Karnivool have recently released their third studio album titled "Asymmetry". Bloody great album, following in similar vein to their previous album "Sound Awake" - but with a touch more experimentation. [video=youtube;V_E5ae9ZTwk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_E5ae9ZTwk[/video]
This album is so fucking insane. There is so much going on, it's hard to comprehend some of it. This is what I wrote about each song as I listened to it the first time. Aum is an interesting introduction to the album. There is not much too this one. It’s a nice introduction, but it’s nothing too special and doesn't bring much to the table. Nacash gets us into Asymmetry. I really enjoyed this one. There is so much going on in terms of instrumentation, and it’s awesome. Some really cool “moments” in the song. It’s got a sweet ending, too. A.M. War is very interesting, and is another track with a lot going on instrumentally. I wasn't too sure I’d like the guitar as much as I did, but the vocals worked really well. We Are is just amazing. I really enjoy everything that is going on within this track. The ending I find particularly special. This track is even better with its music video. The Refusal wasn't my “cup of tea” the first time I heard it earlier in the year, but this time I can appreciate it much more. Love the vocals and the much rawer instrumental. Aeons has a beautifully calming intro and gets stronger as it moves onward. Karnivool has seemingly nailed the vocals / instrumentation on every track thus far, this one included. Asymmetry is where we come to meet the title track. Safe to say, this is a very odd track, but it’s also very intriguing. That ... thing is weird, but the guitars make it for it. Eidolon is very nice. It, following tradition, has very good vocals which, in my opinion, peak during the chorus. The bridge is awesome and definitely adds some flavor to the track. Sky Machine has a very interesting instrumental going for it, especially the drums. There are some moments that hit the sweet spot, both vocally and instrumentally. I particularly love the second half of the song. Amusia is like being in an alien spaceship, with some aliens rocking a guitar and drums in the background. It’s an interlude bridging the previous track with the following track. It’s cool, though. The Last Few has something going for which I really like; I think it comes back down to the vocals and instrumental. It gets really good as it reaches the middle of the song. It has an amazing little ending. Float sounds exactly like you would think it sounds. The brilliant, softly sung vocals float so well over the instrumental. It features a very interesting climax come the songs end. Alpha Omega has a very classic Karnivool feel to it, more-so than the previous songs have, thanks to the vocals towards the end of the song. It has a steady start but gets going at the midway point. Om concludes Asymmetry, and how beautifully it does it. The song rides on a beautiful piano with a sample of a man speaking about death, I believe.
I've been waiting for this album for years, building it up in my head and expecting something godlike. And Karnivool exceeded my expectations. Locked in as one of my favorite albums of all time and I'm contemplating if Alpha Omega is Karnivool's best song. Genius album that everyone NEEDS to experience!
[video=youtube;lP0l7iOY-dk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP0l7iOY-dk[/video] [video=youtube;3ASdhVB6MlM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ASdhVB6MlM[/video]
Update Trailer for new "Eidolon" video: [video=youtube;Cm0f3dSL92o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm0f3dSL92o[/video] Two live perfomances of the Special Edition DVD: [video=youtube;tYhjhvcy7xo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYhjhvcy7xo[/video] [video=youtube;asCwE3I3HCI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asCwE3I3HCI[/video]
I had the album pre-ordered the moment it was available in the US. That live dvd is amazing. I still listen to Asymmetry on a regular basis. Utterly fantastic album by an utterly fantastic band.
[video=youtube;q_XQSdf8GH4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_XQSdf8GH4[/video] Karnivool Live @ Luna Park Big Top, Sydney, 4 August 2013 YouTube Playlist Moshcam.com