arena rock/hair metal style leads. The groove based riffs help to offset some of the break downs on the album and lend them self to a choppy lyrical approach at parts that they touched upon on their previous album which they’ve seemed to lean into a bit more on this album.

Vocalist Winston McCall comes across as pissed as ever in the more aggressive efforts on the album, which is a rightful reputation that he has earned for himself, but he also has a few tracks on the more mellow side of things. Well, mellow as far as they are concerned, he has clean vocals where there is some singing, maybe singing isn’t the right term, more like spoken word parts in which he definitely sounds moody and emotion filled , at times it seamlessly follows the melody of the guitars and music he is speaking over.

I am a sucker for grooves and blistering guitar leads. So it didn’t take much for this album to win me over. It may alienate some fans of their earlier works and their more straightforward metalcore stuff, but I am not one of those fans. I definitely recommend this album if you want something loud, heavy, and incredibly catchy. My standout tracks are available below. Album Available Now!

About Author

JJ Ulizio

JJ has been a contributing writer and huge asset to Empire and Empire Extreme since the very begining. He is always digging for new bands and has a true heart and desire to see the bands grow and succeed.

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Related Topics:album reviews cd reviews Empire Extreme Metal metalcore Parkway Drive reviews revrence

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CD Reviews

Marilyn Manson is Back

Published

1 month ago

November 25, 2024

Ron

Marilyn Manson just released his 12th album “One Assassination Under God-Chapter 1” on November 22nd 2024.

This album in my opinion is the best album Manson has put out since Holy Wood. It has a feeling of albums old and new with little hints of Antichrist Superstar, Mechanical Animals and Holy Wood.

The album opens up with “One Assassination Under God” which just gets you ready for what’s to come. With Manson Just finishing his tour, This is the Manson we have been needing for years now. He looks good and sounds great.

Putting out a few singles from the album , the overall feeling of this album is great. It’s been a while since I’ve like a full album of Manson, while this album isn’t perfect it’s as close as perfection of those early albums were. Of course I love the singles “As Sick as the Secrets we Keep” and “Raise the Red Flag” but I also really enjoyed songs like “Death is not a costume”, “Nod if you understand” and “Sacrilegious”

I think this new chapter of Mansons life and music is exciting , I hope we get more tours in 2025 and maybe some over the top stage shows like we did in the late 90s early 2000s. I feel the younger generation hasn’t experience a real “Full” on Manson show yet and it’s time for the King to take back his throne at the top of the Shock Rock mountain.

ALL HAIL MARILYN MANSON

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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CD Reviews

BUSH 30th ANNIVERSARY OF “SIXTEEN STONE” VINYL

Published

1 month ago

November 20, 2024

Ron

I remember when this album came out in 1994 . I was 15 and really discovering all types of music. As being a typical teenage boy I seen the band name “Bush” and thought hmm I love bush, let’s check it out. It was such an amazing album from beginning to end.

The new released vinyl that just came out on November 17th is such a testament to this album being as great then as it is now. Listening to the vinyl just brought back so many memories of being an angst teenager that just wanted to heard. The vinyl package is amazing with lots of photos of the band throughout the years and the sound of the vinyl is so pristine.

I got my hands on the opaque red vinyl and just looks awesome spinning on the player. It’s crazy to think that this album has so many hits and no filler songs, even the songs that didn’t become hits are just as good as the hits.

With the hits being “Glycerine”, “Everything Zen” , “Comedown” “Little Things” and “Machinehead” but some of my favorite songs are not the hits songs like “Swim”, “Bomb” and “Alien” which is probably my favorite song on the album. If you’re a fan of Bush or this album or just want to dive into the mid 90s Grunge/Post Grunge era this is a key album to have in your collection.

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Ron

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CD Reviews

ALICE IN CHAINS “BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE” VINYL REVIEW

Published

3 months ago

October 3, 2024

Ron

Alice In Chains have Re-Released the 2009 album on vinyl. This album was the first Alice In Chains in 14 years and the first album with guitarist/singer Willam DuVall after Layne Staley passed away in 2002.

I was a huge Alice In Chains fan and was a big fan of both Layne and Jerry. When this album first came out I remember sorta pushing it the side only cause of sadness about Layne but after hearing “Check My Brain” I gave it a chance and was so glad that I did. This album is amazing and really put Alice In Chains back into the mainstream.

The vinyl not only looks super awesome but sounds amazing. If you’re a fan of Alice In Chains and into collecting Vinyl, this album is a must in your collection. It’s a great packed vinyl with 2 vinyls included.

Side A: All Secrets Known, Check My Brain and Last of My Kind. Side B: Your Decision, A Looking in View. Side C: When The Sun Rose Again, Acid Bubble, Lesson Learned. Side D: Take Her Out, Private Hell, Black Gives Away To Blue