Karnivool

This was a much better balanced set than the set list from Koko last year. That set list set out to showcase the new songs from Asymmetry, which was released in 2013, but this 'divergence tour' seems to have a different vibe. It seems much more that the band wish to summarise and look back on their career so far, with their first album 'Themata' just reaching its tenth anniversary.

Opening band Monuments are the headline band that have been taking one of Karnivool's Aussie contemporaries, dead letter circus, on tour on their trips to England, and they put on a good show here. The riffing is monochromatic and rhythmic, as their djent roots dictate, but their is energy to be had from an excellent drumming performance, as well as a lead singer with an powerful and tuneful range. A decent warm up for the main event.

Karnivool take the stage for a 90 minute set that, as aforementioned, tries to cover the bases of all three of their albums since 2005. Their is a great reaction in the first third of the set to old favourites like shutterspeed and roquefort, but the biggest cheer is inevitably saved for the title track from 'Themata', with its soaring, unusual and addictive chorus. The mosh also starts to go harder at this earlier, more nu metal stage of karnivool's songwriting career.

As the set moves into the middle third focusing on second album, sound awake, the crowd adoration really starts to flow. With more of a nuanced blend of hard rock moments and thoughtful ebbs and flows, the songs start to lengthen and draw the listeners in in a different way. There are still a few diehards stepping on my ankle during some of the isolated mosh worthy moments, but the excitement has switched to the music, not just the energy. The band certainly seem surprised at the crowd singing the words to their songs back to them with such gusto,and respond with some magical musical moments in return.

After a brief rest, the final part of the show is devoted to four songs from Asymmetry. The brooding and powerful pair of alpha /omega and aeons (still a slightly puzzling choice as closer) sandwich the high energy pair of 'we are' and 'the refusal'. The progressive metal has definitely come to the fore by this point, and the band leaves the crowd wondering, having journeyed through their career retrospective with them, where they might be going next when they turn up on these shores.

A venetian really excellent night, and a band to watch out for as they continue to grow in stature. They have moved from the Scala in 2010 to the roundhouse in 2015. Where will the limit be, I wonder?

The hugely popular Aussie prog-metallers Karnivool certainly pull a large crowd, selling out stadiums the world over, and paving the way for others in non-mainstream bands to do the same- as guitarist Mark Hosking put it at a show in Sydney, "This is the time for independent bands, my friends!". Karnivool's particular brand driving drumbeats, staccato guitar riffs and clean vocals from frontman Ian Kenney is perfect when witnessed as one of many in a huge arena, singing along to every word. Kenney's awkwardly charismatic stage presence is epitomised by the earnestly theatrical belting out of his lyrics, grabbing his head in his hands or gesturing wildly to really make the audience feel every word he's singing. The level of musicianship of the rest of the band- on bass, drums and guitar- is just as impressive, resulting in note-perfect harmonies blended with heavy, thundering drum beats. The standout tracks at the Sydney show last year were the ear-devastating 'Themata', and the immense soaring hit of their finale, 'New Day'. They don't skimp on putting on an incredible light show either, which dramatised their whole headlining set magnificently.
Karnivool have come a long way from their local bar Nirvana cover-band days, and even bigger things seem to be on the horizon. An epic live experience!

I've seen these guys 17 times now, with a ticket to see them again when they support Deftones. They turn up time and time and time again and they deliver! They create music which is second to none.
Very cool bunch of lads.