Parkway Drive - Don't Close Your Eyes (2004)Release ID: 5366
Australian metalcore band Parkway Drive started their career with two split EPs; one with I Killed the Prom Queen, and the other with bands Think Straight and Shoot to Kill. After reviewing the latter release, I've realized that I still haven't done the same with their first non-split EP, Don't Close Your Eyes. Considering what a heavy brutal EP this is, having paved the band's way to their first two full albums, I knew I had to share my thoughts about like I had with every other release by the band...
Parkway Drive was formed in Byron Bay and named after the street they lived in, aspiring to connect hardcore and metal together like any other metalcore band. I guess you can say the rest is history, but again I promised myself to talk about this piece of history and what I think of it.
The intro track "..." is certainly a frightening intro in the atmosphere. Asuka from The End of Evangelion repeatedly whispers "I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die..." with voices creeping up behind her, leading up to a final scream, "I DON'T WANNA DIE!!!" Then enters "Smoke 'Em If Ya Got 'Em", in which vocalist Winston McCall yells "DIE! DIE!! DIE!!!" almost like he segued flawlessly from that intro. This fan favorite was re-recorded for their debut album Killing with a Smile. It sums up everything the band has; crushing riffs, heavy breakdowns, melodic leads, technical drums, and emotional intensity, the latter especially in the ending lead and riff. Next track "Dead Dreams" starts with the message tone beep of an old Nokia phone then launches into relentless heaviness, though it can't beat the previous track. The usual catchy breakdown comes in with Winston's vocals, though the lyrics of drugs and loathing seem to be unfocused. "Flesh, Bone and Weakness" can very be my favorite song in the EP. Haunting bass kicks in followed by the drums. The growls and harmonic singing (the latter by then-bassist Brett "Lagg" Versteeg) work well for a melodic spice-up that might remind some of Evergreen Terrace. Awesomeness continues to be found in the catchy yet heavy breakdown, along with more of the audible bass riffing.
After all that chaos, the relaxing guitar interlude "The Cruise" can be played at the beach. "You're Over" is another one of the best songs of the EP and the band's early career. The sound is filled with different layers that end with another deep pulverizing breakdown. Now, "Looks Like Yoda"... The metalcore Force is strong in this one. Played live, it can be. So heavy, breakdowns are, but melodic, guitars are. Hmmm... Fast, the drums pound, and brutal, the vocals sound. OK, enough with the Yoda talk! I must admit, the song is a bit repetitive, but it's still great. The title track ends with another metal track memorable until the end of time. Lots of fast extreme bass and drums to fill things up.
The 2006 reissue comes with some bonus tracks, the first two of which are from the band's split EP with IKtPQ, starting with "I Watched" that is a must-listen. Though not as much as "Swallowing Razorblades". With some of the most brutal riffing from the band and more of Winston and Lagg's vocal contrast, it would be hard for Parkway Drive to make an awesome song like that again. You already know what I think of the What We've Built songs, so I'll say no more there. One more track, "Hopeless" is also very solid.
So yeah, "Don't Close Your Eyes" is pretty great for a true start of the band's catalog. With its powerful energy, it's no wonder the release has reached the Aussie album charts. If you enjoy heavy metalcore, you should definitely check out Parkway Drive, starting from this killer EP and working your way through the rest....
Favorites: "Smoke 'Em If Ya Got 'Em", "Flesh, Bone and Weakness", "You're Over", "Don't Close Your Eyes", "Swallowing Razorblades", "Hollow Man", "Hopeless"
