Karnivool were supported on their tour around the country by talented up-and-coming Melbourne band, Dead Letter Circus, who put on an extremely tight act despite the relatively short amount of time since their formation. Although their influences are clear, and front man Kim Benzie has evidently picked up most of his tricks of stage presence and delivery from Ian Kenney, Dead Letter Circus manages to slot into its own place in the genre, adding their own flavour to the mix.
Few fans were there specifically to see the support act, and did not appear familiar with the songs, despite the single Disconnect and Apply enjoying generous airplay on Triple J. What was most surprising however, and a credit to Benzie’s delivery, was how attentive the audience was. He went to great lengths to catch the eye of audience members and interact with those in the front rows and on the balcony, showing respect and voicing appreciation that we had turned up early to see them play. The rest of the band performed strongly, their musicianship so skilled, that the entire audience stopped their chatting and watched, rapt by the performance, then rushed the merch. desk afterwards to buy a copy of their self-titled EP.
It is likely that more merchandise would have been sold, however punters were parting with $9.50 for a beer, and head-banging is thirsty work. Karnivool fans had begun to play sardines in front of the stage very early in the evening, and weren’t moving for anyone, so the unusually long gap between bands had them bored and frustrated, not to mention parched, and chanting for Karnivool at least half an hour before they were due to play. Crowd impatience notwithstanding, there was a distinct lack of agro in such a mixed throng. After Thanking the audience, the light and sound mixers, (“You’re tops cunts”) Kenney, and Guitarist Drew Goddard realised that their mothers were in the audience as well, and made sure they dropped another couple of not-suitable-for-mothers expletives.
From the moment the sounds of COTE built up over the audience however, any ill-feeling disappeared and the wait and the discomfort were well worth it. Kenney’s beaming, infecious grin and exuberant dancing (and, wait, was that gurning?) let everyone know that he was ecstatic to be back in Perth and playing with Karnivool again. As well as songs from Themata, just released in the US and the UK, they played three new ones which will be on the upcoming album.
One of the new songs, which may have been called ‘My Realty’ but the band wasn’t telling, was just under 5 minutes long, had undulating guitar solos, eerie lighting, a Jesus Christ pose and desperate, demanding words shouted into what sounded like an empty room; “Say once more, say again, that this is the end”.
Of the two other new songs, one was called New Day, which was over eight minutes long and carried, for the most part, by Kenney’s beautifully tortured vocals. For this one the rest of the band toned down considerably to create an echoing, flowing atmosphere upon which the vocals could soar. The lighting was used to good effect, lulling and shocking the audience by turns, as the music demanded.
The other new offering was again, not named, was over ten minutes long and had a familiarity to it that made me wonder; could this be part two to Change? It certainly seemed to start in the middle. All three suggest that a new musical focus for the band involves greater use of ambient Prog. instrumental breaks contrasting starkly with the torrid metal of the band in full voice.
Of course, favourites like Fear of the Sky and Shutterspeed had fans jumping, air punching and shouting along, and the roar of applause at the end of each song was more deafening than the sound from the amplifiers. Their live version of L1fel1ke including inspired cover of Chris Isaac’s Wicked Game sent the audience over the edge of frenzy, and they didn’t stop jumping until the encore was over. After an hour long set, and many expressions of gratitude and love for the long support of the Perth fans, they said goodnight and left the stage, stood listening for a few minutes to the demanding and immovable audience, and then returned to finish the set with an awe inspiring performance of Roquefort, still powerful, despite being well worn.
Karnivool are going to be huge in the US, and it is good to see such a hardworking and worthy band finally achieving the success they deserve.
NiteShok
said ages ago