Horizons

Released in 2007, Horizons solidified Parkway Drive as the premier exports of Australian metalcore. Produced by Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage, the record represents the 'gold standard' of the genre's second wave. Sonically, it is a bridge between the raw, unpolished energy of their debut, Killing with a Smile, and the stadium-sized ambitions of their later work. The recording at Zing Studios captured a specific drum clarity and guitar bite that became a blueprint for countless bands. Lyrically, the album leans into 'emo' territory with themes of heartbreak and existential longing, yet delivers them with a ferocity that precludes any softness. It is widely cited by critics and fans alike as one of the greatest metalcore albums of all time, noted specifically for its refusal to use clean vocals while maintaining a high level of melodic accessibility through lead guitar work.