Parkway Drive - Killing With a Smile (2005)Release ID: 5367
Formed in Byron Bay, Parkway Drive began their metalcore journey with two EPs, a split CD with I Killed the Prom Queen and their own EP, Don't Close Your Eyes. After those two EPs, they were all set to record their first full-length and, thanks to Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage) in production, it really started their path to fame. Killing With a Smile gave them a huge ongoing fanbase and established the band to be one of the greatest metalcore acts outside America. But why is it so good?
Killing With a Smile was released in 2005, right before deathcore exploded into the face of metalcore shortly afterwards. Surprisingly, most of the members were never really influenced by metal at that time. For a band like that, they can remarkably understand metalcore and do their best to match it.
The opening track "Gimme A D" hits you hard with their prevalent attitude of wrath. It has all that listeners can be ready for; fast riffing, solid drumming, fantastic screaming, and heavy breakdowns. They have it all! "Anasasis (Xenophontis)" merges inventive riffing with brutal vocals. In the breakdowns, crushing guitars and vicious vocals make sure to maintain the melody in front, a common trait. "Pandora" is another high-quality metalcore song, but they wouldn't hit their stride until the next track. "Romance is Dead" is a 5-minute fan-favorite and a fine Parkway Drive moment. It's a true metalcore gem in every quality a metalcore song can possibly have plus the band's unique furious sound and attitude.
Momentum is gathered to attack the listener with "Guns for Show, Knives for a Pro", referencing a quote from the film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and sneaking in a quote in the first 10 seconds from another film Die Hard 2, "Yippee-ki-yay, motherf***er." That song is short but a heavy hitter. And when the song stops abruptly, you think it's over, but BOOM!! One more brutal breakdown hits you in the face! Taking things further than in their EPs, "Blackout" sounds closer to deathcore. "Picture Perfect, Pathetic" sounds a bit pathetic at first when reusing riffs from other metalcore bands, but the extreme heavy breakdown is wicked! "It’s Hard To Speak Without A Tongue" is a standout track beginning with a simple clean guitar riff before drilling drums and thunderous bass come in followed and impressive solo-like melody. The melody fades into a quieter riff to fit it with the growling. That melody is used again the chorus section. An unusually well-balanced song for Parkway Drive!
"Mutiny" begins with another film quote sample, this time from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, "The deepest circle of Hell is reserved for betrayers and mutineers." It's a good song with great songwriting and riffing. Another fan favorite "Smoke 'Em If Ya Got 'Em" was re-recorded from the Don't Close Your Eyes EP, now with better production and more intense sound. Once again, 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. "A Cold Day In Hell" (not to be confused with the Winds of Plague demo EP) has a catchy lead/riff.
The technical drumming and solid vocals fully showcased are what Parkway Drive is known for, whereas the breakdowns and rough lyrics might not be at its best for most people. But with the album's overall hard energy, every metalhead should give it a listen. A killer metalcore starter pack!
Favorites: "Gimme A D", "Romance is Dead", "Guns for Show, Knives for a Pro", "It’s Hard To Speak Without A Tongue", "Mutiny", "Smoke 'Em If Ya Got 'Em"
