SOUND AWAKE

KARNIVOOL are an Australian band who play a dark and heavy brand of Alternative music bringing to mind TOOL, OCEANSIZE and early AMPLIFIER. A five piece band with two guitarists, a vocalist, bass player and drummer. Lots of guests helping out with mostly vocals but also viola, didgeridoo and percussion.

"Simple Boy" is a top three for me. It becomes heavy duty quickly as the vocals join in. The bass is massive here. A calm comes in but then they are kicking ass again late to end it. "Goliath" is also a top three. This one is very TOOL-like with vocals and huge bass lines. I like the guitar sounds early as they are experimental before they turn to riffs. "New Day" is one i'm not sure if i'm getting early on but it does get better. It kicks in hard after 4 1/2 minutes then settles back before 5 1/2 minutes. "Set Fire To The Hive" is experimental with processed vocals then here we go ! Cool section after 3 minutes then it kicks back in. "Umbra" opens with some atmosphere as the drums pound. It then builds before settling with reserved vocals. The tempo continues to change. Kicking it hard before 5 minutes then atmosphere only late as it blends into "All I Know". Drums and vocals kick in. This is surprisingly catchy. it settles after 2 minutes but not for long. There's something uplifting about this one.

"The medicine Wears Off" opens with acoustic guitar, percussion and reserved vocala. It kicks in after a minute then it ends with atmosphere. "The Caudal Lure" features some impressive drumming as the vocals join in. The tempo changes often. I like the sound after 4 minutes when the vocals stop. It blends into "Illumine" which sounds amazing ! Vocals and drums lead after 2 minutes and guitar before 3 minutes. "Deadman" opens with drums only as the vocals join in. It kicks in. Excellent sound 4 minutes in until after 7 minutes. Then it calms down. It starts to build before ending in a mellow manner. "Change Part 2" is my other top three and the closer. Love the deep and heavy sounds along with that dark vibe. Vocals join in as it picks up. It settles after 3 minutes but the tempo will shift often. Spoken word sample 5 1/2 minutes in until after 6 minutes then it kicks in again. Strummed guitar and reserved vocals before 9 minutes then drums a minute later as the vocals stop.

I initially thought this sounded too much like TOOL but that changed and they keep it interesting enough that i'm not even complaining about it being 72 minutes long.