Review: Benjamin Coe
Photography: Dan Maynard

Friday night in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley and the grand Music Hall that stands towering in Brunswick Street Mall is littered with thousands of eager punters, all dying to lay their eyes on the almighty Aussie prog legends Karnivool, who have come out of hibernation once again to embark on a rather large trek across selected parts of the world.

Brisbane is the first show on this massive tour and the crowd are here for every second of it. As they all pour into the venue, Adelaide hardcore outfit Sleep Talk take to the stage inside the strikingly amazing live room of The Fortitude Music Hall. “How’s it going Brisbane?” the band address the amassing crowd before launching into Salt of the Earth from last years Have You Ever Seen A God EP. They play with technical proficiency and constant smiles as they address the crowd once more to let them know how much they love playing live for their fans.

They’re a left-of-center choice for a support for Karnivool but by the end of their 45 minute opening slot that spans from their 2016 debut EP, Growing Pains, to their latest release, 2024’s Go Be Happy EP, they have definitely cemented their place on the bill and for sure have won over more than a few new fans. Closing out with Easy Stroke from the aforementioned Have You Ever Seen A God, they humbly thank the crowd for their time and attention and exit swiftly to make way for the main attraction.

After what feels like an eternity the lights finally go out and the crowd absolutely erupts as Karnivool’s drumming mastermind, Steve Judd, takes his place behind the well-lit kit. He is soon joined by his musical counterparts in guitarist duo Drew Goddard & Mark Hosking, technical bass magician Jon Stockman and frontman extraordinaire, Ian Kenny as they waste no time in getting proceedings underway for the evening with a thundering rendition of latest single All It Takes.

The rhythm section is in fine form as Jon Stockman furiously plucks at his wide-necked bass guitar while the awe-inspiring combined guitar work of Drew Goddard & Mark Hosking provides an intricately beautiful foundation for vocalist Ian Kenny to lay down his haunting melodies.

Cote follows, much to the crowds delight and receives one of the bigger sing-alongs of the night before the crushing bass intro of Goliath comes pounding through the venue speakers and takes the crowd participation to the next level.

The band are as good as they’ve ever been and even though it’s a been a while between appearances, you can tell they thoroughly enjoy being stage. Hosking stops between songs to address the adoring crowd and thank them for selling out the amazing venue they’re in.

Frontman Ian Kenny, as always, is a sight to behold as he dances his way through the expansive set ranging from classic tracks such as Mauseum & Set Fire To The Hive all the way to new songs such as Aozora & the amazing Animation which seems to make it’s way into all of Karnivool’s recent live shows. As the set draws to a close with the ethereal charm of Aeons from their most recent album Asymmetry the crowd is rife with anticipation for the classic closing song New Day.

The crowd is left breathless, their appetite for some new music from the Perth lads is more than satiated and as they exit the venue into the bustling mall, we all just hope that elusive new album is here sooner rather than later.