Live Review: Parkway Drive, Polaris, Diamond Construct

As the crowd steadily drifted in, metalcore djentlemen Diamond Construct made a fair fist of getting punters involved. While some younger groups would appear overwhelmed on such a stage, the Taree outfit acquitted themselves well. Perhaps still searching for a musical identity to call their own, but the effort was admirable.

Perhaps the buzz band of Australia's heavy music landscape during 2017, Polaris' rise has seemed so rapid that within minutes of kicking off it felt like they'd already almost outgrown support act status. This was apparent both in the size of the choruses and rabid exchange of energy between the Sydney metalcore crew and their faithful. On record, the beefy grooves and technical flourishes of their Architects-influenced The Mortal Coil LP didn't entirely win this scribe over. Live, Consume and Casualty were afforded another dimension, though. As an aside, every band that isn't named Sick Of It All - retire the wall of death. That trope is played out.

A band member and fan both downing a 'shoey' felt a tad cheesy too, but the globe-conquering headliners had earned a pass by now. This evening was the culmination of three sold-out nights at the sweltering venue, the capacity of which Parkway Drive has long since surpassed.

The enthusiasm and production values (including eye-catching video screens) were present and correct. Byron Bay's megastars also boasted a clutch of metalcore mosh anthems that still possess considerable cache with diehards. Airing the majority of 2007's Horizons meant devotees received an earful of beloved singalong hits (Carrion, Boneyards, and Dead Man's Chest's seismic-shifting pit mayhem), as well as cuts perennially grinning frontman Winston McCall admitted many present wouldn't have heard live previously. His explanation of why the quintet hadn't played Frostbite in aeons reinforced their easy-going, natural charisma. A smattering of other tunes, such as arena-ready Vice Grip, displayed a willingness to take a few creative risks since that second album landed on record store racks.

Having long established a reputation among modern metal's biggest names, this was a timely reminder of past glories. However, Parkway Drive don't appear set to be relegated to the nostalgia act circuit anytime soon.