KARNIVOOL

Karnivool expanded on their debut "Themata" with this 2009 release by exploring some more complex songwriting and time signatures. The result is a very solid release with some moments of pure magic.

Right from the start we're treated to something a bit different. The opening track "Simple Boy" kicks off with a xylophone. Then we're hit squarely between the eyes with Jon Stockman's huge bass sound. Distorted and heavy, Stockman achieves a killer tone on this album and is central to the success of many of the tracks.

"Goliath" once again features a pulsating bass line with Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking delivering delay-heavy guitar and brutal power chords to create an intriguing sonic texture.

Vocalist Ian Kenny comes to the fore in "New Day" as the 8 minute epic unfolds. For much of the first half of the song, Kenny is prominent with some nice melodic guitar providing accompaniment. As "New Day" progresses the intensity ramps up before slowing again for the song's outro. In my experience this one has certainly been a crowd favourite live.

"Set Fire to the Hive" is a chaotic metal song. Steve Judd's percussion drives this beast and Kenny indulges in some vocal distortion as Karnivool reaches some of its heaviest moments on the album. One gets the impression the boys had fun tracking this in the studio.

Out of this chaos emerges a gorgeous melody in "Umbra". The layering of guitars is superb and creates a great atmosphere. Unfortunately this isn't sustained throughout the song - the vocal melody is not brilliant and the chorus is somewhat forgettable.

Things are instantly rectified on "All I Know". This is the song that really brought me into the fold as a Karnivool fan. It's amazing from start to finish. Stockman drives the song with an incredibly catchy bassline and the guitars sprinkle the appropriate textures on top. Ian Kenny is at his best with the vocals, and the lyrics are simply out of this world. The question of "Why are we here?" is asked as eloquently as one could ever hope to hear. These are existential musings at their finest.

The second half of the album is inconsistent, but of special mention are "Deadman" and 'Change Part 2". Both of these are definitely worth a look for prog fans in particular. They are 10 minute plus journeys across varying moods and styles. The final track incorporates the didgeridoo and some other instruments, a nice touch from an Australian band.

Overall Karnivool have shown more songwriting maturity with this release and some nice original touches. Combine that with some great rock moments and there's the makings of an album that's worth more than a few spins.

Karnivool's debut album occupies an important place on the Australian prog scene. In many ways they have become the premiere prog act in the country, and this album was where they made their first big splash.

The album kicks off with "C.O.T.E.", which happens to be one of my favourite Karnivool tracks. "Are you willing to choose what I have in my mind?" With that, Ian Kenny invites us into not only the song, but the album as a whole. The interplay of guitars in this track between Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking is, as always, something magical. I also love the guitar tone of both players on this album, especially during muted phrases. It's distinctive and powerful.

The title track "Themata" continues the high quality start to the album. Once again that guitar sound during the verse is fantastically chunky. Ian Kenny is also at his best here with the vocal delivery.

"L1FEL1KE" was the first single, released some time before the album, and eventually ending up here as track 6. It was the first Karnivool track I heard, which was some years ago, although it did not instantly grab my attention. I eventually came around to it and now regard it as one of the best tracks on the album.

"Synops" is another highlight. It begins with a brooding, mysterious sounding guitar and steady, reserved drum beat. There's some great production with accompanying effects, and then by verse two the bass and scratching guitar begin adding some impetus. It all comes to a head with the chorus as power chords join in.

Really, Karnivool were scratching the surface of their potential with this album, and we're now seeing them mature nicely later in their career.

Aus proggers Karnivool released a dynamic alternative heavy prog album "Sound Awake", reminiscent of Tool, Cardiacs, Live or Soundgarden. Many cite this album as their pinnacle, as it is consistent in quality and innovative approach. It is a lengthy album of almost 80 minutes of powerful melodic and inventive prog rock.

'Simple Boy' drives along on a powerful time sig, confident loud vocals of Ian Kenny, crashing explosive drums, and an infectious chorus. 'Goliath' starts in 7/4 then locks into a weird 6/4 tempo, before the more conventional chorus. The bass tones of Jon Stockman are incredible, with a fuzzy sound and this is complimented by chiming jangly guitar phrases.

'New Day' has a guitar rhythmic intro then some tempo beats come in over the relaxed singing style. It builds to a measured rock vibe, some reverb guitar motifs and a new feel midway through; "hey let's get lost in a crowd, I'll show you much more". The heavier guitars are welcome in the instrumental break and it sounds somewhat like Live, one of my favourite 90s bands, especially their masterpieces "Throwing Copper" and "Secret Samadhi" that they never topped.

'Set Fire To The Hive' is much heavier with caustic phased vocals and some aggressive guitar riffs. This sounds a bit like System of a Down in places. It is the band unleashing a furious attack of raw guitar and pounding drum and bass rhythms, complete with police sirens. 'Umbra' has a nice melodic intro with some complex time sigs to follow. The guitar crashes with high powered drum ferocity, but the vox are soft and gentle in contrast. The light moments are darkened with brutal guitar tones. The lyrics are thought provoking; "Imagine that everything's effected by a cause, well I don't feel so lucky you know" and "set in stone and blood, hold your promise." The ending is wonderful, with low guttural guitar splashes on an urgent drum beat that fade into a spacey tone. 'All I Know' segues seamlessly with an odd quirky riff and nice harmonised singing; "Are you with me, this is more than just infinity, I'm a soul taker, hey is this the end of all I know." The lead guitar break is very pleasant with sustained tones and it breaks into a Tool like rhythm. 'The Medicine Wears Off' is a short piece at 1:49, which is rather melancholy with outstanding singing from Kenny. It leads to 'The Caudal Lure' that veers into odd time sigs from 4/4, 3/4 to 2/4, and the drums of Steve Judd are intricate throughout. It has a rock feel and some blasting guitar riffs.

'Illumine' begins with sonic feedback and very distorted guitars leading to the verse; "don't listen, don't even hear a sound they make, it breaks you, words that haunt you while you're sleeping, you seem afraid, don't be alone." This has a nice melodic line and more commercial in sound then previous songs.

'Deadman' is the longest song at 12 minutes, with cool percussion grooves and rhythmic guitar picking. The vocals are well executed with lyrics such as; "Grab your belongings the exit is near, this can't be happening." The song breaks into a new time sig with faster tempos at the 4 minute mark, this leads to a glorious lead break from Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking. The jerky off sync guitar riff at 9 minutes is a dynamic touch, and then it moves to a low vocal and bells on this excellent highlight. The last section is gentle high register vox, and Pink Floydian guitar sounds. 'Change [Part 2]' is also long (10:47) and another highlight opening with machine grinding crushing guitar blasts. The didgeridoo is killer along with cool vocals and it moves to a section reminding me of Live at 3 and a half minutes in; "what a way to see this thing out, what a way to lay your burden down". The low grinding drone has a Tool sound and the way it blazes into the odd riff sig. The drum solo at the end by Judd is fantastic.

'Roquefort' closes the album with a bright riff and very low end bass, and the vocals are more aggressive. It is more of an FM radio track than others but finishes on a rocker with melody and heavy riffs.

Overall "Sound Awake" is a very dynamic and powerful album that will resonate with fans of Tool yet Karnivool inject their own style with some passion and fire. The riffs are ever changing along with tempo shifts, and the mood throughout is consistent with a dark edge and moody atmospheres. It is an excellent lengthy journey and showcases the best of Australian music at its most alternative and progressive.

9/10

Good .. pretty good. It's always nice to see a band with a sound so fresh and catchy. Prepare for aggressiveness, poignancy, weight and skills Karnivool. I've roamed this album for some time, and thanks to offers download could hear him (I know, it's illegal, but where I live is the only way to have access to the kind of music I like).

In his debut Themata 2004 Karnivool offered an dampened sound of alternative metal and even nu metal. Now in its sequel Sound Awake they bring us more progressive influences, although I use the words of the reviewer aapatsos and say that this album is "destined for the charts". The music here is consistently strong and heavy, though not without its moments ofoffering relief to the listener. The members, although young, have amazing abilities: Ian Kenny has a great voice, which is somehow appropriate for the band's sound (although I disagree with those who compare with Cedric Bixler-Zavala, both of them, despite having high voices, have completely different styles, even if you notice slight influences of the Mars Volta here), Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking shine on guitar, doing a job no less than exceptional, but are Jon Stockman and Steve Judd stars here, in my view, with low poignant (Stockman) and drums sometimes angry, sometimes melodic (Judd).

Of course, it is not a perfect work. I really have an implication for with Set Fire To The Hive, more because of its aggressively anti-religious lyrics (like a christian, I not see with good eyes) than because of his grunge sound, or whatever it is. Anyway this is just a needle in the haystack, thankfully. The material here mostly high quality - see the first two tracks, and Goliath Simple Boy (about this song, I have to highlight the rhythmic off-beats of Judd in drums), that really pulled me into the set. A few times I've seen as good a way to start an album! The brilliant All I Know is very beautiful, and the end of The Caudal Lure is pure ecstasy - not to mention the epics: New Day (a song incredibly lightweight and simple for her eight minutes), and closeners Deadman and Change pt. 2, which complement each other as perfectly as the first two songs.

Good? Very good. This album is amazing. Karnivool promises with its inventive and energetic sound!

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.

Karnivool is a heavily Tool-oriented alternative rock band from Australia. "Sound Awake" is typically an album that I would have loved to bits 20 years ago, but looking from 2012 I find it too safe and cliché to stand out. I also fail to see the prog rock qualities in here, but maybe the occasional odd-time Tool rhythmic and resemblance to Oceansize's later albums will strike a prog chord for others.

In comparison to Tool, the band enjoys some actual good vocals, not the rather tuneless wine from Maynard but an emo-laden delivery with a dynamic range and an ear for fitting melodies. The compositions however are rather faceless and there's nothing here I wouldn't relate to Tool (with some Soundgarden thrown in maybe). While I don't begrudge a band its influences, I do prefer artists that combine a larger variety of sources into something of their own. Karnivool sounds too much as if the last 2 decades of music didn't happen, and while the alt rock/metal of the early 90s is an era I very much enjoyed at the time, it's one I've grown rather tired with, more then anything else actually. Some songs stand out more then others but it doesn't have potential for more then an occasional listen as the album in its entity bores me. An overtly long album if that still needs to be mentioned.

I'd say this a good album for people that missed the alternative rock scene of the early 90s or that can enjoy a well executed revival of it, but it looks like I will have to strike a rare dissonant chord amongst the praise this album received. And some dissonance is definitely what I crave for after the 76 overtly melodic and emo alt rock clichés that this album holds in store. I'd say a solid 3 stars as an alt rock album, 2.5 from a prog perspective.

Agree with the comparisons to TOOL, THE MARS VOLTA (especially the voice of the singer), and, somewhat, PORCUPINE TREE, but would also add RIVERSIDE. An excellent album with some very fine composing and performances--heavy, subtle, creative and emotional. "Deadman" (9/10) and "New Day" (10/10) are classics in their own right, "Simple Boy" (8/10) and Goliath" (8/10) are great and exciting starters even though they sound a bit 'too familiar' (the TMV influence), "Set Fire to the Hive" (5/10) is my least favorite on the album--it's a bit over the top grungy for my tastes, "Umbra" (8/10) and "All I Know" (7/10) sound almost like amped up versions of 80's Aussie ICEHOUSE, "The Medicine" (6/10) and "Illumine" (7/10) are a bit too 'mainstream' metal, "Change" (9/10) is an awesome, powerful closer in the vein of the finest SABBATH, TOOL, BROTHER APE or RIVERSIDE has ever offered. This is definitely an excellent addition to any prog-lover's collection--especially if you're into the heavier, more-metallic side of prog. The only thing keeping me from proclaiming it a masterpiece is the many, many moments of over-familiarity. I think I'll let it percolate a little while longer before making my 'final' decision. Definitely worth checking out!

Anyone with the desire to peruse the progressive hard rock genre, named here on ProgArchives as "Heavy Prog," can see a clear dichotomy in the genre. On one side is the classic 70s sound, with thick Hammond swaths, overdriven guitar riffs, and a blues-rock based sound. On the other side is the more modern style, made up of the post-hardcore, punk, alt-metal, and other "modern" heavy rock bands that dabble in more progressive styles, most notable Porcupine Tree and The Mars Volta. While both constitute "heavy" prog, it's almost amusing how different the two styles can be.

Karnivool rose out of a Perth-based garage band formed by singer Ian Kenny in the late 90s. The band initially played a quite standard form of the nu-metal which had exploded over the past decade. The band, which gradually evolved over the years, released first the Persona EP in 2001, then the Themata LP in 2005, both displaying their rather average brand of alt metal. Finally, around 2008 something snapped. With the addition of Steve Judd on drums and John Stockman on bass, the band suddenly seemed driven to experiment with their sound. The masterful product of their mind-opening music adventure was their 2009 opus Sound Awake.

The sound of this album is hard to explain outright. The band, in their four year rest period from Themata, had obviously dabbled in countless different genres, ranging from atmospheric post rock and metal, jazz fusion, some kind of bass-heavy music, progressive metal, Porcupine Tree-esque psych-flavored hard rock and metal, and countless other experimental and progressive styles. On top of this, the quintet's chemistry as a compositional team exploded, as the album's fluidity and ease of transitions is expressed with ultimate grace constantly throughout the 75+ minute album. The crystal clear production and spot-on musicianship shines through the quintet's obvious passion and desire in their music. The harmonies, communication, and liquid nature of the music is perfect. Whether they are gently floating down melodically dense passages, cruising through aggressive sections of near metallic fury, the band is accurate in every attempt they make at composition.

Similar to the majestic Australian countryside, Sound Awake takes the listener on a musical journey, travelling across Outback plains of sand and stone, cityscape vistas of metropolitan chaos, and oceanic masses of majestic beauty. With dynamic like the beauteous soundscapes and post-rock inspired "New Day," the fast-paced and ferocious "Set Fire to the Hive," the epic grandeur of the 20-minute duo of "Deadman" and "Change," and every delicious second that lies out and in between, this album certainly has its share of masterful beauty. And while the band has technically been around for over a decade, this sophomore release certainly shows the band's alarming amount of maturity in music.

Speechlessness is most likely my first reaction on a simple perusal listen of the album. At first I thought a 76 minute album by this (at the time) unknown Australian band may have been a bit too daunting for one digestion, but I was quickly proven wrong by this breathtaking album. The consistent quality, constant pleasure, and commanding masterfulness of the album make it easily one of the best new releases by one of the "modern" heavy prog band. While at the time of this review's authorship Karnivool have yet to release a new album, many are eagerly awaiting more of this delicious formula, and understandably so. Highly recommended. 5 stars.

Awake but still forgotten

Introduction

This is the 1st time I write ''live'' on progarchieves (I'm used to write offline on a txt file before posting a review), anyway let's go straight to the reason why I'm here! Karnivool are almost unknown outside of Australia, founding this album was a mere coincidence and well...

Main Theme

... let's say I've got luck. Karnivool's music is a bit heavier than other heavy prog groups: you'll find that listening to the strong Goliath, which remark the inspirations of the band, anyway powerfull but still enjoyable, while the opener and New Day follow a more delicate & dynamical sound, excellent lyrics, and lots of atmospheres in Umbra (great drum opening), while the catchy All I know get a great conclusion (powerfull almost as Goliath), there is time for another demonstration in The Caudal Lure which remark the openings. The last two song are the longest and bring to the listener a more complex structure while Deadman dances between the powerfull of drums and a spacey guitar, Changes works more on vocals & atmospheres, while drums & guitar become more a support (apart from the solo drum in the middle, quite useless for me)...

Coda

... there are some weak points in the album: the grunge of Set Fire to the Hive is the lowest part of this work, while dark atmosphere of Illumine trow away the good balance kept for the entire album. Listening to it I've found some ''inspiration'' from other groups (Tools almost, while someone say TMV without any reason - no experimentation here sorry!), the great passages on main tracks keep this work over the 4 stars but I cannot call it masterpiece, since 4.5 rounded down.

Tool...Mars Volta...A Perfect Circle are real and evident on this 2009 release by Karnivool. It is pretty obvious where their influences lie. Just listen to the 12 minute track "Deadman". Could have fit very well on AENIMA by Tool, or FRANCIS THE MUTE by The Mars Volta. Not to say there is any actual copying going on here! This is great music and compares favorably to the above mentioned giants of Hard Prog. Best tunes: "Deadman", "New Day", and "SImple Boy". Great and interesting compositions with lots of cool buildups to harder sounds and good lyrics and melodies. Everthing a band needs to make it in the world of heavy progging. 4 stars but I may revise it later as I listen to it more. It is a grower...