‘
Darker Still’ is a master-class in modern metal. Cohesive and cinematic, each song paints a violently vivid scene, with the album playing out like the soundtrack to an anti-hero’s final battle.
Gorgeously gothic, it takes a clear influence from 90s metal. Despite the rawness of the vocals, this album is noticeably polished. Multi-layered with a string quartet and some absolutely magical work from lead guitarist Jeff Ling; the near seven-minute epic ‘Darker Still’ acts as the perfect title-track, while ‘
Soul Bleach’ is a collision of chaos so intense you’ll get whiplash.
Parkway Drive once again prove that they do nothing by halves. Massively impressive. ■
Kelsey McClure 
