Right before the Aussie metalcore band Parkway Drive took the stage last night at House of Blues, Journey’s “Don't Stop Believing” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” played over the speakers while everyone loudly sang along to every word. Normally, this wouldn't be important, but the fans' energy encapsulated the feel and atmosphere of the night.
When Parkway Drive finally walked on stage and opened with “Destroyer,” it was met with deafening crowd response. The confetti and streamers that shot out at the beginning of the song weren't the only things flying throughout the air as fans threw shoes, shirts, hats and bottles the entire night.
When the band played “Carrion,” the first two notes sent the crowd into a frenzy. Along with “Carrion,” songs such as “Karma” and “Idols and Anchors” showed off the band's technical abilities. The guitar work of both Jeff Ling and Luke Kilpatrick was tight and absolutely perfect all night long.
One of the standout songs was “Wild Eyes” simply for the reason that it’s so reminiscent of Iron Maiden’s “Fear of the Dark.” There's just something about it that puts Parkway Drive in the same boat as Iron Maiden, albeit the band offers a much heavier modern metal version. That’s not suggest the song is derivative; it's safe to say any metal band wouldn't be ashamed to be compared to Iron Maiden.
At the end of it all, during the final track, “Home Is for the Heartless,” the crowd was still going hard right alongside the band. No one flinched, no one took a breath, it was utter chaos all night but in the best way possible. There's not much to be said about Winston McCall's vocals throughout the set other than he was spot on and didn't miss a step. He sounded just like he does on the album.
Openers Miss May I played a technically sound show that sounded relatively good; that's about it. Nothing really stood out as noteworthy. In Hearts Wake, who also opened, fell into this same category, although they do get recognition for being an opening band that got the crowd actually moving and singing along.
Thy Art Is Murder, however, delivered the heaviest set of the night. The band was even able to do so with a couple members currently feeling ill from a stomach bug.” CJ McMahon’s vocal range was nothing short of spectacular as well. He was seamlessly able to go from guttural lows to piercing highs in an instant. It's a range that can be seen in a studio booth, but it's rare when it can be replicated on stage, and McMahon did it flawlessly.
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