Byron Bay, Australia; situated on the far north coast of New South Wales, it's arguably one of this planet's most idyllic tourist destinations. A tranquil paradise of immaculate sandy beaches and lush tropical rainforest, it's full of surf retreats, hippie communes and backpacker hostels. Perhaps the most notable thing to come out of the place prior to 2003 were surfing champs and picturesque postcards, but all that changed with the spawning of PARKWAY DRIVE.rnrnBlasting out of Byron, almost as an affront to the serenity of their surrounds, PARKWAY DRIVE quickly established themselves as the most formidable force Australian heavy hardcore had ever seen. A five- piece of astonishing power and understated charisma, PARKWAY DRIVE created unseen hysteria with their brutal 2005 full-length debut, Killing With A Smile. Released by Sydney independent hardcore label Resist Records, the album spent time in the ARIA National Top 40, affirming the astounding popularity of a band who had grown their fanbase from genuine hardcore roots. Indeed, PARKWAY DRIVE's success might seem like some kind of amazing dream, if it weren't for the all the hard work and sacrifice that has gone into making it happen.rnrnRelentless touring has been one of the keys to PARKWAY DRIVE's success. Sold-out national headlining runs, stealing the thunder of overseas bands they were meant to be supporting, Big Day Out and Homebake appearances and the 2006 Taste Of Chaos Tour has been their reality. Recently, too, PARKWAY have begun to leave their indelible mark on the world stage. Having signed an enviable overseas deal with indie giant Epitaph, they have spent a large part of the past year abroad, crisscrossing North America, Europe and Japan, a 31-date stint on the 2007 Vans Warped Tour being just one of the many highlights. The world, it seems, is catching onto what we in Australia have known for a while.rnrnOn October 6th, Parkway Drive will unleash their standout sophomore effort, "Horizons." Recorded once again by "Killing With A Smile" producer and Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz (As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Unearth, Killswitch Engage) at Zing Studios in Boston, MA, Horizons takes the PARKWAY DRIVE sound to totally new extremes. A bone-crunching avalanche of classic hardcore, Swedish death and math-metal, it's destined to be one of the biggest circle- pit-inducing albums of '07.rnrnThe songs, the sounds, the speed, the heaviness and the production has all been stepped up, says PARKWAY vocalist Winston McCall proudly. Working with Adam D again made our job super easy as well as highly enjoyable. I think the end result is by far the best record we've made, but I guess that's always for others to judge.rnrnThe quiet confidence and lack of arrogance expressed by McCall is what lies at the heart of PARKWAY DRIVE's massive appeal. They have this ability to destroy an audience, to decimate a venue with complete and utter malice, yet at the same time show everyone in the place the time of their lives. This is the kind of relaxed, non- nonsense attitude you get growing up in Byron. PARKWAY are just five ordinary dudes who came together to create one extraordinary band.
