Roundhouse

Parkway Drive transformed Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena into a melting pot of heavy music and explosive spectacle for their 20-year anniversary tour this past Saturday evening. It was a day of immense activity in Sydney’s Olympic Park, with not only Parkway Drive drawing 21,000 fans to a sold-out show but also the Bledisloe Cup at Accor Stadium and Comic Con in full swing nearby. Despite the logistical chaos outside, the moment fans entered the arena, their focus shifted entirely to the stage, as the band and their fans made it clear that this night belonged to them.

What began as a four-band lineup quickly shifted to a two-band bill, as Void of Vision and The Ghost Inside both had to cancel their sets due to unforeseen production issues. The disappointment was palpable, especially for fans eager to see Void of Vision celebrate their latest release, What I’ll Leave Behind, and those looking forward to The Ghost Inside’s long-awaited return to Australian soil after almost a decade.

However, the night was far from lost. Hailing from Detroit, I Prevail broke in the stage with tracks like There’s Fear in Letting Go and Body Bag quickly getting the crowd warmed up. Their reluctant but well-received cover of Taylor Swift’s Blank Space had the crowd screaming along, while songs like Choke inspired insane mosh pits. Their set was a rollercoaster of emotions, particularly during Hurricane, where frontman Brian Burkheiser touched on mental health struggles. By the time they closed with Gasoline, the arena was crackling with anticipation for what was to come.

Then came Parkway Drive.

The atmosphere shifted to a new level as the big screens flickered to life, showing nostalgic footage from their early days. The moment felt personal, almost intimate, as if the band was letting everyone in on the journey that brought them to this massive stage. The band emerged from the back of the arena, vocalist Winston McCall led the charge, draped in a white hoodie, resembling a boxer making his walk to the ring, flanked by two flag bearers.

They navigated their way through the crowd, building anticipation with every step handing out hugs and hi5’s. As they reached the center, the band assembled on a boxing-ring-sized stage in the middle of the arena, launching straight into their opener, and crowd favourite, Carrion. The small stage gave an intense, close-quarters feel, the band playing almost face-to-face with the audience. The energy was relentless as they followed up with Prey and Glitch, the floor of Qudos Arena heaving with at least 90% of the crowd jumping in unison. Mid-set, the band transitioned to the main stage via a walkway.

And that’s when the pyro kicked in. The sheer scale of the fire and explosions made it clear—the pyro budget for this tour must have been astronomical.

Highlights of the night included Vice Grip, during which a girl in a wheelchair was crowd-surfed from the back to the front, as if one ride wasn’t enough she would return 2 more times throughout the night. It was a pure, unfiltered moment of unity and celebration. The band tore through Boneyards featuring special guest Michael Crafter from Carpathian and I Killed The Prom Queen. A nod to the old school Australian hardcore fans in attendance. Winston’s thorn-adorned mic stand added a touch of symbolism to the visceral emotion in Wishing Wells, I sure hope that becomes a mainstay!

For long-time fans, the true peak came with a medley of tracks from their 2005 album, Killing With A Smile. Dubbed “Killing With A Medley,” the band shredded through Gimme a D, Anasasis (Xenophontis), Mutiny, Romance Is Dead, and Smoke ‘Em If Ya Got ‘Em, delivering an old-school breakdown mashup that left long-time fans grinning from ear to ear. The crushing weight of those early songs still reverberated in us all, even in a massive stadium, taking fans back to sweaty gigs at community centres and Seniors Halls. The old-school breakdowns hit just as hard, proving they’ve lost none of their intensity over the years. Next year will be the 20th Anniversary of Killing With a Smile, excuse me while I manifest a tour to hear that album in its entirety once again!

Midway through Idols and Anchors, Winston plunged into the crowd once more, orchestrating a massive circle pit before crowd-surfing back to the stage. Ben Gordon‘s drum solo tonight was mind blowing. It began with a soft, syncopated beat, perfectly in sync with the dancers’ sharp movements. As the tension built, mock Molotov cocktails flew, igniting the stage. With his rotating drum kit, Ben unleashed a powerful, aggressive solo that left us all in awe, showcasing just how far this band has come. The set flowed seamlessly into Chronos, a breathtaking number that featured a stirring strings intro and a guitar-cello duel, before the lights dimmed for Darker Still. The flaming Parkway Drive logo lit up behind him, casting an almost mythical glow over the stage.

The band brought the night to a momentus close with Wild Eyes, as the crowd united in chanting the “woah ohh ohh ohh” that echoed throughout the arena, cementing the night in memory. Winston reminded the audience that this was their biggest headline show to date, and it felt every bit as monumental.

Parkway Drive’s 20-year anniversary tour was more than a concert—it was a visceral, communal experience that left no fan untouched. The band’s sound remains as heavy and vital as ever, bolstered by production that was nothing short of mind-blowing. From nostalgic nods to their beginnings to the blistering energy of their latest material, Parkway Drive proved why they are still at the forefront of modern heavy music.

Flames, fury, and unforgettable moments—it was a night that will be talked about for years to come.

Make Them Suffer’s Suffer Forever Australian tour hit the UNSW Roundhouse in Sydney on Sunday night, marking their biggest headline tour to date. With Bloom, and two international supports in Spite, and Bury Tomorrow on the bill, this tour has been the talk of the town for some time, and we couldn’t wait a day longer!

After catching Make Them Suffer earlier this year as they supported Bring Me The Horizon and Sleep Token, I was very excited to see them continue the momentum and take the stage for their own headline tour. Sydney’s own Bloom kicked off the night, delivering a stack of tracks that set the tone perfectly. Tracks like Bound To Your Whispers and An Exit got the crowd moving, warming up the muscles for a big night in the pit. The band’s recent regional tour with Polaris has clearly sharpened their live show, and their performance was a brilliant opener, leaving the crowd energized and ready for what was to come.

Spite was up next, and their set was the one I was most excited about, especially after catching them on their last visit to Australia supporting Thy Art Is Murder. The Southern California deathcore band did not disappoint, delivering a ferocious performance. Frontman Darius took command of the stage with an intimidating presence that had the crowd in the palm of his hand from the moment he stepped on stage. Dressed in coveralls with hair obscuring his face, he unleashed a relentless energy that drove the crowd into a frenzy. Tracks like IED, Caved In, and Free for All kept the mosh pit alive and moving, with Spite proving once again why they’re one of the most intense acts in the scene. While it’s been great to see them twice in the same venue, I really hope there is a headline tour for Spite in the near future.

The excitement only grew as Bury Tomorrow took the stage. Having recently visited Australia just last year for their sold-out headline tour, it was great to see them back so soon. The British metalcore giants delivered a powerful set in support of their seventh album, The Seventh Sun, blending heavy vocals with soaring melodies from Tom Prendergast. Tracks like Villain Arc and Boltcutter kept the energy high, and frontman Dani Winter-Bates’ message of positivity touched the audience, as he swapped between praising the crowd for their support and ordering a pit to open up. Choke was a highlight of their set before closing out their onslaught with DEATH (Ever Colder). The band’s stage presence and musicianship were top-notch, making it clear why they have such a dedicated following. 

With the three awesome supports all wrapped up, anticipation for Make Them Suffer was at its peak. The band kicked off their set with Epitaph, and the room erupted. Despite a brief technical glitch that saw Bury Tomorrow’s visuals accidentally displayed on the screen, Make Them Suffer didn’t miss a beat. Their performance was a tirade of power and refined artistry, with the video wall adding a visual dimension that lifted the atmosphere to the next level. Displaying lyrics on screen was a particularly nice touch, allowing fans to sing along, even with newer tracks.

The setlist was a mix of fan favorites and new material, keeping the energy high throughout. After the powerful opener, Bones had the crowd headbanging in unison, followed by the intense Uncharted and the chaotic Vortex (Interdimensional Spiral Hindering Inexplicable Euphoria). The band continued to showcase their versatility with tracks like Ether and the live debut of Oscillator, both of which demonstrated their ability to blend melody with brutality. Oscillator was released recently on August 9, but that did not stop the crowd from knowing every word.

Ghost of Me and Soul Decay brought the emotion to the set, with Sean Harmanis and Alex Reade’s vocal interplay shining through. The Attendant, another live debut, highlighted Make Them Suffers evolving sound and created a haunting atmosphere, if this is what the new album has in store for us, it’s shaping up to be a great one! The crowd was kept on their toes with the heaviness of Hollowed Heart and the dark, brooding Blood Moon. Each band member on the stage are full of beans, each with their own personal style whether it be the shirtless running man moves, twirls or windmills, tonight had it all! 

A special moment came when Bury Tomorrow’s Dani Winter-Bates joined Make Them Suffer on stage for Contraband, adding even more excitement to an already raucous crowd. The setlist was rounded out with Erase Me, a fan favourite that had the crowd screaming along, and the ever favourite Doomswitch, which left everyone in the room buzzing with energy.

Make Them Suffer’s Suffer Forever tour has proven to be an incredibly important moment in the bands career, showcasing a band that has worked tirelessly to improve their craft, their visuals, stage presence and song writing. With a new album on the horizon, releasing November 8, and a tour that’s left fans across the country buzzing, it’s clear that Make Them Suffer’s legacy is only just beginning.