Karnivool

Karnivool, much like a Decepticon, is a dynamic, progressive nu metal beast. Emerging from the partnership of Perth high schoolers Ian Kenny (Vocals) and Drew Goddard (Lead Guitar, Vocals) in 1997, Karnivool has taken time to form, having only released their debut LP Themata in 2005, after recruiting Mark Hosking (Guitar, Vocals) Jon Stockman (Bass Guitar) and Steve Judd (Drums) followed by 2009’s Sound Awake, the album that cemented them on the Australian music scene as one of the most inventive and expansive heavy rock bands around.

The feeling of musical appreciation was quickly apparent in the effervescent crowd that packed out the Corner Hotel on this, the first night of their 2 sold out shows. The crowd itself was a mixed plethora of individuals, ranging from hardest of old school heavy metal rockers, thru to new age hipsters, all of whom were coming together to experience the Karnivool, whilst it was in town.

Right from the moment the band took the stage, and the first prog rock chords of the night were emitted, there was a steady swell throughout the crowd, one that peaked in an explosion of cheer as the band burst into Goliath, the second track from Sound Awake, a song with an very apt allusion to the grandoise nature of Karnivool’s signature sound.

Simple Boy, New Day, C.OT.E and Roquefort were but a few of the epic numbers reeled off during the night, and each was excuted with precision, with the entire band performing very cohesively tonight.

A seperate tip of the hat must go out to frontman Ian Kenny, who divides his time between both Karnivool, and his other side project, of which you may of heard, Birds Of Tokyo? Kenny has to be one of the hard working men in Australian rock, but tonight he didn't let that show, energetically working the performance like the conductor of a choir of furies, and immersing himself into the sulphuric live renditions of All I Know and Set Fire To The Hive.

Karnivool also interspersed the set with a taste of a couple of new tracks they'd been working on (and i can say for sure that they will more than please many a fan, so stay tuned!) But the biggest moments of the night were saved their two biggest songs; those that unveiled Karnivool into the world back in 2005, which were the title track from their debut album, Themata and its awesome lead single Shutterspeed. During the build up and performance of these two songs there was such a deafening roar from both the band and the crowd that you could be forgiven for thinking that someone had unleashed a Rancor into the room, impressive! These were truly epic moments of rock, and the perfect summation of what it is that Karnivool do, that being that they go, hard! Enough said.

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