Karnivool @ The Corner Hotel,Melbourne (09/06/2011)


Sun 12th Jun, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Perth prog rockers Karnivool have been around for over a decade. In that time they have only released two albums. Karnivool zealots (of which there is now an international army) have played Themata and Sound Awake more times than an eighties teen has played Pac-Man. They have climbed inside each song, claimed them as their soundtrack and learned something new with every spin.

When fans hear the Karnivool is coming to town, they scramble for tickets. This breeds the kind of live music experience that is rare and powerful.

Tonight’s show is here by popular demand after tickets to the first show disappeared almost instantly. The sold-out Corner is packed to the rafters; the atmosphere one of eager anticipation. Even before the band is due onstage, the punters have begun chanting their name- hungry for the action to begin. The crowd erupts as the band appears, picking up their instruments in the soft glow of the stage.

The energy intensifies by the second and as growling guitar and pounding bass signal the arrival of Goliath the crowd loses it — an appropriate opener, promising the scale of the show to come. From the first song, the punters join vocalist Ian Kenny, singing along word for word. They’re not here to simply listen; they’re here to participate. And even above the epic soundscape pouring from the stage, you can hear them- climbing with Kenny to choral heights.

It takes one single xylophone chime to elicit a roar of recognition from the audience as they prepare for the onslaught of Simple Boy. It’s a sprawling monster of a tune driven by John Stockman’s gutsy bassline. It’s songs like this that really show off the exceptional talent of the band. The beauty of the band’s sophomore album was its bold exploration of what Karnivool could do within one song. In an impressive display of audio alchemy, they took unique time signatures, tempo changes, bravely placed melodies and strange effects and created tracks that work. Watching them perform these complex structures live is a sight to behold. Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking impress on guitar with intricate and meaty riffs while Steve Judd’s drumming provides the perfect pulse for the set.

Of course, it’s hard to take your eyes of Kenny. From the moment he takes the stage, he has us in his grip. He never once severs his connection with the crowd. His almost spasmodic movement is captivating. He moves as though each song possesses him and he has surrendered control — like a puppet on a string. His face contorts, his eyes are wild, and he throws his arms around as though conducting the cacophony. Even more intoxicating is his mammoth vocal range. He growls, he spits, and then he sends an almost angelic falsetto soaring through the roof. He sings with utter conviction, pouring his soul into every song. During Dead Man the crowd and Kenny harmonise in a way that sends a tingle down the spine.

Other set highlights come when blaring sirens peel off into Set Fire to the Hive and the mosh pit hits fever pitch. And an impassioned sing-along during All I Know sees lyrics, ‘say it once more, say it again’ howled to the skies. Tracks from Sound Awake dominate the set, with Themata favourites C.O.T.E, Roquefort, and title track Themata added to the fray to the delight of the throng. We also get a taste of what’s to come with a new song, The Refusal. A heavy intro that sees Stockman add his vocals to the mix falls away into softer melodies, only to finish in barrelling thunder.

Roquefort finishes the set, but the quintet return to the stage in no time to give us more. They kick off the encore with a powerful rendition of Synops from their debut, but the night’s magic moment comes with New Day. As soon as Kenny sings ‘how did they find me’ the crowd cries out in appreciation and the energy in the pub shifts. It’s a rare moment to look around a room and see a group of strangers sharing a song that seems to have such personal meaning for them. Eyes closed, heads thrown back and arms raised, the crowd belt out the anthemic chorus and the band, feeding off the energy, seem to take the song to an impossible crescendo. Unforgettable.