Review: Parkway Drive @ John Cain Arena (Melbourne)

Parkway Drive at John Cain Arena (Melbourne) on 24 September, 2024 - image © Mayhem Media
Melbourne/ Naarm-based entertainment writer, unravelling the city's cultural kaleidoscope through words. Weaving tales of creativity, events, and personalities that make Naarm shine.

On a balmy spring night, Parkway Drive returned to Melbourne for the second time in just a few days, bringing with them two decades of bone-crushing riffs, guttural screams, and anthemic melodies.

Despite having already torn through the city, the energy inside John Cain Arena (24 September) was far from diminished. From the moment the red lights scanned across the crowd, it was clear something monumental was about to happen, again.

Parkway Drive are no longer just a Byron Bay hardcore outfit – they are a behemoth, a metalcore colossus who have ascended from local heroes to international legends.

Last night was the culmination of a 20-year journey, a celebration of sweat, grit, and the refusal to bow to trends. With this, their first headlining tour since 2018, they reminded us all why they sit atop Australia's heavy music throne.

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Image © Mayhem Media

Frontman Winston McCall's entrance was nothing short of cinematic. Draped in a striking white ensemble, he descended from the arena stairs, cutting through the throng of fans like a prophet among disciples. As a stark white light followed his every step, the tension became palpable as the air felt electric.

The eruption came with 'Carrion' from the 'Horizons' album – an instant throwback to their early days, a song that stands as a turning point for the band's ascent into the metal mainstream.

It was a nostalgia-laden moment, yet fresh, as though the years had not dulled the jagged edge of their sound. The crowd erupted into a frenzy, moshpits swirling like vortexes of human intensity.

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Image © Mayhem Media

Parkway didn't slow down, diving headfirst into 'Prey' from 'Reverence', their sixth album, showcasing their growth towards a more melodic, accessible sound without losing the crushing weight of their earlier work. The crowd clapped in unison, a tight-knit army of Parkway loyalists.

Then came the sensory overload: A runway descended from the ceiling, connecting the stages, as explosions detonated behind the curtain. They ripped into 'Glitch' and 'Sleepwalker' with all the ferocity one could hope for, the sound shaking the rafters and figuratively tearing the roof off the arena.

Special guest Michael Crafter from I Killed the Prom Queen joined them for 'Boneyards', sending the crowd into absolute mayhem – classic Parkway, built on the blood and sweat of Australian hardcore.

There was something almost ritualistic about the performance. People cloaked in black circled the stage, and as a single beam of white light highlighted McCall, the atmosphere felt oddly spiritual—cult-like, yet thrilling.

As they launched into the trio of 'Cemetery Bloom', 'The Void', and 'Wishing Wells' from 'Reverence', flames and fireworks ignited the spectacle. Jeff Ling's guitar work on 'The Void' stood out, each note cutting through the chaos with precision, his fretwork like a blade slicing through the dark.

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Image © Mayhem Media

Rain fell as they played 'Wishing Wells', McCall drenched, bathed in water as if performing some cathartic ritual – a moment so insane it could only be described as a show. This was metalcore theatrics at its finest.

Parkway Drive took the crowd on a sonic journey through their back catalogue with a medley of deep cuts like 'Gimme A D', 'Mutiny', and 'Romance Is Dead'. Fire erupted during 'Dedicated' from 'Ire', leaving the crowd gagging at the sheer intensity. The heat from the pyrotechnics felt like the arena itself was burning down, amplifying the raw energy to its zenith.

McCall reappeared in the crowd for 'Idols And Anchors', surrounded by hundreds of hands reaching out to him – a sea of devotion, as he surfed back to the stage, looking like a cult leader delivering his gospel.

Three string players descended from the ceiling to accompany 'Chronos' – a cinematic, euphoric moment that sent chills down spines. 'Darker Still' followed, a track dedicated to McCall's wife, with the arena illuminated by the glow of flashlights like stars scattered across the sky. Emotions ran high, Ling's solo piercing through the quiet like a stunning exhale.

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Image © Mayhem Media

However, Parkway Drive wasn't done. The encore was a firestorm, literally. As they closed with 'Crushed', flames engulfed the stage, Ben Gordon's drum solo taking place in a spinning cage, a spectacle of raw power and control.

They ended the night united, as one final collective breath was held for 'Wild Eyes' from 'Atlas'. The entire arena, packed with fans from all walks of life, stood together singing their hearts out.

This was not just a concert – it was an experience. Two decades on, Parkway Drive remain unstoppable, still pushing the boundaries of what metalcore can be. This was a reminder to all: The kings have returned.

More photos from the concert.

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