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Fist2Face Band Merchandise » Karnivool » Sound Awake

Product Details
Single CD 

Sound Awake


  Artist: Karnivool
Associated Artist: Birds Of Tokyo
Product Category: CD Albums (Music)
Release Date: June 2009
CD Type: Single CD
Average Customer Rating:  

Product Price: $20.00

Qty:  

All prices are inclusive of GST.
This product was added to our catalog on Thu 14 May, 2009.

Track Listing
01.   Simple Boy 
02.   Goliath 
03.   New Day 
04.   Set Fire To The Hive 
05.   Umbra 
06.   All I Know 
07.   The Medicine Wears Off 
08.   The Caudal Lure 
09.   Illumine 
10.   Deadman 
11.   Change 


Customer Reviews
by AdamTuesday 20 July, 2010
Karnivool are not opposed to change. Throughout the years, their style has changed constantly to whats presented on their latest offering. The Perth rock outfit, formerly known for their dabbling in nu-metal infused alternative rock, venture into a more mature progressive rock sound with their second album in over ten years, Sound Awake. Never mind though, its worth the wait.
Through a long, enduring, and reasonably successful career, who would have thought Karnivool had yet to unleash their greatest assets? Opening the affair, Simple Boy unleashes Ian Kennys powerful, soaring vocals, which we only caught in glimpses on previous efforts. Rather than soak this eloquent voice with shredding guitars (see: Themata), a lazy bass line and ambient guitars propel Kennys voice to centre stage. Though slow, Simple Boy still shows their signature intensity, replacing reckless guitars with tense vocals. The five years between albums have been well spent, with the band honing their writing skills and learning to utilise their talents.
Goliath takes on a heavier sound which older fans may be more accustomed to (particularly Jon Stockmans notable presence on bass), but New Day confirms this to be a new Karnivool. Displaying one of the best vocal efforts from Kenny, he moves between quiet hums and epic, soaring choruses, before allowing the track to explode with intensity, guitarists Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking given the chance to flaunt their talent.
Though some may consider it out of place, Set Fire to the Hive moves the tension from the end of New Day into aggression. The buzzing of guitars along with crashing cymbals creates a hectic scene, unleashing the only real indulgence for those expecting another Themata. Umbra seals away the old Karnivool sound for good as ambience becomes the focus, taking cues from later post-metal efforts of bands such as Isis and mixing it with Kennys prominent vocals.
All I Know begins a distinct groove which dominates the second half of the album. Whether its the twanging guitars, catchy choruses or rhythmic drumming of Steve Judd, the latter songs on the album take a more resilient stance, shrugging the notions of angst in earlier songs. Flaunting their progressive influences with some off-kilter time signatures and memorable lyrics, songs such as The Caudal Lure and Illumine exploit the instrumental abilities of Karnivool, but they are only to be overshadowed by the closing two tracks.
Slow-building tracks being essential to the Karnivool sound, Deadman proves no differently. Judd is reduced to a slow, catchy beat to open the track, and quickly met with typical guitar riffing. Joined by the steady voice of Kenny, the song begins its wavering path through the twelve minute ride. Perfecting the conversions between soft and loud, lingering and dominant, Deadman is the composition of everything Karnivool have displayed throughout the album.
Sound Awake is a brilliant, epic journey. Karnivools ability to entwine progressive rock with accessibility draws a new audience to the genre whilst driving Karnivool to become one of the leaders in Australian music, and deservedly so. Even if it takes another five years, you can be sure Karnivools next release will push their musical boundaries once more. Whether or not they can top Sound Awake, well just have to wait and see.

Rating:  [5 out of 5 stars]

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