Released: Jun 25, 2010
Genre: Metalcore
Label: Resist Records, Epitaph, Burning Heart
Number Of Tracks: 13
Deep Blue, all together is a pretty good album, but I expected much more from the band after hearing Horizons.
Deep Blue
Reviewed by:
MH400, on july 09, 2010 6 of 11 people found this review helpful
Sound: Personally, I'm not a fan of the sound this CD. The guitars don't sound very heavy, and the vocals seem too loud at times. Also, on my speaker system, the bass drum seems to drown everything else.
As for the actual music, in my opinion, it isn't as good as their previous albums. At some points, it gets quite boring. The CD is quite a different style compared to 'Horizons' and 'Killing With A Smile'. As ever, breakdowns are featured regularly throughout the album, all to varying effect. Some are very generic and rather boring ('Deliver Me' in particular). Instead of adding to the song, they seem to be there just so that there is a breakdown. However, in songs such as 'Unrest', the breakdown fits very well. // 6
Lyrics and Singing: Winston McCall is a very good vocalist, and also a good lyricist. At the moment, not much of the lyrics are available on the internet to study, so I can't comment too much on the lyrics throughout the album. However, the lyrics that I have seen are quite good. Lines such as "Lightning cracks across a vast horizon, reaching out its hands towards an unsuspecting shore" allow the listener to picture a mental image, which is nice.
The vocals themselves are as good as ever (and probably the best part of the CD), and really display his unique voice. A lot of it is quite monotone, but in my opinion it suits the music. I don't think that lots of different highs and lows would suit this CD. However, there are times when highs and lows are used, and they are used well. // 7
Impression: Personally, I prefer their previous albums. They just seem to keep my attention more than 'Deep Blue'. You can definitely tell that this is Parkway Drive stepping in a new direction, which shows that they are a good band, seeing that they can be easily recognised.
'Sleepwalker' is probably my favourite song, followed by 'Unrest'. However, I feel that older songs such as 'Gimme a D' and 'Romance is Dead' are a step above the songs on this album. They're more interesting to listen to, and generally sound better.
I may have been slightly harsh in this review, but thats my opinion. I adore their previous albums, and this just doesn't fulfill the expectations that I had. In all fairness, this is still a good album - just not as good as we expect from Parkway Drive. // 7
Deep Blue
Reviewed by:
The Epidemic, on may 17, 2011 2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: I bought this album the day it came out, went home, locked my door plugged it in, and me and my friend were completely amazed. The intro of the album, "Samsara" was a perfect build up. I couldn't sit still without headbanging once the first breakdown came. After that, "Unrest" came and we just went apeshit. We just could not sit still to this kind of heaviness. The album got better an better as it went on. In my opinion, this is Parkway Drive's best album to date, and their heaviest. The only problem I think people will have with this is listening to it through headphones. The guitars sounded very dirty and distorted. I think they did this purposely to add character to the music. I personally liked it, but others may feel differently. I guess it's based on preference. Also, if you are a guitarist and know music theory well, then you will notic a lot of the same scales throughout the album. If you don't notice then it's a great listen. The bass is kind of lost in the guitars, but you can still kinda tell that the bass is there. The drumming is without a doubt much better than anything before. Ben Gordon is, in my opinion, one of the most skilled drummers ever with the release of this album. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics on this album are phenomonal. They are complex and do a very good job in telling the story of the album. Winston McCall has an amazing, unique voice compared to a lot of other metal vocalists. He knows when to do a growl and when to actually scream, and it compliments the music perfectly. I also thought that the guest vocalists added a bit of variety to the album. I liked Brett Gurewitz's appearance on "Home Is For The Heartless" and Marshall Lichtenwaldt's interlude in "Hollow". // 10
Impression: Here are the songs and an explanation on each of them:
01. "Samsara" - The intro of the album. It builds up to a very heavy breakdown at the end, and sedues to the next song of the album.
02. "Unrest" - A fast, heavy headbanger. It has a very nice breakdown at th end of it, and the drums in the beginning just kick your a-s.
03. "Sleepwalker" - One of the singles of the album. The main riff hasa kinda upeat feel and the song has a melodic section at the end of it which includes a solo :D! A rare event in Parkway Drive songs.
04. "Wreckage" - This song starts off loud and then moves on to an epic main riff. The end of the song has a cool guitar harmony at the end of it, too.
05. "Deadweight" - This song starts off with the bass drum and then comes in with a cool tapping lick that leads off to one of the best riff I've ever heard. The breakdown in this song is also very heavy, a great headbanger. At the end of the song, there is an even heavier breakdown with a distorted bass. Easily one of my favorites of this album.
06. "Alone" - This is one of the two melodic songs of the album. It starts off with an acoustic riff that is used and harmonized later in the song with dostprted guitars, and leads to the main riff. The end of the song has a nice, relaxing sweep picking section at the end of it.
07. "Pressures" - This song starts off trippy but afterwards is one breakdown after another. The main riff is awesome and is used in many differen vavriants. In random parts of the song, they decide to put in a harmonized section, which I don't get, but it still sounds cool.
08. "Deliver Me" - This is my favorite song off of the album. So much fun to play on guitar and a great headbanger. The guitars work perfectly with the drums, bass, and the vocals. My favorite part of the song is the clean interlude and the build-up afterwards. It is PERFECT. The vocals, guitar and drums make it sound so unbelievably good. I never thought a build-up could sound so good.
09. "Karma" - Another favorite off of the album. Starts of with a badass drum fill then goes to the main riff. This is a drummer's dream song. The drums sound perfect. My faorite part of the song is the guitar interlude. I nearlt jizzed when I heard it.
10. "Home Is For The Heartless" - The second melodic song off of the album. It features Epitaph founder Brett Gurewitz. I especially like the tapping lick in the middle of the song. It relaxes me every time I hear it.
11. "Hollow" - This song is a remake of "Hollow Man" from their "Don't Close Your Eyes" EP. It features Marshall Lichtenwaldt of The Warriors. I like his interlude in the song. I feel it adds a bit of variety.
12. "Leviathan I" - This song starts off with a riff that changes pans from left to right. It has a lot of good riffs and I really like this song. The breakdown at the end is immensely good.
13. "Set To Destroy" - The last song off of the album. It is 1 minute and 30 seconds of pure insanity. I can just imagine what the crowd does when they play this song. I feel bad for the people who have to clean up. This song just kicks your ass from the start and does an intro, 2 verses, and 2 choruses in 40 seconds. After that the best breakdown of the album plays. It is so simple, yet so powerful. I do not think it's possible to sit down while listening to that breakdown. The song then ends with a repeat of the verse riff.
Overall, this album is pretty much perfect. There are a couple of things that could be changed here and there but very good. If it was lost or stolen I would definately buy it again. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. // 10
Deep Blue
Reviewed by:
milandros, on july 13, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Parkway Drive certainly haven't broken any ground with their latest effort, Deep Blue, as many seem to be claiming. The first impression left little desire to listen to it again and was somewhat disappointing as they definitely set high expectations following their previous two efforts.
A couple of songs such as Unrest have been recorded in drop A#, lower than their usual drop Bb tuning. This seems to contribute to a bigger, heavier sound directed more at live performance and this unfortunately doesn't make for enjoyable listening. There aren't really any stand out songs on this album but they are by no means bad. Sleepwalker has a completely different style and sound to anything they have done in the past and shows they are not afraid to experiment.
The album just doesn't seem to have as many catchy riffs as the previous two and it really misses the crisp and polished sound that Adam D was able to produce. // 6
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics on the album aren't any better or worse than the lyrics on the previous releases. The lyrics do continue to have references to the ocean as Horizons did. Lyrically it is a concept album which tells a story throughout the songs.
The vocals on the album were a pleasant surprise. Vocalist Winston McCall failed to disappoint with a very powerful performance behind the mic. There is quite a lot more range in the vocals on the album.
There are even some guest vocalists featured on the album - Marshall Lichtenwaldt of The Warriors on Hollow, and label owner Brett Gurewitz (of Bad Religion fame) on Home Is For The Heartless. // 7
Impression: Parkway Drive seem to have lost their solid footing which they had on KWAS and Horizons. While most of this review may seem negative it is by no means a bad album but just not what you would expect after a couple of really solid records.
Sleepwalker impressed in terms of its new/different sound from anything they have done before although it won't be everyone's cup of tea. Hollow had quite a catchy section that reminded of the Parkway of old but overall nothing really to talk about.
Although a lot of people may not like As I Lay Dying, Adam D and co. must be commended for the sound they got out of AILD's latest release The Powerless Rise. Why is this relevant? Well, with no disrespect to Joe Barresi, it seems Parkway should've stuck with Adam D as they had a winning recipe and Deep Blue could have been a completely different album if it had been touched by the hand of Adam D.
If lost or stolen, rather buy Horizons or Killing With a Smile if don't have those already, otherwise save up for a pedal or something. // 6
Deep Blue
Reviewed by:
opeth714, on july 13, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: I have listened to Parkway Drive since their first album, Killing with a smile, and have love all three albums to date, including their DVD, and Deep Blue, their latest studio effort. The unlikely producer on the album makes Deep Blue a different prospect, and I was a little sceptical at first, however from the first breakdown in the opening track Samsara (a largely instrumental one), I was blown away by the production, although, the drums are a little high in the mix! This is usually not the case though, and the album is an impressive effort.
The sound of this album is different to the others, it feels more matured, developed, and being the first album in three years has probably influenced it, as the band have grown in popularity, experience etc. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: Winston McCall does well on this album, as in the previous efforts, however, some parts seem strained, also apparent in the other two records. The lyrics are good or 'meh' depending on the mood the listener is in! If original, unique and thought provoking lyrics are being searched for, not much of this album will be of use, but if some hard hitting, agression, passion is needed, this album suits very well. There is no doubt he is skilled, and gets better and better, and its very easy to feel some affinity with him. The guest vocalists add to two of the songs, but do not outclass Winston, just add another facet to the music.
The music on this record shares the melodic nature of Killing with a smile, and the technicality of Horizons, but feels much more grounded. The grooves are simply huge, the breakdowns just as brutal, and the melodies just as... melodic, if less frequent. // 8
Impression: Parkway drive are often placed in a genre with a hundred million other generic bands, and whilst I think they stand out, some will disagree. Although they play to largely a bunch of 'scene kids' they can appeal to anyone into metal, and Deep Blue puts them yet another notch above other 'similar' bands. The best songs (in my opinion obviously) are Deadweight, Pressures and Unrest, but they are all sterling efforts. I love the range of abilities that Parkway Drive show, and different styles, and the fist pumping adrenaline fueled songs (Home is for the heartless is notable from Deep Blue). Parkway are keeping it heavy, not forgetting who they are, but progressing and expanding in an impressive way, keep it up lads. // 9
Deep Blue
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on july 13, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Veeeeerryyy different. Listening to the first three songs makes that apparent. The vocals are a lot louder(sometimes a little too loud) guitars are deeper and the skill level of the drumming has increased by miles. Overall the sound of this would be disappointing for anyone that wanted it to be just like Horizons. My only problem with it personally is that the vocals can sometimes be a little too loud. The riffing on this album is still quite good with some very catchy tracks you just have to have an ear for metal so the vocals don't drown them out. The technical ability of all band members has really shown through in this album and I personally enjoyed it a lot but when you listen to it, you have to consider it a new album not an extension of their old work. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: I love the lyrics on this album. I think Winston does a brilliant job as always. The vocals are very clear throughout the entire album with some catchy lines. I personally hated the whoaa bit in "home is for the heartless" and thought it was a bit of a wank. Aside from that they didn't change things up too dramatically in the lyrical department with some references tot he ocean and a decent theme coupled with some deep meaning and catchy lines. // 9
Impression: Horizons was probably a slightly better album in my opinion just because of the super catchy melodic clean nature of all songs. Deep Blue is still a brilliant album however.
01. Samsara: this is a little track to start the album and creates quite a good build up to the real power of the following song.
02. Unrest: one of my favorites from the album with a very strong heavy feel from the opening. It has a nice breakdown and some good drumming throughout.
03. Sleepwalker: this song is just awesome. Sweet riffs, great vocals, awesome breakdowns and a nice melodic fadeout.
04. Wreckage: a nice melodic song with some very catchy riffs.
05. Deadweight: starts of slightly annoyingly with a deep tap riff but goes into a nice speedy riff and a pretty good song overall
06. Alone: begins with an accoustic section and seems to be this albums "horizons". Not the best on the album but still a good song.
07. Pressures: a great heavy song with a solid main riff.
08. Deliver Me: has a very powerful opening and stays heavy for most of the song with a nice breakdown. Has a build up towards the end which is very strong. Probably my favorite song on the album.
09. Karma: a decent track opens with a sweet drum fill and has a good catchy chorus.
10. Home Is For The Heartless: my least favorite song on the album, I see what they were going for with the whoa's and opening lyrics but I thought it was too obviously an attempt at an anthem and it seems a little wanky.
11. Hollow: fairly good riffs, can get lost in the songs around it but a decen track by itself.
12. Leviathan I: A solid heavy track with some great drums...good loud.
13. Set To Destroy: a fast, heavy song which punches you in the face, could have chosen a better song to end the album on but still not bad...just sudden.
Overall I would buy it again if lost or stolen because I am a huge partkway fan... I will admitt it is weaker than their previous albums but I still love every song. // 10
Deep Blue
Reviewed by:
JordanFlayer, on july 09, 2010 1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: This summer, Australian Metalcore band Parkway Drive released their third full-length album, Deep Blue. The release, which follows after the band's 2007 release Horizons, once again brings back the imagery of the ocean through song titles and concepts.
This 13 song album pulls no punches right from the beginning. It unleashes every bit of heavy riffing and breakdowns straight from the get go, but this time, the band decided to play in Drop-A, instead of Drop-B as on their previous albums. This change in tuning is immediately noticeable by the first breakdown of the album, and keeps a very heavy feel throughout.
The only issue I find with the sound of this album is that it doesn't sound as crisp to me as Horizons did. It has a very muddy sound throughout most of it, a bad change from the cleanliness of the previous album. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: As I stated before, the lyrics hold to Parkway's concept of oceans, started on Horizons. On the whole, the lyrics on this album are nothing different than those on their previous releases, or even any metalcore band's releases. This is not an insult at all, they are pretty good lyrics, I just wish that there would be more creativity in the writing process.
As for the vocals on the album, they are straight in line with anything you'd expect from Parkway. Winston's deep, throaty screams compliment the music perfectly, though the track, "Pressures" was a large turn off for me. The intro screaming, while I understand what the band was going for, sounded to me like a really bad demo recorded in someone's bathroom. // 7
Impression: Deep Blue, all together is a pretty good album, but I expected much more from the band after hearing Horizons. Parkway lives up to their reputation of bringing extremely heavy breakdowns and pretty good riffing to the table, but the guitar sound, to me, could have been much better.
My pick for best track?
Deadweight: this song starts off slow, with what I feel like is a very Papa Roach-esque hammer-on/pull-off opening, but by tthe time the 30 second marker hits, it busts out of the gates with one of the best riffs I've heard in a long time.
The others on the album are decent, but I feel that Deadweight is by far the best track on the album. All in all, Deep Blue is great for a listen through, once or twice. It just does not compare with the replay value of Horizons. If this album were stolen/lost, I wouldn't buy it again, I'd probably just download it. // 7
Deep Blue
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on july 28, 2011 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Parkway Drive are one of the leading acts in metalcore music today and are one of my favourite bands. Having seen them before I have not only throughly enjoyed their music but got to know their background and where their music started. But besides their history I want to clarify that the sound they manage to create in this astounding album is mind-blowing. Every riff is top notch and is accompenied by a nice little lick every so often. The drumming is so tight and percise and just takes you suprise every so often by a drum solo or clever drum fill. But where do I start with the vocals! By far Winston MCall is the best vocalist in metal at the minuete. His voice is so raw and vicious but at the same time emotional and powerful. He can hold notes for a long period of time, this is proven in the intro to deliver me and the verce's in karma. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: Now I think their is a problem with lyrics nowadays and some bands just don't seem to have a very strong worded vocabulary. *cough* ASKING ALEXANDRIA *cough* But anyways this pandemic is shown a light of hope by Winston MCall! He seems to be somehow stuck in life or something because he says "walk these streets a thousand times" and "What the f--k have I become" during unrest. In sleepwalker I think he takes his view from someone who is under control of a overseer. Mayby a slave's perspective on life? Mayby this is his view on modern society? Who knows, all I know is that is really pissed off during this song! But the song with the best lyrics is home is for the heartless. After the band's intro Winston crys out "If home is where the heart is, why do I feel so f--king heartless!" which in my opinion is the best lyric of the album. He seems to have just came back to his home to find a unknown land. Mayby his life is not what he though it was? // 8
Impression: Standout songs: "Deliver Me", "Karma", "Home Is For The Heartless", "Sleepwalker", "Unrest", "Deadweight".
It is such a perfect album that is nearly unbeatable by any act and is unique in everyway. Most people think that metalcore is running out of ideas, well those people better think twice before uttering those words again because deep blue is a reminder that metalcore is not dead! This album is just everything that is awesome in the world put into one disc of pure epicness. Its a metal masterpiece // 10
Deep Blue
Reviewed by:
imnouser, on july 09, 2010 0 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: This is definitely a different sound for parkway, rather than songs being just random collections of fast riffs and slow heavy breakdown the songs on Deep Blue songs seem to take a more constructed approach thus setting a heavyer atmosphere. Which in the end brings itself together for some of the most brootal and heavy breakdowns imaginable from this artist. It is also heard a lot in this album how the band works together through the verses and the breakdowns in different ways. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The vocals in this album is a lot more evident. If you are a person who likes metal but can't stand the screaming, then this album definitely isnt for you.
Winstons vocals are harsh and brootal and fit in extremely well with the rest of the bands works. They are heard even more throughout songs and long screams are being used a lot more aswell. It is hard to see why they would do this as the man who helped them produce this tried his hardest to use as least editing as he could, giving a more natural sound and of corse a better live show. But if you have seen the live set on their DVD you will know that winston was struggling to get through the show, so how he'll manage a show with these vocals I don't know (at least until october :p) // 9
Impression: You can't really compare Deep Blue to the other parkway albums as its a completely different type of metal compared to what the others were based on, but it does continue the ocean theme in the lyrics and such. I'd have to say that I can't wait to see them play Home is For the Heartless live, as the crowd will go simply mental. And for anyone who has their first album (Don't Close Your Eyes) should listen to the song Hollow man some more, the song Hollow on Deep Blue has some scary similarities...
Deep Blue is released on the 25th of June, and I am writing this review on the 23rd. It was not a leak at all though because the people who pre ordered it from Jb Hi-Fi did get it in the mail 3 days before. I didn't buy it, but I will be buying it this friday as I can't get enough of this album. // 10
It's a good album, deserves maybe a 6.5/10 at least. It is, however, Parkway Drive's poorest effort to date. Horizons is much better than Deep Blue but this album is still worth a listen.
It's a good album, but killing with a smile and horizons were better,,, I wish they didn't do the remake of hollow man especially with some rare singer in it.... And another downer is in "Home is for the heartless", I don't like how winston screams the "woah, woah" in it, it'd be much better if it was just backup vocals,,, but yeah overall it IS a good album it was just a bit disappointing how sleepwalker is probably the best song on the album and i knew it before I got the whole album so yeah nothing outdid it
deep blue was the biggest letdown Ive had from my favorite bands as of late. Killswitch new album sounds better than this laughable garbage. I was a Parkway fan, but this one is a total wash...no pun intended.
Not what i expected. i expected them to top horizons, but they took a more mainstream approach. which has a lot to due with with not having adam produce this album. 2 let downs in row, parkway drive and as i lay dying.
Im sorry, but i love this album. Not as good as horizons, and sure, the mix isnt the best, but this album is by no means BAD. I give it a 7.5/10, which for my standards is good.
Who the hell mixed this album ? xD
I could probably do a better job than he did
This. If it was mixed better, it'd be much better sounding and be a lot closer to the levels of their other Cds. Agree with everyone else. Not bad, by any means, but not their best/.
Definitely do not like as well as last two records. 'Deep Blue' was mixed and recorded by someone new to Parkway Drive. Whereas 'Killing with a Smile' and 'Horizons' was done by Adam D. of Killswitch. I guess that accounts for the poor mixing/tone of the album. Say what you will about Killswitch, but their sound/tone is KILLER.
I feel that the album gets better the more you listen to it. They are definitely stepping into a more melodic style, but songs like Unrest show that they 'still got it.'
As for the tunings? There are a few in A, a few in A# and the rest are in B.
joeyreece wrote:
And another downer is in "Home is for the heartless", I don't like how winston screams the "woah, woah" in it, it'd be much better if it was just backup vocals,,,
Dude, it was Brett Gurewitz. from ****ing Bad Religeon. Anyone who disses this album should go buy themselves a new pair of ears. Also, the album uses A, A# AND B. And Joe Baressi recorded. So whoever it was that dissed the recording quality, it's designed to be a live album, so the quality of the bass is amazing!!! If it sounds muddy, go buy a new stereo. Fucking moron...
I think what really kills t he album is the frist like 3 or 4 tracks.... But like after that it's pure amazing. The single they released not so amazing, but not bad either. I'd say this album is something a lot of people are going to look back on and be like "oh shit, that waas pretty awesome..."
Second, whats with all these Metalcore bands starting to get super Melodic death metal esque guitar leads?
Winston's annoying, cliche growls compliment the music perfectly
Yes.
Also, whats with all the happy, honky-tonk riffs. Do they just want to turn this into a joke or are they blissfully unaware about it.
Then again, 13 year olds 'dance' to this crap.
To me this has always been special about the band, they really have killer melodic riffs with a lot feeling wheras all the other bands just poop out one evil boring riff after another.
If you want to hear cool dissonant shit go listen to Carnifex or Whitechapel, not Parkway Drive.
I have never been a fan of any type of "Core", but PD are bringing me into this.
I think the album is pretty good, there are enough songs that kick major ass.
Deadweight is by far my fovourite track they ever did, It's really got this "jumping up" feeling.
Dude, it was Brett Gurewitz. from ****ing Bad Religeon. Anyone who disses this album should go buy themselves a new pair of ears. Also, the album uses A, A# AND B. And Joe Baressi recorded. So whoever it was that dissed the recording quality, it's designed to be a live album, so the quality of the bass is amazing!!! If it sounds muddy, go buy a new stereo. Fucking moron...
that doesn't give it some sort of intrinsic worth, nor does it make it immune to criticism. no need to get overly defensive there, fanboy.
i've listened to it through a number of different quality sources on cd/lossless/mp3 - and it still blows. designed to be a 'live' album; my backside.
Winston's annoying, cliche growls compliment the music perfectly
Yes.
Also, whats with all the happy, honky-tonk riffs. Do they just want to turn this into a joke or are they blissfully unaware about it.
Then again, 13 year olds 'dance' to this crap.
To me this has always been special about the band, they really have killer melodic riffs with a lot feeling wheras all the other bands just poop out one evil boring riff after another.
If you want to hear cool dissonant shit go listen to Carnifex or Whitechapel, not Parkway Drive.
I have never been a fan of any type of "Core", but PD are bringing me into this.
I think the album is pretty good, there are enough songs that kick major ass.
Deadweight is by far my fovourite track they ever did, It's really got this "jumping up" feeling.
I'm totally bored with metalcore, its just been around too long as a fashion statement now. Only like 3 metalcore-ish bands: Himsa, Deadlock and TesseracT.
Not what i expected. i expected them to top horizons, but they took a more mainstream approach. which has a lot to due with with not having adam produce this album. 2 let downs in row, parkway drive and as i lay dying.
You do realise that adam did produce as i lay dying's new album, and that it is ****ing awesome...
Deep Blue is a 'grower', I don't like it more than their other releases (yet?) but it definately requires multiple listens (also for the fact it's a concept album). Have people in this age of downloads and disposable music forgotten to give it a few listens before dismissing it. "Oh no, I didn't like it after one listen...arrgh!"
It's a good album, but killing with a smile and horizons were better,,, I wish they didn't do the remake of hollow man especially with some rare singer in it.... And another downer is in "Home is for the heartless", I don't like how winston screams the "woah, woah" in it, it'd be much better if it was just backup vocals,,, but yeah overall it IS a good album it was just a bit disappointing how sleepwalker is probably the best song on the album and i knew it before I got the whole album so yeah nothing outdid it
The album is a good album, but it's not as clean a listen. There are some really cool things they do with the melodies and I feel like they've tried to up the dynamics in their songs with the choice of Joe Barresi as producer. They've gotten heavier without really crossing over the "bro" side of heavy, which would just be absolutely horrible. Best songs on there are "Sleepwalker", "Unrest", "Wreckage", and "Deliver Me". Hell I ****ing love "Deliver Me". The clean interlude is ****ing PERFECTLY placed. Such a good contrast from the rest of the heavy stuff in that song, and then the screams with the build-up are just golden.
All and all, there are some good songs on the album, but unlike Killing With A Smile and Horizons, this album isn't as cohesive. I feel like they tried to do too many things with this album which sacrificed the flow of it.
Not what i expected. i expected them to top horizons, but they took a more mainstream approach. which has a lot to due with with not having adam produce this album. 2 let downs in row, parkway drive and as i lay dying.
What was wrong with the new As I Lay Dying album? They're progressively becoming less metalcore. Or at least they're advancing the genre and making it a little more diverse. Definitely head and shoulders above most generic metalcore bands out there.
As for Parkway Drive, I never listened to them much. I thought they were pretty good but nothing special. Then I heard them playing one of their songs in Hot Topic one day and was like "Hey, this is pretty sweet. Who is it?" So I've decided to give them another listen. We'll see what I think afterwards.
Dude, it was Brett Gurewitz. from ****ing Bad Religeon. Anyone who disses this album should go buy themselves a new pair of ears. Also, the album uses A, A# AND B. And Joe Baressi recorded. So whoever it was that dissed the recording quality, it's designed to be a live album, so the quality of the bass is amazing!!! If it sounds muddy, go buy a new stereo. Fucking moron...
that doesn't give it some sort of intrinsic worth, nor does it make it immune to criticism. no need to get overly defensive there, fanboy.
i've listened to it through a number of different quality sources on cd/lossless/mp3 - and it still blows. designed to be a 'live' album; my backside.
Regardless of wether you like it or not you cant deny that this record does not sound anywhere as crisp as horizons, whether or not this is intentional or not is up for debate. I don't care, for me horizons sounded much fuller. I also feel like deep blue lacks the brutality in parts that Horizons and killing with a smile have.
and how is going for a live album sound, justify shit production???, you wanna hear how good a live metal core recording can be one? one word ' kiladelhpia"
They had like 1 year or so to record te album because of their label... I didn't expect the best album ever erm, their last album (Horizons) came out in 2007, theyve had 3 years.
yeah cuz they start recordin new album directly after the last one. no tours or anythin. just strait up writing and recording
I'm a big fan of Parkway but, I gotta agree with what everyone else seems to be saying.
"It's a decent album, but it's disappointing."
All the breakdowns in this one seem boring and repetitive to me, like the first review (I think it was) said, there's a breakdown there just because they wanted a breakdown there.
It seemed like there wasn't much thought (if any) put into the writing of these breakdowns.
However, in a couple of songs, they are done well.
I've heard a few people say that this new album is an acquired taste, so to speak and I'd sorta agree.
I didn't like Unrest or Sleepwalker when I first heard them, but now they're my favourites on the album. But the rest of the album (excluding Home Is For The Heartless) was really boring for me.
Home Is For The Heartless is my favourite Parkway song now, and easily my favourite on the album.
But yeah, alright album but disappointing.
In my opinion, go buy The Amity Affliction's "Youngbloods" before buying this. I have both, and that's far more impressive.
Dude, it was Brett Gurewitz. from ****ing Bad Religeon. Anyone who disses this album should go buy themselves a new pair of ears. Also, the album uses A, A# AND B. And Joe Baressi recorded. So whoever it was that dissed the recording quality, it's designed to be a live album, so the quality of the bass is amazing!!! If it sounds muddy, go buy a new stereo. Fucking moron...
that doesn't give it some sort of intrinsic worth, nor does it make it immune to criticism. no need to get overly defensive there, fanboy.
i've listened to it through a number of different quality sources on cd/lossless/mp3 - and it still blows. designed to be a 'live' album; my backside.
Regardless of wether you like it or not you cant deny that this record does not sound anywhere as crisp as horizons, whether or not this is intentional or not is up for debate. I don't care, for me horizons sounded much fuller. I also feel like deep blue lacks the brutality in parts that Horizons and killing with a smile have.
and how is going for a live album sound, justify shit production???, you wanna hear how good a live metal core recording can be one? one word ' kiladelhpia"
i love this album soo much, BUT then again it is the first Parkway album i have purchased in a store and listened to it fully while reading the lyrics. As i am writing this i am listening through Horizons and i really don't see what is so great about it. I am also only 3 songs in. I don't know..
Who the hell mixed this album ? xD
I could probably do a better job than he did.
Amen!! Most of the songs are grade A, wicked stuff! But the recordings let it down so bad... I'll be looking forward to see what they sound like live... probably 100 times better than the crappy recording.
This album is the epitome of generic metalcore.
It's not a bad album but in a genre which is saturated you need to do something different and special to stand out.
Parkway Drive have done neither of these things. They haven't varied from the genereic metalcore forumla at all. I actually think they're getting more generic then they used to be which is worrying. Sorry for overusing the word generic.
milandros wrote:
A couple of songs such as Unrest have been recorded in drop A#, lower than their usual drop Bb tuning
And I have to agree with Alpha_Wolf, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
I thought this was one of their bests. What's wrong with people!
anytime artists pour their life into music you can appreciate it in so many ways, from the riffs to the screams, to the bass lines, to drum beats and, just all the different aspects that goes into a creative entity. Now you have to be open to appreciation in order to fully accept the awesomeness that is deepblue. No there is nothing "wrong" with people who don't like this album, simply put they are not open to appreciation. The album needs to their tickle every fancy from head to toe in order for it to be a good album!!! While an album like this is a godsend, its all about appreciation, PWD was not out to make a buck, they were out to make history, and they so succeeded.
I thought this was one of their bests. What's wrong with people!
ST Custom wrote:
kylendm wrote:
I thought this was one of their bests. What's wrong with people!
anytime artists pour their life into music you can appreciate it in so many ways, from the riffs to the screams, to the bass lines, to drum beats and, just all the different aspects that goes into a creative entity. Now you have to be open to appreciation in order to fully accept the awesomeness that is deepblue. No there is nothing "wrong" with people who don't like this album, simply put they are not open to appreciation. The album needs to their tickle every fancy from head to toe in order for it to be a good album!!! While an album like this is a godsend, its all about appreciation, PWD was not out to make a buck, they were out to make history, and they so succeeded.
Great album, much prefer Horizons and KWAS though. I think for the next album, they should go back to their original producer, he did a better job than this new guy.
I don't think this person realizes that A# and Bb are exactly the same! Lol
Other than that, this album sounds great, Unrest and Sleepwalker get me goin every time!!!
Who the hell mixed this album ? xD
I could probably do a better job than he did.
Amen!! Most of the songs are grade A, wicked stuff! But the recordings let it down so bad... I'll be looking forward to see what they sound like live... probably 100 times better than the crappy recording.
I saw them at Warped this year, and let me tell you, Unrest was their opening song and it ****in opened that pit! They sounded amazing!
I have to admit I am not a huge fan of this cd at all. I love the opening "Samsara". It is very different from parkway drive though much more acacia/emmure then parkway drive but I still really like it. The strange thing is that when it goes in to song # 2. It sounds like these two songs are two totally different mixes. Which I find very odd since they have basically had 3 years to make this album, why would they rush production and miss something so simple as the levels? The kick drum is also WAY too high. It drowns out everything at some times. I'd say I really only like 5-6 of the songs on here with "Karma" being my favorite because of that epic lead that is played during the middle breakdown. Definitely not PD's best work though!
I've seen them 4 times. Amazing every time! I love PD but am a little disappointed on DEEP BLUE. I love the lyrics and artwork of the album though. IMO its the best part about this cd! lol
Man oh man I just don't understand everyone on this who is saying horizons is better. I mean have you actually listened to the Deep Blue in its entirety? Deep Blue is an album that I wish is how all albums work; it's solid, flows, and every instrument fuses together so cohesively creating the perfect environment and painting a great picture for the vocals and storyline. It is one solid masterpiece whereas i would say Parkway Drive's other work is excellent and talented but it does not have the same wholeness to it that Deep Blue has. Idk maybe I'm alone here but I feel this album takes it over all their other albums. It's an album not singles w/ filler songs.
MH 400 idk what the hell you are listening too. The new album is 10X better production wise than horizons. The guitars are alot more clearer too and every instrument fits perfectly in the audible spectrum. Too say it doesn't sound heavy is absolutly ridiculous, i dont think you can even tune a guitar lower than drop b flat without it even sounding like a guitar anymore. The guitars on horizons are have alot more mid range than deep blue which gives it that muddy sound. and to say the album gets boring well obviously this isnt your type of music.
how the hell can anyone say that the recording and mixing sucks..listen to it in your car with good speakers..if your listening through your ipod or an mp3 file no wonder why u hear shit because they are not at all the same quality as off the CD..in ipod headphones not every frequency can play through because the speakers arent capable of reproducing it..do yourself a favor and buy a decent pair of speakers with a sub woofer and pop the CD in and let me know what you think
I think this is the best work PWD have done so far. I think that the production was amazing, I get bloody awesome sound quality. You really have to listen to this album at least 5 times to really appreciate it imo, only a few aspects I don't like are the breakdowns which are feeling forced and generic at times.
Winston's annoying, cliche growls compliment the music perfectly
Yes.
I'm totally bored with metalcore, its just been around too long as a fashion statement now. Only like 3 metalcore-ish bands: Himsa, Deadlock and TesseracT.
You sir are a moron. Himsa is far better than deadlock and tesseract. How can you even put them in the same sentence.
This album is brilliantly written.
Truthfully, I think the sound matured a lot compared to Horizons. Many people here don't like it because.. Come on, it's Ultimate-Guitar. I'm pretty sure there's a large audience here that listens to actual Metal and they're probably comparing to that. This is indeed part of the metal sub genres. Call me lame, but I'm all about that stuff.. and I love this.
I thought there new album was amazing. But due to the high standard they set, it was looked down apon. I would give it an 8.5 because they tried something new although it didn't work, I hope their next album is the best to date
The thing with this album is, it was good...just good. Their previous work was amazing and this was....y'know...a good album. It wasn't that it sucked, just that even though it was fairly decent...it was still a let down. Hard to clearly describe but it was a "meh" album that i don't think will stand out after they produce a few more...unless they progressively get worse..**** i hope that doesn't happen. For the record I've seen them live in the last year and the songs ARE good live. But so were the others and they didn't lose any sound quality for it.
This album is brilliantly written.
Truthfully, I think the sound matured a lot compared to Horizons. Many people here don't like it because.. Come on, it's Ultimate-Guitar. I'm pretty sure there's a large audience here that listens to actual Metal and they're probably comparing to that. This is indeed part of the metal sub genres. Call me lame, but I'm all about that stuff.. and I love this.
no this album isn't brilliant by any stand point, it was quite generic, it didn't change much from horizons except lower tunings, more breakdowns (they had a perfect amount on horizons) and less riffs, the producing was terrible, bass was lost in the mix, guitars muddy, sounded like a line 6 pod, but the vocals and drums were great, same with the lyrics, decent album with a terrible mix, i can listen to horizons start to finish and be like **** yeah, but this i'd struggle to listen all the way through, i hope their next album is much better, i did like the lower tunings though
Didn't like the album at all in the beginning, but i learned to appreciate the good things about the album after a while.
Something i really dislike about Deep Blue is their guitar tone on the album. The crunchy guitar tones in Horizons and Killing With A Smile were one of the reasons i liked Parkway Drive when i first heard about them and the tone on Deep Blue just isn't as good as the tone on Horizons.
Have to agree, I love PD but this one didn't do much of anything for me. Had it since release... but still can't get into it and unlike some of the posts... nor has it grown on me either. That being said it's not TERRIBLE... but definitely boring... in my honest opinion.
This album worries me because the only 2 albums Parkway has done without adam d is Dont Close Your Eyes and Deep Blue...and both of these albums seem very generic and not standout. so maybe a lot of why KWAS and Horizons were so great had a lot to do with Adam D...
Who the hell mixed this album ? xD
I could probably do a better job than he did.
Amen!! Most of the songs are grade A, wicked stuff! But the recordings let it down so bad... I'll be looking forward to see what they sound like live... probably 100 times better than the crappy recording.
I saw them at Warped this year, and let me tell you, Unrest was their opening song and it ****in opened that pit! They sounded amazing!
True that...I saw them when they came to Sonar in Baltimore and the songs they played off of Deep Blue (especially Home is for the Heartless) sounded kickass live...the production really is the main thing that ruined this album
Of course it is good album but in my opinion Killing with a smile and Horizons were better from it. Still we are waiting for some other good album. Thanks for beautiful share.
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