Darker Still

Darker Still
Studio album by
Parkway Drive
Released9 September 2022 (2022-09-09)
Genre
Length46:30
Label
ProducerGeorge Hadji-Christou
Parkway Drive chronology
Reverence
(2018) 		Darker Still
(2022)
Singles from Darker Still
  1. "Glitch"
    Released: 7 June 2022
  2. "The Greatest Fear"
    Released: 6 July 2022
  3. "Darker Still"
    Released: 22 August 2022

Darker Still is the seventh studio album by Australian metalcore band Parkway Drive. It was released on 9 September 2022 through Resist and Epitaph Records. The album was produced by George Hadji-Christou.[3][4][5]

At the AIR Awards of 2023, the album was nominated for Best Independent Heavy Album or EP.[6]

At the 2023 ARIA Music Awards, the album was nominated for Best Group and Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album.[7]

Background and promotion

On 11 January 2022, the band announced a North American tour in May and June, supported by Hatebreed, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Stick to Your Guns.[8] However, on 6 April, they announced the cancellation of the tour, stating that "the relentless nature of being in this band has given us very little time to reflect on who we are as individuals, who we want to be and the toll it is taking on ourselves and our friendships."[9] On 23 May, it was announced that for their mental health, Parkway Drive would be taking a break from activity, but clarified that they "are here to stay".[10]

On 7 June, following a series of teasers released on various social media, the band unveiled a brand new single entitled "Glitch" along with a music video.[11][12] On 8 June, the band announced that their Fall 2022 European tour with Lorna Shore and While She Sleeps would continue as scheduled with a rebrand, and new music to accompany said tour.[13] On 6 July, the band released the second single "The Greatest Fear" and its corresponding music video. At the same time, they officially announced the album itself while also revealed the album cover, the track list and release date.[14][15][16] On 22 August, the band published the third single and title track "Darker Still".[17][18]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Kerrang![19]
Louder Sound[20]
Rock 'N' Load9/10[21]
Rock Sins8/10[22]
Wall of Sound9/10[2]

The album received generally positive reviews from music critics. Kerrang! gave the album 4 out of 5 and stated: "Parkway went through hell making this record and they've got the scars to prove it, but they made it out alive to continue their rocket-powered trajectory. These songs of strength survival aren't platitudes, they're promises."[19] Louder Sound gave the album a positive review and stated: "A continuation of the steady evolution over the band's past few efforts, Darker Still's distillation of ideas into a more methodical, deliberate sound is perfectly aimed for the arenas and headline slots the band now comfortably occupy."[20]

Rock 'N' Load praised the album saying, "Darker Still is start to finish unreal. Leave all your preconceived ideas at the door, open your mind and ignore the negativity from the noisy minority, this album will help people through tough times and show them a way through life's shit."[21] Simon Crampton of Rock Sins rated the album 8 out of 10 and said: "Darker Still will no doubt be a divisive record, it's already proving to be before it's even been released. It is a dense, multi-layered album that showcases Parkway Drive at a creative peak. Free of the shackles that others have tried to place on them, they have spread their wings and constructed one of the most expansive, heartfelt and interesting releases of their career."[22] Wall of Sound gave the album almost perfect score 9/10 and saying: "Darker Still isn't just an album, it's a frantic journey of self-discovery that establishes the Byron Bay exports as not only the biggest band in Aussie heavy metal right now, but firmly cements them as key players in the future of heavy music on a global scale. From the shift in genres that'll find them performing alongside ICONS of the industry, through to the throwback sounds that made them local heroes of the scene, this new monster of a release is straight-up heavy for everyone."[2]

Track listing

Darker Still track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Ground Zero"4:09
2."Like Napalm"3:44
3."Glitch"4:21
4."The Greatest Fear"5:28
5."Darker Still"6:50
6."Imperial Heretic"4:50
7."If a God Can Bleed"2:40
8."Soul Bleach"3:31
9."Stranger"0:50
10."Land of the Lost"4:59
11."From the Heart of the Darkness"5:08
Total length:46:30

Personnel

Parkway Drive

  • Winston McCall – lead vocals
  • Jeff Ling – lead guitar
  • Luke "Pig" Kilpatrick – rhythm guitar
  • Jia "Pie" O'Connor – bass
  • Ben "Gaz" Gordon – drums, composition

Additional musicians

  • Gordon Hamilton – choir arrangement, conduction, orchestral arrangements, organ
  • John Rotar – choir conduction
  • Chady Awad, Ramon Ortiz and Maxim Pike – vocals
  • Pierre Bouvier and Molly Lewis – whistle

Additional personnel

  • George Hadji-Christou – production, vocals, bass, guitar, synthesizers, programming, composition
  • Dean Hadji-Christou, Andreas Wiedenhoff and David Spearritt – engineering
  • Reinert Wasserman and Stewart Geddes – engineering assistant
  • Zakk Cervini – mixing
  • Nik Trekov – mixing assistant
  • Ted Jensen – mastering
  • Dan Strong – drum technician
  • Hedi Xandt – artwork, layout

Charts

Chart performance for Darker Still
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[23] 1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[24] 7
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[25] 11
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[26] 30
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[27] 75
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[28] 47
French Albums (SNEP)[29] 188
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[30] 5
Scottish Albums (OCC)[31] 34
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 5
UK Albums (OCC)[33] 56
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[34] 5
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[35] 2

References

  1. ^ Hobson, Rich; Leaver, Elliot; Brennan, Adam; Hill, Stephen; Young, Nik; Whelan, Kez; Mills, Matt; Leivers, Dannii (2022-12-17). "The 10 best metalcore albums of 2022". Metal Hammer. Louder. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  2. ^ a b c d Brown, Paul (2 September 2022). "Parkway Drive – Darker Still (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  3. ^ Skinner, Tom (6 July 2022). "Parkway Drive announce seventh album 'Darker Still', share new single 'The Greatest Fear'". NME. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  4. ^ Carter, Emily (6 July 2022). "Parkway Drive unleash The Greatest Fear, announce new album Darker Still". Kerrang!. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  5. ^ DiVita, Joe (6 July 2022). "New Parkway Drive Song 'The Greatest Fear' Has a Power Metal Vibe, Band Announces 'Darker Still' Album". Loudwire. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Nominees Announced for the Australian Independent Music Awards 2023". Music Feeds. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Parkway Drive, Hatebreed, The Black Dahlia Murder, Stick To Your Guns tour announced". Lambgoat. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  9. ^ "Parkway Drive cancel North American tour with Hatebreed, The Black Dahlia Murder, Stick To Your Guns". Lambgoat. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Parkway Drive issue new update: 'We are here to stay'". Lambgoat. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Parkway Drive Drop First New Song In Four Years, and It's Very Bouncy". MetalSucks. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  12. ^ "Parkway Drive return with roaring new single 'Glitch'". NME. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  13. ^ "New Logo, New Music, Same Tour". Parkway Drive Facebook. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  14. ^ Rogers, Jack (6 July 2022). "Parkway Drive Have Announced The Details Of Their New Album 'Darker Still'". Rock Sound. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  15. ^ Alderslade, Merlin (6 July 2022). "Parkway Drive announce new album Darker Still, release new video The Greatest Fear". Louder Sound. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  16. ^ Eaton, Harry (6 July 2022). "Parkway Drive Announced Album "Darker Still" + Single 'The Greatest Fear'". Boolin Tunes. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  17. ^ Alderslade, Merlin (22 August 2022). "Listen to brooding new Parkway Drive single Darker Still". Louder Sound. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  18. ^ Skinner, Tom (23 August 2022). "Listen to Parkway Drive's new seven-minute epic 'Darker Still'". NME. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  19. ^ a b Morton, Luke (8 September 2022). "Album review: Parkway Drive – Darker Still". Kerrang!. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  20. ^ a b Brennan, Adam (9 September 2022). "Parkway Drive's Darker Still: Aussies triumph over darkness and shoot for the stratosphere". Louder Sound. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Parkway Drive // Darker Still // Album Review". Rock 'N' Load. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  22. ^ a b Crampton, Simon (8 September 2022). "Parkway Drive – Darker Still". Rock Sins. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  23. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 19 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  24. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Parkway Drive – Darker Still" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  25. ^ "Ultratop.be – Parkway Drive – Darker Still" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  26. ^ "Ultratop.be – Parkway Drive – Darker Still" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  27. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Parkway Drive – Darker Still" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  28. ^ "Parkway Drive: Darker Still" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  29. ^ "Top Albums (Week 38, 2022)". SNEP. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  30. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Parkway Drive – Darker Still" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  31. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  32. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Parkway Drive – Darker Still". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  33. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  34. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  35. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 September 2022.