When you’ve dominated the heavy music landscape in your homeland and taken significant strides abroad, what’s the best way to mark 20 years? For the Australian metal titans, Parkway Drive, the answer is an anniversary tour, a vinyl reissue, and, as always, an authentic touch of ferocity.
โ20 years is a milestone in any career. This is who we are โ The Monsters Of Oz. Come celebrate with us and burn it all away.โ -Winston McCall, vocalist, Parkway Drive.
Two Decades, One Essence
Founded two decades ago, the sheer prowess of Parkway Drive โ consisting of Winston McCall, Luke Kilpatrick, Jeff Ling, Jia O’Connor, and Ben Gordon โ has seen them evolve from coastal teenagers in Byron Bay to metal juggernauts that have resonated with fans globally. Their journey, as McCall reflects, has been nothing short of “insane.”
This Fall, North America is set for a sonic treat. As they embark on their 2023 headline tour, Parkway Drive isn’t coming alone. Labeled the “Monsters of Oz” tour, this expedition features an all-Australian lineup with The Amity Affliction providing direct support and Northlane and Make Them Suffer completing the bill.
And if you thought that was the pinnacle, Parkway Drive’s promise of their full production setup, replete with a flaming drum cage and pyrotechnics, marks its first appearance in North America. It’s not merely a concert; it’s a spectacle.
A Nostalgic Revisit
Today, a piece of their inception resurfaces. “Don’t Close Your Eyes“, their debut from 2004, finds its way back into the limelight. Available on vinyl for the very first time, this isn’t just a reissue but an expanded auditory journey. Apart from its original eight tracks, this version includes bonus additions from their split with I Killed The Prom Queen and compilation albums, providing a comprehensive peek into their formative years.
Their most recent offering, the seventh album titled “Darker Still“, released via Epitaph Records, has garnered attention from heavyweight publications like Forbes, Revolver, and Kerrang!, to name a few. But despite accolades and achievements, McCall’s words stand as a testament to their rooted ethos. They represent not just themselves but their homeland, their journey, and an undying passion that has blazed for twenty years.
As the “Monsters of Oz” roll into city after city, from Alton, VA to Sacramento, CA, it’s clear that Parkway Drive isn’t just revisiting their legacy, but they’re continuing to write it. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a curious onlooker, this tour is set to be an experience, a celebration, and above all, a tribute to two decades of uncompromising metal.
โNo compromise, no surrender. This is who we are.โ – Winston McCall.
Catch the band live at the following stops:
9/9 โ Alton, VA โ Blue Ridge Rock Festival
9/10 โ Atlanta, GA โ Coca Cola Roxy
9/12 โ Pittsburgh, PA โ Stage AE Outdoors
9/13 โ Detroit, MI โ Masonic
9/15 โ Worcester, MA โ Palladium Outdoors
9/17 โ New York, NY โ Hammerstein Ballroom
9/19 โ Montreal, QC โ Place Bell
9/20 โ Toronto, ON โ RBC Echo Beach
9/22 โ Cleveland, OH โ Jacobs Pavilion
9/23 โ Louisville, KY โ Louder Than Life Festival*
9/24 โ Chicago, IL โ Radius
9/26 โ St. Paul, MN โ Myth Live
9/27 โ Oshkosh, WI โ Oshkosh Arena
9/29 โ Denver, CO โ Mission Ballroom
9/30 โ Albuquerque, NM โ The Revel
10/1 โ Mesa, AZ โ Mesa Amphitheater
10/3 โ Salt Lake City, UT โ Complex
10/5 โ Las Vegas, NV โ The Theater at Virgin Hotels
10/6 โ Irvine, CA โ FivePoint Amphitheatre
10/7 โ Sacramento, CA โ Aftershock*
*Festival Dates
Throwback
During a 2004 performance, Parkway Drive electrified their early fans, showcasing songs from their ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ EP This rare footage, with commendable quality, captures a young Jai ‘Pie’ O’Connor rocking in the mosh pit, years before he would take up the role of bassist for the band.
